Refusenik Rabbi Yosef Mendelevich: “A Fighting Jew”

By: Hannah C. ‘16
During the High School’s Friday assembly last week, Rabbi Yosef Mendelevich spoke to the freshmen and sophomores on his struggle to emigrate from the Soviet Union to Israel. At the time of Rabbi Mendelevich’s birth in 1947 in Riga, Latvia, emigration from the Soviet Union to Israel was prohibited. However, as a young man, Rabbi Mendelevich recognized the Jewish need to “become…a proud, strong nation” to combat the injustices around him. After being denied permission to leave the country, Rabbi Mendelevich and his fellow Soviet Jews sought an immediate escape from the Soviet Union. However, during one attempt, Rabbi Mendelevich was arrested and taken to prison. During his incarceration, Rabbi Mendelevich fought to maintain his Jewish identity in every way possible. Rabbi Mendelevich spent eleven tiresome years in prison until 1981, when he was released along with the many other Jewish prisoners.

Rabbi Mendelevich emphasized the importance of remaining a proud Jew in times of desperation. According to Rabbi Mendelevich, “nothing can withstand a strong will.” In his memoir Unbroken Spirit, Rabbi Mendelevich recounts the details of his unique experience. Currently, Rabbi Mendelevich lives in Israel and tells his story to many, emphasizing the importance of being a Jew. While many consider him a hero, Mendelevich does not think of himself as a hero at all, rather, merely a “fighting Jew.” Nevertheless, the BT students all appreciated the opportunity to hear this unique experience and learn another side of what it means to fight for one’s Judaism.
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Beth Tfiloh Dahan Community School

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Baltimore’s only Jewish independent preparatory school serving PreSchool through Grade 12.