A Gift for schools: online screening + Q&A of the documentary film Operation Wedding​

To honor of 50 years since "Operation Wedding" (the attempted escape of Jews from the USSR to Israel by "hijacking" an empty plane) - Former American activists for the struggle to free Soviet Jewry, now give a gift to 50 schools - online screening and discussion of the awards winning documentary "Operation Wedding", who reveals the story through the film director's point of view about her parents' story: two leadning members of "Operation Wedding" group. This 1970 event is considered to have initiated the movement for Free Soviet Jewry.

• Available in Hebrew or Russian or English or Spanish subtitles

LEARNING OBJECTIVES Through the perosnal story of Sylva Zalmanson and Edward Kuznetsov, we learn about the power of the citizen to change totalitarian regimes, about the importance of solidarity (their struggle would not have been successful without the struggle made for them in the free world) and the heavy price to pay to achieve change.

Watch the trailer

Relation to Hanukkah: The sentences were announced on Hanukkah 1970. Two of them were death sentences.

After seven days, the death sentences were commuted to 15 years in Soviet labour camps. Hanukkah miracle, and Hanukkah heroism.

Relation to Passover: At the trial, Sylva Zalmanson, the only woman at the trial, said, "Next year in Jerusalem." She knew she would receive a much harsher sentence for saying that, and indeed received 10 years in prison. Another strong connection to Passover was the major Aliyah from the USSR following the trial in the 70’s was called "Let My People Go."

Relation to Israel's Independence Day: On Independence Day 1979, five members of the group were released, after 9 years in the Gulag, and came to Israel to celebrate with the entire country.  Read more about the film

Gift courtesy of: 

Morey Schapira  ⚫ The Shirley & Leonard Goldstein Supporting Foundation  ⚫  Gail Raznick ⚫ Bob Gordon ⚫Sheri & Paul Robbins  ⚫   Peter Wexler ⚫ June & Ron Daniels  ⚫  Pam & Leonard Cohen ⚫  Lena & Arkady Rabinov ⚫ Daniel & Sara Palanker ⚫ Lev and Irina Bolotin

Thank you Jewish LearningWorks, our fiscal sponsor