Witnessing History: The Wende Museum Symposium ‘Voices of Defiance: Soviet Jewry’

I’ve always wondered—what if I had the chance to meet historical figures and ask them what it was like to shape history, influence their communities, and change the future of entire generations? What kind of conversation would that be? Recently, I had the unique opportunity to experience it firsthand. The Wende Museum’s Robin Center for Russian-Speaking Jewry in Los Angeles, under the leadership of Dr. Justinian Jampol and supported by the Arcadia Fund, the Koum Family Foundation, Meyer & Renee Luskin, the Robin Family, and Alexander Smukler, organized the symposium “Voices of Defiance: Soviet Jewry and the Refuseniks” on January 26-27, 2025, bringing together activists from the Soviet Jewry movement, refuseniks, leaders of human rights organizations, renowned scholars, and community leaders to highlight and explore the enduring legacy of one of the most remarkable human rights movements of the 20th century. The evening before the symposium, guests had the opportunity to watch Laura Bialis’s outstanding film Refusenik, which left a deep impression and set the stage for the discussions that followed.

Photo credit to Sara Pooley, the Wende Museum (used with permission)

Attending this symposium was both an academic and personal experience for me. As a scholar, I had the privilege of speaking alongside those who lived this history—former refuseniks, activists, and American Jewish leaders who fought tirelessly for the right of Soviet Jews to emigrate. The movement not only secured the freedom of thousands of Soviet Jews but also reshaped global human rights advocacy, proving that determined voices can drive meaningful change.

Remarkably, this historic event allowed many activists, refuseniks, and family members of Prisoners of Zion to reunite for the first time in over 30 years. Their powerful stories, shared from the stage, resonated deeply with audiences across generations. Among the speakers were Richard Robin, Zev Yaroslavsky, Alexander Smukler, Marina Furman, Dr. Gennady Estraikh, Frank Brodsky, Alan H. Molod, Morey Schapira, and David Waksberg, Mark B. Levin—extraordinary individuals whose legacies are forever woven into history.

The panel discussions brought together leading scholars from the United States, Israel, and Canada—Dr. David N. Myers, Dr. Ann Komaromi, Dr. Shaul Kelner, and Dr. Michael Beizer—who explored new avenues for researching and teaching the history of the Soviet Jewish movement. Dr. Komaromi and Dr. Beizer announced the recent release of their co-authored monograph A Time to Sow: Refusenik Life in Leningrad, 1979-1989, offering important insights into this pivotal chapter of Jewish history.

One of the key highlights of the event was the announcement of the digitalization of physical archives at the Wende Museum, including the significant collections of Alexander Smukler and Enid Wurtman. Additionally, Julie Chervinsky and Dr. Brandon Schechter introduced the Blavatnik Archive, highlighting its rich resources for researchers and educators.

Special thanks to the Wende Museum team for this exceptional event: Dr. Justinian Jampol, Founder and Executive Director; Cara Megan Lewis, Deputy Director; Michael Balot-Garza, Head of Education; Christine Rank, Director of Collections; and all the dedicated members of the Organizing Committee.

Looking ahead, the Wende Museum, in conjunction with these archives, has inspiring plans—summer research institutes, scholars-in-residence programs, and school collaborations—all aiming to ensure that the history of Soviet Jewry remains accessible and meaningful for future generations.

For me, this symposium wasn’t just about studying history—it was about witnessing it, engaging with those who shaped it, and understanding its profound impact on the present. The Soviet Jewry movement was a testament to resilience, activism, and global solidarity. Its legacy is not just something to be remembered—it is something to be carried forward.