Yosef Mendelevich

Interview:

The struggle for European Jewry

Tzvi Fishman speaks with Rabbi Yosef Mendelevich, pulling no punches about Diaspora Jewry's current situation and what the future holds in store.

Rabbi Yosef Mendelevich:

Who were the Cantonists?

A scholarly new book on a fascinating yet little known subject in the chronicles of Jewish History tells the story of the young Russian Jewish boys forcibly drafted into the Tsar's army for up to 25 years.

Holocaust Memorial Day:

Never say that this is your last path...

The story of where fate brought me in 1963 at the age of 16 when I was in high school. As an average Soviet schoolboy, I was far from Judaism in all its aspects. Jewish history changed everything.

Prisoner of Zion writes:

An open letter to Agam Berger

Dear Agam! I am not a "messianic" individual, but I interpret your name as an acronym: Or Geulat HaMashiach—"The Light of the Redemption of the Messiah." We have both experienced being held captive and both emerged with faith.

A messsage to Jews throughout the world

Dear brothers, face reality. Don’t fool yourselves. The city is going up in flames.

Emergency Conference to Demand Aliyah Overhaul

"Let's come together to figure out how we can better work together to help finally end this long and bitter exile” the organizers say.

A tale of freedom :Interview with a former Prisoner of Zion

Only a few decades ago, under the Soviets, Torah learning was banned, Torah scrolls, tefillin, texts were burned, Jews lived in fear.

The Leningrad Trial - a modern day Hannukah saga

The trial began on the first day of Hannukah and the accused's imprisonment lasted for years, but a miracle occurred along the way. Excerpt.

Iron Faith

As Rosh Hashannah nears, stories of faith and sacrifice that occurred behind the Iron Curtain and how the Jews of the USSR stood the test.

Russian Space Day, the Mimouna and me

The anniversary of Russia's space launch is celebrated in Russia, but I celebrate it as the day I was punished for keeping Shabbat. Op-ed.

Rabbi Mendelevich protests Babi Yar Memorial on Jewish Graves

Famous refusenik: 'I only want to make sure that no construction is carried out over Jewish graves.'

Will 'Operation Wedding' become a Netflix movie?

Today marks 50th anniversary of Operation Wedding when Yosef Mendelevich attempted to hijack plane to Israel to escape Soviet oppression.

An Israeli flag in a Soviet high security prison

From an illegal Jewish movement to a Seder in the Gulag

A tale of Jewish valor

When they come for us, we'll be gone

Ex-Prisoner of Zion: Terrorist strikers don't deserve anything

Rabbi Yosef Mendelevich attacks government's soft treatment of terrorist prisoners holding hunger strike.

'How to talk to Reform Jews'

Following Naftali Bennett's controversial visit to Conservative shul, Ex-Prisoner of Zion Mendelevich explains how it is done.