Matzah Provision by Jewish Communities in the USSR in the 1960s – 1980s

The article examines the issue of matzah provision for Jewish religious communities in the USSR during the 1960s - 1980s through the perspective of Soviet bureaucracy. It analyzes the mechanisms of matzah production and distribution, identifying two main approaches: centralized (through state-run bakeries or community matzah bakeries) and private (home baking). Special attention is paid to the interaction between communities and the Council for Religious Affairs (CRA), including challenges in obtaining flour, meeting sanitary requirements, and financial oversight. Comparative method application reveals significant differences in the strategies of interaction between communities and the authorities in three regions. Using case studies of Jewish communities in Leningrad, Nalchik, and Bryansk Oblast, the article demonstrates how authorities restricted matzah production while communities adapted to pressure while preserving religious traditions. It is concluded that organizing matzah production was a critical task for the Jewish community, requiring extensive cooperation with state institutions and affirming its institutional role. The research draws on archival materials, including reports by CRA commissioners, supplemented with ethnographic data. This study contributes to understanding the everyday religious life of Soviet Jews and their survival strategies under state control.