National activities after the War's file / תיק – פעילויות לאומיות לאחר המלחמה

1The attached documents present a historical mosaic dealing withJewish life in the Soviet Union and in the Baltic states under communist rule. A significant portion of the texts focuses onPolitical persecution of Zionist activists, as reflected in the personal stories of Yehuda Bogen and Razia Paletinsky, who faced harsh interrogations by the KGB. Additional sources describe the The struggle to preserve Jewish identity and the Hebrew language In the face of Soviet attempts at repression, alongside reports of the demolition of Jewish cemeteries in Latvia. At the same time, official press clippings in Russian are included praising the Achievements of the Revolution in Estonia and go out against exiled elements who oppose the regime. The combination of the various sources emphasizes the The tension between government propaganda and complex reality of the Jewish minority behind the Iron Curtain. In this way, the collection provides a rare glimpse intoPersonal heroism and immigration efforts of Jews who fought for their national and religious freedom.

The sources provide a complex picture of Jewish life in the Soviet Union in general, and the Baltic states in particular, focusing on the struggle for immigration, political persecution, and the Soviet propaganda system against Zionism and the State of Israel.

Key events in the sources

• The struggle for Aliyah and the activities of the Prisoners of Zion: The sources describe in detail the struggle of Jewish activists to leave the Soviet Union. The story of Joseph Schneider, who was arrested in 1957 for Zionist activity, possession of propaganda material, and photographing Jewish sites (H23-1f). Another case is that of Raisa Platnik, who was arrested in Odessa in 1970 on charges of "spreading slander against the Soviet regime" and went on a hunger strike in protest of her prison conditions (H23-2f). Also Reuven Eidelman Described as someone who struggled for many years to receive an immigration permit, until he was arrested and tried (H23-17f).
• Anti-Zionist propaganda initiated by the government: Events organized by the authorities to present a "Jewish front" against Israel were prominent. In 1970, a press conference was held in Riga at which Jewish scientists and cultural figures condemned "Israeli aggression" and Zionist ideology (H23-8f, H23-10f). An exceptional case is that of Valery Rychelev, a Jewish activist who immigrated to Israel, became disillusioned, returned to the Soviet Union and became a prominent voice condemning Israel (H23-12f).
• Commemorating the anniversary of Soviet rule in the Baltics: There is extensive reference to the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Soviet republics of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania (1940–1990). The sources emphasize the "economic achievements" and progress brought about by Soviet rule, while refuting criticism from exiles in Western countries (H23-4f, H23-6f, H23-7f).
• Destruction of Jewish heritage: The sources report the destruction of the ancient Jewish cemetery in Dvinsk (Daugavpils), the burial place of Torah luminaries, and the conversion of the area into a public park and industrial center (H23-16f).

Central places

• Riga, Latvia: A center of extensive Zionist activity and a focal point for government press conferences (H23-8f, H23-17f).
• Tallinn, Estonia: Mentioned in the context of the Soviet jubilee celebrations and the suppression of propaganda by Estonian exiles (H23-4f, H23-35).
• Labor camps (Gulag): Places like Mordovia and Kolyma are mentioned as places of imprisonment of Zionist activists (H23-1f).
• Holocaust murder sites: Salespils andRombola Mentioned as a reminder of Nazi cruelty, sometimes as part of a propaganda use to compare Zionism to Nazism (H23-10f).

Key figures

Jewish victims, activists, and intellectuals:

• Joseph Schneider: A Zionist activist and photographer who was imprisoned for his activities and distribution of Jewish material (H23-1f).
• Yehuda Kogan: A central character whose story is documented in the book "In the Claws of the KGB" (H23-1f).
• Raisa Platnik: A Jewish librarian who became a symbol of the Prisoners of Zion struggle (H23-2f).
• Reuven Eidelman: A sailor from Riga who fought for the right to immigrate (H23-17f).
• Nechama Lifshitz: A famous Lithuanian-Jewish singer who immigrated to Israel after years of performing in Yiddish under restrictions (H23-14f).
• Rabbi Yosef Rozin (Rogachover): One of the great Torah scholars buried in Dvinsk was in danger of being demolished (H23-16f).
• Vladimir Slpak: A prominent immigration activist in Moscow (H23-16f (1)).

Nazis and collaborators mentioned in the sources:

• Ervin Viks: Mentioned as having served in a senior position in the Estonian Security Police during the Nazi occupation and being responsible for the murder of thousands (H23-35).
• Alfons Rebane: Commander of Estonian forces that collaborated with the Waffen-SS (H23-35).

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List of sources

• H23-1f : A book describing the struggle and imprisonment of Yehuda Kogan and Yosef Schneider in the Soviet Union.
• H23-2f : An article about Raisa Platnik, her hunger strike and the legal battle against her in Odessa.
• H23-3f : Yiddish newspaper clippings including announcements about immigrants and inscriptions in Riga.
• H23-4f : An article in Russian marking the 50th anniversary of Soviet rule in Estonia, reviewing economic achievements.
• H23-6f : A historical and economic review of fifty years of Soviet rule in the Baltic States.
• H23-7f : Criticism of the Estonian exiles' propaganda against the Soviet regime in Estonia.
• H23-8-2f : Continued reporting from a press conference in Riga with the participation of Jewish public figures condemning Zionism.
• H23-8f : Report on a press conference by Jewish citizens in Latvia who condemn Israeli policies.
• H23-9f : Coverage of demonstrations throughout the Soviet Union (Moscow, Riga, Chisinau) against Israel.
• H23-10f : An article condemning "Israeli aggression" while mentioning the lessons of the Holocaust in Latvia.
• H23-11-3f : Press clippings in Hebrew and Yiddish about the hardships of life and anti-Semitism in the Soviet Union.
• H23-12f : An article about Valery Rychelev, a Jewish activist who returned from Israel to the Soviet Union and spoke out against Zionism.
• H23-13f : Interview on the subject of Jews in the Bolshevik Revolution and the rise of anti-Semitism.
• H23-14f : An article about the singer Nechama Lifshitz and her decision to leave the Soviet Union and immigrate to Israel.
• H23-16f-1 : Report on the demolition of the ancient Jewish cemetery in Dvinsk (Latvia).
• H23-16f : Photographs of Jewish activists and prisoners of Zion at meetings in the forests near Moscow.
• H23-17f : The story of Reuven Eidelman's struggle for the right to immigrate and his imprisonment.
• H23-18f : Military map and Yiddish newspaper clippings about the situation at the front and regional reports.
• H23-19f : Reports in Yiddish on the state of agriculture and preparations for winter in the Soviet republics.
• H23-20f : International news flashes in Yiddish about events in Europe and the Balkans.

– H23-1f

– H23-2f

– H23-3f

– H23-4f

– H23-5f

– H23-6f

– H23-7f

– H23-8f

– H23-8-2f

– H23-9f

– H23-10f

– H23-11f

– H23-11-1f

– H23-11-3f

– H23-12f

– H23-13f

– H23-14f

– H23-16f

– H23-16f-1

– H23-17f

– H23-18f

– H23-19f

– H23-20f

** end of National activities after the War files **

**Press to go back to Holocaust Table**