Count Sergei Uvarov, the Russian minister of education during the era of Czar Nicholas I (1825-1855) was sent on a mission by the Czar to "Russify" the Jews through education reform.
Uvarov saw education reform as the means to assimilate the Jews.
Uvarov sought to reform Jewish education in Russia by introducing government-sponsored schools to the Jewish community. These schools would incorporate a non-traditional approach to Judaism. By replacing the traditional rebbe with Judaic teachers from the Haskalah (Enlightenment) movement, the Czar's minister sought to "enlighten" the youth of the shtetl. Uvarov saw education reform as the means to assimilate the Jews into Russian society.
While Uvarov's plan had the support of the Czar and the Maskilim (the Jewish promoters of emancipation), the Jewish community at large clung to their traditions and resisted. They chose life in the Jewish Pale of Settlement, with all its deprivations to the trappings offered by the Russian government and Haskalah.
To even attempt to reach his goals, Uvarov sought Jewish communal support. He set up a commission of two rabbinic leaders, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, (the Tzemach Tzedek) and Rabbi Yitzchak of Volozhin, along with two community leaders, and chosen Maskilim who supported the government's plan.
Uvarov summoned members of the commission to a meeting in St. Petersburg in May of 1843. Several years attempting to implement government schools had already passed. A few were established, but progress was very limited due to the lack of cooperation by the Jewish community. The minister nonetheless sought to accelerate the process.
The Tzemach Tzedek publicly expressed opposition to the aims of the commission, for which he was later arrested. Rabbi Yitzchak also had no intention of assisting in facilitating the new education system.
The meeting's proceedings were not recorded, except for one moment when Uvarov, presumably in a moment of exasperation, turned to Rabbi Yitzchak and asked derisively "why G-d ever created such a weak and despised nation." Whereupon Rabbi Yitzchak responded with laughter.
The rabbi explained that his strange reaction was on account of the fact that he had been waiting to hear such a question, for it was predicted by the Biblical Bilaam: "In due time, it shall be said to Jacob and to Israel, 'What has G-d done (by creating such a nation)?'" (Numbers, 23:23)
Reacting to the impediments to implementing his designs, Uvarov had probably expressed his frustration at the Jews and their obstinacy. His drive was to reform the Jews, and implement what he deemed was best for them, and of course for Russia. The Jews, for the most 
The Jews, for the most part, despite all the pressure, would not comply.
part, despite all the pressure, would not comply.
The Russian Minister Uvarov's derisive words were actually blessings. That tenacity, in every era, including those of Czarist Russia, has been a source of blessing, a component in the preservation of the Jews.
In the face of Uvarov's threats, and the dangers posed by the Haskalah, Russian Jewry pulled together. That is not to say that they were left unscathed by these immense challenges, but large segments of the Jewish community managed to maintain their values and educational system during that era and for decades to follow.
Non compliance might evoke the rancor of others. They may demand, accuse, coerce and even threaten, but ultimately there are times when there is no choice but to stand firm.