Soviet Jewry

Yom Kippur War: How the Book of Isaiah spurred world Jewry to back Israel, refusniks in 1973

The haftarah for Yom Kippur begins with these action-filled words of Isaiah. We must act – we must cut the road through – it is up to us to clear the way for ami – My people – God’s people.

NEW YORK’S Jewish community marches beneath the banner ‘We shall not be silent’ during the Solidarity Sunday for Soviet Jewry demonstration in protest at the Soviet Union’s treatment of Jewish people, in New York City, in 1975.
Ilan Sinelnikov

25 ViZionaries: Ilan Sinelnikov - No. 25

Sasha Vasilyuk’s novel, "Your Presence Is Mandatory," was inspired by the story of her grand­fa­ther, right, a Sovi­et World War II sol­dier who nev­er talked about the war.

Her Jewish grandfather’s shame inspired a prize-winning novel

 IRANIAN JEWS prepare for prayer at the Abrishami Synagogue in Tehran, 2015.

From Tehran to Moscow: How antisemitic regimes weaponize anti-Zionist Jews - opinion


Jewish religious leaders' unsettling words disregard Israel's foundational narratives - opinion

We must be exceptionally delicate in our speech, careful to uphold moral integrity, and even more so, to avoid clouding or distorting our historical narratives.

 Jewish yeshiva students study at the Atert Shlomo Yeshiva, in Rishon Lezion, June 11, 2025

Life lessons: My Passover in Soviet unfreedom - opinion

The history of Soviet Jewish refuseniks demonstrates Jewish resilience throughout the generations.

 Hazorfim - Passover plate, the Linia collection, NIS 574

Khrushchev and the Jews: The attitude of Stalin's successor to Soviet Jewry

Between Stalin’s shadow and the Cold War, the Soviet leader both perpetuated and decried Soviet antisemitism.

 NIKITA KHRUSHCHEV during a meeting with Kiev residents, after the liberation of the city from the Nazi occupation, Nov. 30, 1943.

From Sinai to daily life: How small actions create lasting holiness - opinion

BEYOND THE HEADLINES: How parashat Mishpatim and mothers of hostages highlight the power of small actions in creating lasting impact

 Lena Troufanov (R) and Rabbanit Bazak (L)

What happens in Gaza, Israel the day after? Lessons from Soviet Jewry - opinion

“The day after” Gazans can take a page from the once impoverished Jewish survivors.

 Protests on Aza Street in Jerusalem call for the immediate release of hostages.

Grapevine: Happy birthday, prisoner of Zion!

Movers and shakers in Israeli society.

Natan Sharansky

Israelis with Soviet roots unite in solidarity in Tel Aviv amid the war

Limmud FSU aims to help Jews with roots from the former Soviet republics preserve their religious identity and unique traditions.

 Limmud FSU's Israel team of volunteers were key to the success of the annual Limmud FSU Israel event, Dec. 29, 2024.

The Moshe Castel Museum showcases paintings by Yosef Ostrovsky

In addition to being a consummate portraitist, Yosef Ostrovsky was also an extremely rare example of a Soviet citizen who became a quintessentially Jewish painter.

 At the opening of the Yosef Ostrovsky exhibition at the Castel Museum on December 18. From left: Hagai Sasson, the museum’s CEO; Meir Ostrovsky, son of the artist; and Yehiel Vaknin, deputy mayor of Ma’aleh Adumim.

Grapevine December 25, 2024: The key priority

Movers and shakers in Israeli society.

 FLAVIO CAIAFA (left) and Aharon Palmon, vice president for research and development at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

How Israel risks distancing the Russian Jewish community - opinion

After years of harmful rhetoric, Israel risks losing some major supporters in Russian Jewish businessmen.

Olim attend an event marking 25 years of the great aliyah from the former Soviet Union,  in Jerusalem in 2015. Do we no longer have the resolve to save Jews?

'Your Presence Is Mandatory': Connecting Ukraine’s past and present

Traversing time and geography through literature.

 UKRAINIAN WAR prisoner, guarded by serviceman of the separatist self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic army, awaits the next round of prisoner exchange, in Alexandrovka village