Photo, Young collective farm workers on carts. Birobidzhan, 1920s-1930s.

Under the May 7, 1934 decree of the All-Russian Central Executive Committee, the Jewish National District established in 1930 was given the status of the Jewish Autonomous Region. Jews started resettling to Birobidzhan in April, 1928. It was a difficult process due to the harsh climate making many people reject the idea of resettlement altogether. The photos of merry Jewish collective farm workers were to encourage more Jews to come and live in the far-away Birobidzhan.