Abstract

The article considers the modernization processes taking place in traditional Jewish education in the second half of the XIX century in the cities of the South Ukrainian region. Initiators of change was a governmental round who interested in a speedy absorption of the Jewish population, and Jewish businesspersons, the donor­foster part of the Jewish community. Them economic interests demanded greater integration in Russian cultural environment. The rapid pace of the reform were characteristic of large regions cities, primarily in Odessa, Yekaterinoslav, Yelisavetgrad, Kherson. External manifestations of modernization were the secularization of educational institutions, Russification, changing organizational and financial fundamentals of the Talmud ­ torus and cheaders and the creation of the Jewish state­owned schools. Significant phenomenon was the widespread development of professional (craft) educational institutions based on traditional Jewish education due to economic factors and the needs of the Jewish communities. Mastering the craft was sow as a way to survive and stay in school ­ as educational and useful social content children of the Jewish poor. Educational institutions contained community for funds box­tax and training for orphans and poor children remained pay­free. Local authorities were favorably disposed towards secular activities and modernization of traditional Jewish education institutions. Fast upgrading Talmud Torah intended for orphans and the poor and funded community and yeshiva. Slow upgrading was typically for private cheders was hold by melameds. The article also contains biographical information about some characters modernization processes, representatives of the Reformation in the formation of the wing margin. Since the beginning of 1880 processes of secularization and Russification were slowing, and the circle of adherents, ideologues, heads of educational change becomes an expression of national ­ oriented coloring. In general, it’s concluded that the changes have been economically and are determined to meet the needs of a certain stage of development of Jewish communities in the region.