What does refusnik mean? It was an unofficial term for individuals, typically—but not exclusively—Soviet Jews, who were denied permission to leave the country. Over time, it has entered colloquial English meaning a person who refuses to do something, especially by way of protest.
For those who were high school and college students in the early 1970’s, it meant rallies, marches, fundraising events and clandestine trips to bring strength to the thousands of Jews imprisoned in the Soviet Union. But what is the relevance today? The Soviet Union has fallen. The cruelty of Stalin and his successors is no longer and the Jewish prisoners have been freed.
Rabbi Howard Bald, Head of High School was thrilled to welcome Rabbi Yosef Mendelevich to Hillel Yeshiva. He said, “Rabbi Mendelevich is a modern Jewish hero. Although he is diminutive in stature, he is gigantic in determination, courage and perseverance. He, and other refusniks like him, stood up to the Soviet regime and although they might have weakened physically, their wills could not be broken and their voices could not be silenced.
Rabbi Mendelevich addressed the students, faculty and guests. As he explained his path to Jewish identity, his determination to observe the Torah’s commandments, his attempts to flee the Soviet Union, his imprisonment in Siberia and ultimately his release and new life in our Jewish homeland, the audience listened intensely. He then spoke about his friends who were not as lucky as he, and compared the struggles of Soviet Jewry to the struggles of our ancestors as they left Egypt.
At the end of his remarks, Rabbi Mendelevich answered questions. Elliot Saka asked him what kept him going. Rabbi Mendelevich answered, “If I gave up, there would be no meaning to my life.”
Rabbi Bald asked why his book is dedicated to Senator Henry “Scoop” Jackson. Rabbi Mendelevich explained that Senator Jackson believed and fought strongly for human rights and was instrumental in instituting trade limitations with the Soviet Union in 1974 that eventually allowed 30,000 Jews to leave Russia each year.
Rabbi Mendelevich insists he is not a hero, just a regular Jew. He said, “I consciously aimed not to indulge in self-pity. I felt a sense of closeness to G-d, which granted me the vigor to prevail—one man versus all the forces of evil. That is the secret of inner fortitude. Thirty years later I am living the life of a free man in Israel.”
He told the students to be proud, strong, joyful and to appreciate the education they are receiving. It was a pleasure and inspiration to have this undeniably miraculous person speak at Hillel Yeshiva High School.
