Khapper

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Khapper is a 19th century colloquialism that comes from the Yiddish word for catcher. The khappers kidnapped Jewish boys (sometimes as young as eight) to fill out a quota for cantonists, Jewish recruits to the Russian Army.

According to the policy of Nicholas I instituted in 1827, twenty-five years military service was extended to include Jews.

Khappers were employed by the Kahals to fulfill the recruit quotas imposed on the communities.