The Untold Story of Russian Jewry Revealed

Spanning three continents, the untold story of Russian Jewry’s heroic triumph over communism is now being meticulously saved.

Refusniks, US and Israeli government agents, heads of Jewish organizations involved in the struggle for Soviet Jewry, and Chassidim who traveled incognito as “tourists” are providing testimony to save the story of a time which ended barely two decades ago, but absent quick intervention, is quickly turning into “ancient history.”

The My Encounter with the Rebbe oral history project has set out on an ambitious project to interview key players in the struggle for Soviet Jewry. Already interviewed have been Chassidim, Israeli government agents who worked behind the Iron Curtain, and many “nameless” individuals who were part of the dangerous struggle to keep the flame of Judaism alive. Many of their compatriots in the struggle cannot tell their stories, having been sent to Siberia never-to-return.

The project staff have researched dozens of tips sent their way, including many that were given by Chabad-Lubavitch emissaries across the former Soviet Union. One of the more unique interviews already conducted was with Mrs. Rosa Melamed, who recalled the 10 day stay of the Previous Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, of righteous memory when he stayed in her home. Her father was the Schochet in Kastroma, where the Previous Rebbe was sent by his Soviet

The My Encounter with the Rebbe team asks for your help in locating more stories. If you have any ideas of important interviews to be recorded, please contact ycagen@jemedia.org.