A group of rabbis traveled to the USSR in 1965 to verify the truth behind Soviet claims. Their journey revealed what propaganda tried to hide.

Students choose a person, event, or episode connected to the struggle for Soviet Jewry, gather reliable sources, check encyclopedic significance, and write a draft Wikipedia-style entry. Through the process, they learn how historical memory is preserved online, how to verify information, use sources responsibly, and write in a neutral, factual style.

Introduction and background on life in the Soviet Union in the 1970s through the perspective of a young girl. How to stay true to ideals und

Longing, identity, and the moral call to free our captives This interdisciplinary lesson explores the deep connection between Jewish poetry, history, and contemporary moral responsibility. Through Yehuda Halevi’s powerful poem “Zion, will you not ask about the welfare of your captives?”, students will trace the thread of Jewish longing for Zion across three key moments: Medieval Sephardic Jewry (Yehuda Halevi) Soviet-era Prisoners of Zion The Israeli hostages of October 7