Former Soviet Union

Novel set in a war-torn Ukraine wins Sami Rohr prize for Jewish literature

Sasha Vasilyuk's novel is the second book by an immigrant from the former Soviet Union to win the 2025 Sami Rohr Prize for Jewish Literature.

 Books (illustrative)
 A barbed wire fence is seen on Zikim beach, in southern Israel near the border with Northern Gaza Strip, on April 5, 2016

A memoir of courage and love: British-Israeli pioneer living on the Gaza border - review

PROTESTERS CALL for the release of Palestinian activist and Columbia University graduate student Mahmoud Khalil in New York City, last month. On campuses like Columbia and in all levels of education, better Holocaust education is needed, says the writer.

The growing need for Holocaust education, as Trump's actions won't be enough - opinion

 RAOUL WALLENBERG’S parents, Maj and Fredrik von Dardel, are pictured with Wallenberg’s brother, Guy von Dardel (left), the father of the two authors of this open letter, in a rare private moment during the 1970s.

Swedish Prime Minister Kristersson must allow access to information on Wallenberg case - opinion


Alleged KGB report detailing encounter between Soviet soldiers ans a UFO resurfaces

Experts refute the authenticity of a report claiming extraterrestrial beings 'petrified' 23 soldiers in Ukraine.

 Column of the Red army infantry. Reenactment of the winter defensive battles of the Red Army in WWII. Image: Maria Moskvitsova.

Wars on two fronts: Russian-speaking olim on making aliyah during wartime - opinion

I am privileged to have gotten to know hundreds of Russian-speaking olim in their 20s and 30s through my work over the past 15 years.

 NEW RUSSIAN-SPEAKING olim celebrate Independence Day in the Jerusalem Hills this past year.

The enigma of Nikita Khrushchev: Unravelling the Soviet leader's views on Israel, Zionism

The story of the Soviet leader’s time in power, his policies against Jews, and his relationship with Israel and Zionism

 NIKITA KHRUSHCHEV (R) and Leonid Brezhnev wave from Lenin’s Tomb in Moscow after announcing that Khrushchev was resigning as first secretary of the Communist Party and Brezhnev was taking over the role, 1964.

Aliyah committee will be ‘home’ for non-Orthodox Jewish denominations, Kariv says - interview

The committee would also examine the issue of people emigrating away from Israel, which Kariv claimed the government was not concerned about.

 MK Gilad Kariv attends a National Security committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament on October 15, 2024.

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)

Putin says ignoring Soviet role in liberation of Nazi death camps is shameful

As Soviet forces pushed back Nazi troops in Europe in 1944 and 1945, they liberated a number of death camps, including Majdanek, Auschwitz, Stutthof, Sachsenhausen, and Ravensbrück.

 THE FRONT GATE of Auschwitz carries the infamous phrase: ‘Arbeit macht frei.’ The writer states: ‘Perhaps we as Jews are less alone in our grief than we may fear.’

A direct glance from painter Asya Lukin within the Israeli art scene

Her work has just reemerged for broad attention in a current exhibition at Rothschild Fine Art Gallery in Tel Aviv.

A PAINTING by Asya Lukin from an exhibition based around a single theme: hospital life.

Following Kuznetsov's example: Resist those trying to strip Jewish ties to Israel - editorial

The courage of those young Soviet Jews who risked everything for their identity is a powerful example for Diaspora Jews today.

 Man carrying a Soviet Union flag.

Love, faith, and unity amidst war: A rabbi’s unexpected wedding tale – opinion

A rushed wedding, strangers uniting, and a rabbi's journey reveal the power of faith and resilience across divides.

 The writer conducts a wedding ceremony.

New theatre production ‘Collective Phenomena’ reveals story of defiant Soviet-Jewish scientists

The director of Collective Phenomena, Semion Aleksandrovskiy, shared a little of this complex history via his own family story.

 ‘COLLECTIVE PHENOMENA’ director Semion Aleksandrovskiy.

'Not just a physical space': Activity center for new immigrants from FSU opens in Tel Aviv

Over Sukkot, over 150 young Russian-speaking immigrants gathered to celebrate the opening of the center, SSY stated. 

 New immigrants, many from the Former Soviet Union, gather to celebrate Sukkot and the opening of "the Dacha" activity center in Tel Aviv.