Topic: Former Soviet Union

Jul 5, 2022

In 1985, Ken Burns interviewed two 10-year-old boys on the boardwalk in Brighton Beach for a film about the Statue of Liberty. Nearly 40 years later, those two boys, Alexander and Yevgeny Vindman are speaking out in support of refugee resettlement in a new Ken Burns/New York Times short.

Mar 24, 2022

Although most of the millions of Ukrainian refugees are heading to Poland and other nearby countries, a number want to head for the United States. Getting to the safety of loved ones in America though, is deeply problematic.

Jun 17, 2021

Ilia, a gay man originally from Russia, has been able to restart his life in safety in the U.S. In this original video, he recounts his ordeal, his escape from Russia, and how he has “learned to be free” in his new homeland.

Nov 9, 2020

This Veterans Day, HIAS is highlighting the service of refugees in the U.S. armed forces.

Jan 27, 2020

One student tries to find new ways to get involved in the American Jewish movement for refugees and asylum seekers.

Jan 17, 2020

Bena Shklyanoy transformed her family history in the former Soviet Union into a play whose themes are connected to HIAS and today's immigration issues.

Feb 3, 2017

“Refugee status is not merely a stamp on paper; it's a state of mind and heart which forces one to risk it all for better life. We feel affinity and kinship to those in the same plight.”

Dec 23, 2015

Last week President Obama signed into law a massive $1.1 trillion bill to fund the government. Nestled deep in the bill was a small provision that makes a world of difference to families who are persecuted due to their religious beliefs.

Sep 30, 2015

Julie Smolyansky isn’t surprised that the idea of resettling thousands of Syrian refugees in the United States makes some people uncomfortable. She faced similar suspicion when her family was resettled in the United States from the former Soviet Union at the height of the Cold War.

Aug 13, 2015

“Despite how difficult it was in Kyrgyzstan, I never considered applying for asylum before I came to America,” Julia Vinsky said. She calmly described a childhood that involved beatings, broken ribs, concussions and even a kidnapping. She sums up her parent’s attitude succinctly: “you are Jewish, so this is how it is.”