EXPLORE
the story
The Refuseniks & Activists project
The Refuseniks & Activists project
brings together holdings from archives
brings together holdings from archives
around the world to tell the story of
around the world to tell the story of
Jewish migration from the Soviet Union
Jewish migration from the Soviet Union
(USSR) during the Cold War.
(USSR) during the Cold War.
The Refuseniks & Activists project brings together holdings from archives around the world to tell the story of Jewish migration from the Soviet Union (USSR) during the Cold War.
This project highlights the motivations,
This project highlights the motivations,
actions, and courage of the Refuseniks—
actions, and courage of the Refuseniks—
Soviet Jews denied permission to emigrate—
Soviet Jews denied permission to emigrate—
and the efforts of activists around the world
and the efforts of activists around the world
who lobbied on their behalf. Their stories
who lobbied on their behalf. Their stories
offer unique perspectives on the
offer unique perspectives on the
ever-relevant topics of Jewish identity,
ever-relevant topics of Jewish identity,
human rights, solidarity movements,
human rights, solidarity movements,
and immigration.
and immigration.
This project highlights the motivations, actions, and courage of the Refuseniks—Soviet Jews denied permission to emigrate—and the efforts of activists around the world who lobbied on their behalf. Their stories offer unique perspectives on the ever-relevant topics of Jewish identity, human rights, solidarity movements, and immigration.
PEOPLE
Millions of people within the USSR and abroad came together to challenge the status quo and fight for the freedom of thought, faith, and movement.
Refuseniks on hunger strike, 1970s
National Library of Israel
1
March attendee holding a Refusenik’s portrait, New York, 1980s
American Jewish Historical Society
2
Western activists visiting Moscow Refuseniks, 1970s
National Library of Israel
3
Refusenik at a nonconformist art show, 1975
Blavatnik Archive
4
Nonconformist art exhibit, artist Evgeny Abezgauz, 1975
Blavatnik Archive
5
Refuseniks Anya Essas and Rabbi Eliyahu Essas, 1970s
National Library of Israel
6
ACTIONS
Individuals and organizations around the world staged demonstrations and protests, offered material and spiritual support, and worked to influence policy.
Demonstrations to free Soviet Jews, Holland
National Library of Israel
6
Promotion for women’s protest event to free Soviet Jews
American Jewish Historical Society
5
Avital Sharansky at a demonstration for Soviet Jews
National Library of Israel
4
Solidarity Sunday sticker, 1984
American Jewish Historical Society
3
Demonstrations against Soviet repression, Italy, 1980s
National Library of Israel
2
Demonstrations in front of the Soviet Embassy, Paris
National Library of Israel
1
results
The scale of these efforts forced the Soviet government to allow hundreds of thousands of Jews to emigrate to Israel, North America, and Europe.
Send-off at the Moscow airport, 1974-1975
National Library of Israel
1
Formerly Soviet Jews arrive in Israel, 1980s
American Jewish Historical Society
2
NYC Mayor Ed Koch hosts Natan Sharansky, 1986
National Library of Israel
3
Congregants hold the Torah at a Moscow synagogue
American Jewish Historical Society
4
Ida Nudel receives news she can emigrate, 1987
National Library of Israel
5
United Jewish Appeal (UJA) poster, 1989
American Jewish Historical Society
6
THE CONTEXT
cold war
The story of the Refuseniks unfolded during a pivotal historical moment, when the United States and the USSR competed to export their political and economic systems to the rest of the world. Despite their ideological conflict, the two nuclear superpowers maintained a fragile dialogue that allowed for some movement of people and ideas.
Avital Sharansky and Iosif Mendelevich at the White House
National Library of Israel
Poster promoting 1987 rally in Washington D.C.
American Jewish Historical Society
Poster drawing attention to the fate of Refuseniks
American Jewish Historical Society
HUMAN RIGHTS
The movement to free Soviet Jewry was informed by other human rights campaigns taking place in the aftermath of World War II around the world, including the civil rights movement in the United States and the fight for individual rights in the USSR. Jewish activists learned from these advocacy efforts and formed wide coalitions that united different faiths and causes.
Poster lobbying for rights of Hebrew teachers in the Soviet Union
American Jewish Historical Society
JEWISH IDENTITY
The Soviet Jewry movement was crucial for redefining Jewish identity. For the Refuseniks, the desire to live as Jews was the motivation for taking the risk of applying to leave. For Jewish Americans looking to help their brethren in the aftermath of the Holocaust, the movement rekindled a sense of Jewish community and inspired new creative avenues for political participation. Activism reconnected Jews around the world to their culture and history, and forged many international friendships.
Chanukah pamphlets featuring Refuseniks, ca. 1979
American Jewish Historical Society
Poster promoting the Solidarity Sunday march, 1975
American Jewish Historical Society
Promotion for the Solidarity Sunday march, 1977
American Jewish Historical Society
IMMIGRATION
The story of the Refuseniks is about the exodus of Soviet Jews—it was the rejection of their attempts to emigrate, after all, that gave birth to the term—but it is also a story of immigration. Hundreds of thousands of Soviet Jews arrived in America, and millions settled in Israel. The story of their impact on their new homes continues to be written.
Event for new immigrants in Israel, 1971
National Library of Israel
MESSAGES OF SUPPORT
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Phil Friedman, Founder and CEO of Computer Generated Solution
Immigrated to the US in 1976 from Munkács, present day Ukraine, formerly Soviet Union.
Margy-Ruth Davis, Susan Greene, Zeesy Schnur, Carolyn Green
Former leadership and staff of the Greater New York Conference on Soviet Jewry.
Honorable Alvin K. Hellerstein, senior Federal US Judge, Southern District of New York
Traveled to the Soviet Union in 1974 to defend the rights of prisoners of conscience.
Rabbi Haskel Lookstein of Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun
Provided assistance and Jewish education to refuseniks on multiple trips to the Soviet Union 1970s-1980s.
The Soviet Jewry movement enabled the migration of hundreds of thousands of Jews, including my family, to escape widespread intolerance in the Soviet Union. The Blavatnik Archive is proud to partner with the National Library of Israel, the Center for Jewish History and the American Jewish Historical Society, and the Wende Museum to preserve this important history for future generations. I invite other institutions and people to join us in this endeavor.
– ALEX BLAVATNIK
Tailored Services.
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Tailored Services.
This initiative spotlights the power of individuals to change the world. The movement for the release of Soviet Jewry was probably the most successful 'joint venture' of the Jewish people since the creation of the Jewish state. It is a testimony of our strength when we are working together. It is important that one of the human rights successes is not banished to history. That is why I’m welcoming the initiative of the Blavatnik Archive in bringing together collections near and far to tell the stories of individuals who fought for the future of the Jewish people.
– NATAN SHARANSKY
Add YOUR STORY
The movement often focused on individuals and their personal efforts and struggles. We have taken a human-centered approach in compiling the archive, and we encourage our project participants to tell their own stories. We look forward to hearing yours!
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