Life Magazine, December 7, 1959. “New Agony for Russian Jews”.
The following photos are a rare sight – for the first 18 years of my life I haven’t seen a praying Jew; partly because most of the people I knew were not religious (at least not known to be religious); partly because all but one synagogue in my city were not functioning (one was a gym, another one housed some archives and who knows what else); partly because openly practicing a religion and especially Judaism which has visual attributes (head cover, facial hair) was not compatible with having a career and sometimes a job.
Jew wrapped in ragged ritual shawl w. phylacteries on head and arm praying in dilapidated synagogue. © Time Inc. Jerry Cooke
Elderly Jew at service in Synagogue.© Time Inc. Jerry Cooke
Hebrew students and teachers being instructed in the Talmud.© Time Inc. Jerry Cooke
Elderly at Hebrew services.© Time Inc. Jerry Cooke
Congregation at Hebrew services in synagogue.© Time Inc. Jerry Cooke
Old believers outside Hebrew Synagogue.© Time Inc. Jerry Cooke
Woman in synagogue using worn prayer book to follow service.© Time Inc. Jerry Cooke
Shopper in one of the three ritual butcher shops permitted to Moscow Jews is out of Kosher meat.© Time Inc. Jerry Cooke
Kosher butcher preparing to kill chicken for customer.© Time Inc. Jerry Cooke
Jews worship in chilly dilapidated synagogue.© Time Inc. Jerry Cooke
Orthodox bearded Jew.© Time Inc. Jerry Cooke