The lesser of two evils : Eastern European Jewry under Soviet rule, 1939-1941 / Dov Levin ; translated by Naftali Greenwood ; with a foreword by Mordechai Altshuler.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 304-337) and index.

Foreword / Mordecai Altshuler -- Preface -- Historical background. The sovietization of Eastern Europe -- The Jewish population of Eastern Europe at the dawn of World War II -- First reactions. Eastern Poland -- The Baltic countries -- Northeastern Romania -- Identification and integration. Jews in Soviet governing institutions -- Jews in elected office -- Inside the Communist Party apparatus -- Relations between the Jewish minority and the authorities and local peoples -- The economy and society. Nationalization and expropriations -- Labor market -- New patterns of livelihood -- Standard and quality of living -- Education and research institutions. Adoption of new patterns -- Curricula and teaching methods -- Sociopolitical functions -- Friction and manifestations of protest -- Institutions of Yiddish culture -- Cultural life. The press-pressed into service -- Literature and litterateurs -- The theater -- Religious life -- Refugees in a temporary haven. Refugee relief -- Recruitment for labor in the Soviet interior -- "Passportization" and its consequences -- Internment and deportation -- Lithuania as a gateway to the free world -- The ingathering of Polish refugees to Vilna (October, 1939-June 15, 1940) -- Soviet rule (June 15, 1940-June 22, 1941) -- Escape from Lithuania -- Emigration of refugees from Soviet Lithuania : contributing factors -- Afterword : the Soblen brothers affair -- The encounter with Soviet Jewry. Social relations -- Cultural relations -- Visits by authors -- Zionist underground activity. The underground press -- Internal structure and modus operandi -- Overview : the five stages of underground activities -- Summary -- Exacting justice with "hostile" elements -- The German invasion -- Conclusion. Implications of Sovietization on Jews living in the annexed areas during the Nazi invasion.