Comment by patrickg_zill

First Soviet Politburo was between 80 and 85% Jewish. Jewish population was no more than 4% in Russia at the time.

Commissars (the political office) and Cheka officials had similar numbers in terms of representation.

Underlying reason included the suspicion that anyone Orthodox was tainted by secret sympathy for the Tsar or the Orthodox church.

Jews were therefore seen as trustworthy, having no alliance or sympathy for the Tsar, or for the Orthodox beliefs.