#sovietjewry

Chai (חי) means “life”—a core Jewish value tied to survival, resilience, and identity. With a gematria of 18, it’s a symbol of luck, echoed in charity and blessings. From medieval amulets to modern necklaces, from Soviet rallies to Eurovision stages, chai and Am Yisrael Chai have become powerful declarations: we are still here.

On this day in history: Natan Sharansky, a Jewish refusenik, was freed after nine years in Soviet prisons on false charges of espionage. He endured brutal interrogations, solitary confinement, and hunger strikes—but never broke.

His release was a victory for the global Soviet Jewry movement and a testament to the power of resilience and justice.