In Soviet Jewry Reborn, Asher Ostrin offers a rare, firsthand chronicle of one of the most dramatic Jewish revivals of the twentieth century. Written by someone who spent more than two decades on the ground in the former Soviet Union, the book traces the extraordinary rebirth of Jewish identity and community life after the collapse of Communist rule – an era when decades of suppression suddenly gave way to possibility, hope, and profound uncertainty.

Through vivid vignettes, personal encounters, and updates drawn from his field reports, Ostrin reveals the human stories behind this transformation: families rediscovering their heritage, communities rebuilding from ruins, and local leaders emerging after generations of silence. He also documents the global Jewish effort – coordinated largely by the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) – that helped revive education, social services, religious life, and communal infrastructure across the vast region known as the FSU.

More than a mere account of historical events, this book is a deeply personal reflection by someone who devoted much of his professional life to supporting Jews in distress, from Iran to Eastern Europe to the Soviet Union itself. Ostrin’s narrative highlights the resilience of Jewish spirit, the power of solidarity, and the enduring capacity of communities to rebuild even after decades of erasure.

Specifications

• Format: Hardcover
• Publisher: Gefen Publishing House
• Author: Asher Ostrin
• Subject: Jewish History / Soviet Jewry / Personal Memoir
• Genre: Non-fiction; historical testimony and firsthand account
• Binding: Casebound hardcover with printed dust jacket
• Language: English