Soviet Jewry

Former Prisoners of Zion, aliyah activists, discuss plans for new Soviet Jewry heritage center

Heritage Ministry Director-General Itay Grank presented the ministry’s vision for the center, which would introduce younger generations to the history of Soviet Jewry.

Alex Silnitsky addresses a gathering of former Prisoners of Zion and aliyah activists at the Heritage Ministry in Jerusalem on October 5.
 Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy takes part in a commemoration ceremony for the victims of Babyn Yar (Babiy Yar), one of the biggest single massacres of Jews during the Nazi Holocaust, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv Ukraine September 29, 2022.

85 years later: Babyn Yar and the fight against deliberate erasure - opinion

FIVE JEWISH couples get married in Brazil on Lag Ba'omer.

Five Jewish couples marry in Brazil in front of 900 young Jews from former Soviet Union

 An illustrative image of an Iranian agent in the backdrop of an Iranian flag.

Iran’s 400% espionage surge in Israel: Rising threats and societal vulnerabilities - opinion


The role of ethnicity in Israel after 75 years - opinion

Only about 5% of Israelis rate ethnic cleavage as the main source of tension in Israel - stronger by far are tensions between Arabs and Jews or Right and Left.

 THE GROOM breaks a glass, the traditional conclusion of a Jewish wedding ceremony. We have witnessed a narrowing of ethnic gaps and greater intermingling of Ashkenazim and Mizrahim, perhaps most significantly in ethnic intermarriage, says the writer.

Law of Return: Grandchildren of Jews have Jewish blood - opinion

Let's look at the glass half full: For those who are confident of their culture, their land and their peoplehood, there is simply no fear, no trepidation and no worry.

 REVELERS WATCH a fireworks display on Independence Day in Tel Aviv, last year. Immigrant grandchildren of Jews will come to value a restful Shabbat and the excitement of Independence Day and will undoubtedly teach it to their own children, says the writer.

Israel must change Law of Return to save Jewish majority - opinion

Without fixing the problem of non-Jewish aliyah, the whole establishment of aliyah will be jeopardized. Desperate times call for drastic and creative measures.

 A NEW immigrant from North America kisses the ground upon his arrival at Ben-Gurion Airport. Coming from the United States, 21,000 people made aliyah in the past 30 years, approximately 94%, 20,000 people, are Jewish.

What will Avi Maoz taking over Nativ mean for former Soviet Union Jews?

Nativ has the authority to determine the eligibility of people wishing to immigrate to Israel from FSU countries pursuant to the Law of Return.

Noam Party leader Avi Maoz poses for a picture at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, July 19, 2021.

'Here We Are All Jews': How Western Jews worked to free Soviet Jewry - review

Anyone even remotely involved in the struggle for Soviet Jewry will find something in his book Here We Are All Jews with which they can identify or which will stir a memory.

 LIKUD LEADER Ariel Sharon speaks to Russian-Israeli immigrants from the former Soviet Union, in Ashkelon, 2001.

Jerusalem Highlights October 21-27

What's new to do in Israel's capital?

 ‘CUPBOARD’ BY Sveta Dorosheva; see at 'Baggage' opening, Oct. 27.

Daughter of Israelis makes US wrestling history with gold medal win

She said her “ultimate goals are to be a multiple-time world champion and an Olympic champion. There is so much more to do.”

American wrestler Amit Elor competes in Serbia, September 2022.

Simhat Torah: Russian-Jewish stories about the holiday - excerpt

Rabbi Jonathan Porath didn’t make countless trips to Russia. He counted them – 175 trips from 1965 through 2019. The following is an excerpt from his book centered primarily on Simhat Torah.

 ANNOUNCEMENT OF ‘Hanukkah in Siberia’ winter festival in Tumen, Siberia, December 1995.

Beata Parkanova's new film 'The Word' has universal appeal

The Word, which won the award for Best Director at the prestigious Karlovy Vary Film Festival this year, as well as the Best Actor award for its star, Martin Finger, is a delightfully complex movie.

 BEATA PARKANOVA: The audience loved our film at the screening, yesterday.

How to stay Jewish thanks to Zionism

Only after the Six Day War in 1967 did I become a proud Zionist. And through Zionism, I discovered the power of Jewish history, culture and tradition, and later in prison, religion. 

 PRISONER OF Zion Natan Sharansky with his mother after his release from the Soviet Union. He landed in Israel on February 11, 1986.