"Masha Gessen's book 'Where the Jews Aren't' dives into the complex history of the Soviet Union's Jewish Autonomous Region, Birobidzhan. The book explores the lives of Yiddish author David Bergelson and historian Simon Dubnow, shedding light on their experiences and contributions to Jewish culture. Gessen critically examines Bergelson's alliances and actions, revealing his complex relationship with the Soviet regime. While Dubnow is portrayed as a more sympathetic figure advocating for diaspora nationalism, Gessen overlooks the role of anarchist Petr Kropotkin in the early discussions about a Jewish territory in Birobidzhan. Gessen's narrative touches on themes of displacement, loss of home, and the tumultuous history faced by these Jewish intellectuals. However, the book falls short in fully exploring the geographical and political context of Birobidzhan and its connections to larger Jewish nationalist movements."