Since February 2011, Russians have refused to loan any artwork to American museums, fearing the pieces will be used as ransom for the Schneersohn books. The Hermitage in St. Petersburg and the Pushkin Museum in Moscow have effectively canceled all loans, the New York Times reported in January; American museums have been left scrambling for alternative pieces to fill major gaps in their exhibits.

Why Putin Refuses To Let the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s Library Leave Moscow – Tablet Magazine – 9/30/2013.

Who knew?

Who would have even bothered guessing?

The story has to do with the theft and disposition of Jewish property, first by the Nazis in Poland, then by the Red Army “during the Holocaust”, and then, allegedly, through holding by Soviet Russia, and insistence on domestic possession by the Russian Federation.

Putin has come up with a marvelous deflection and solution to the issue, but not all are happy with it.

The Tablet piece is a delightful article full of surprises, including a revelation concerning resident Hebraists in the Lenin Library throughout the Soviet Era, and it has served for diversion here at the end of a wonky day.

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