How did the Jews contribute to the victory in World War II?

Leadership of the American Forum and Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman Photo: jpost.com

The World Forum of Russian-speaking Jewry at a special event in New York dedicated to the Victory Day in World War II, spoke about the contribution of Soviet Jews to the victory over Nazi Germany, in the salvation of the Jewish people and the founding of Israel. The event was held as part of the annual conference of the newspaper. The Jerusalem Post - one of the main congresses of leaders of the American Jewish community and Israel in the United States.

Without a victory in 1945, the state of Israel could not exist, and the majority of world Jewry, the Jews of Europe and the Soviet Union, as well as the Jews of North Africa and Israel could be destroyed by the Nazis.

The Jewish memory of World War II is largely focused on the memory of the Holocaust. However, the Second World War was not only a story about the victims of the Jewish people, but also a story about the victories and courage of the Jews.

Jewish veterans of the Red Army. Photo: jpost.com

In particular, about one and a half million Jews fought in the anti-Hitler coalition. In many cases, the percentage of Jews who fought in the national armies was even greater than the percentage of Jews among the total population.

About 500 thousands of Jewish soldiers fought in the Red Army. About 120 thousands were killed in battle and on execution, 165 thousands were injured. In the POW camps, the Germans killed about 80 thousands of people. 150 Jews who fought in the Red Army received the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.

Approximately 550 thousands of Jewish soldiers fought in the US military during World War II. They served on all fronts in Europe and the Pacific. Of these, about 10 thousands of people were killed in battle, and more than 36 000 were injured.

Many Jewish soldiers took part in the liberation of the death camps. More 100 thousands of Jews fought in the Polish army against the German invasion. About 30 thousands of Jews served in the British army, including the Jewish brigade from Eretz Israel.

Victory Day over Nazi Germany is of great importance for the Russian-speaking Jewish community. Most families have parents or grandparents who fought against the Nazis, as well as family members affected by the Holocaust.

Every year on Victory Day, Jewish veterans of World War II dress in military uniforms, decorated with medals, and honor the victory over Nazi evil, no matter where they are - in Israel, the United States, Canada or Europe.

Today, approximately 2,5 million Russian-speaking Jews live in the diaspora. About 1,5 million of them live in the USA, Canada, Germany, Australia and in small communities in the UK and Austria.

These Jews immigrated there during the last 25 years, while more than a million Jews from the former Soviet Union left for Israel. Israel is the basis of their national identity. The Jewish diaspora is convinced that only a strong Israel can ensure the security and prosperous life of the Jews in the diaspora.

One of the most well-known organizations that work with the Russian-speaking Jewish diaspora is the American Forum for Israel. Its leaders see their main goal as strengthening the connection between the Russian-speaking Jewish diaspora and the state of Israel. In 2015, the American Forum achieved historic success, significantly increasing the representation of Russian-speaking Jews in the World Zionist Congress, the central body that determines the policies of the leading Zionist organizations.

“Today, global Jewry has a single cause - to support Israel as a strong, prosperous and undefeated country,” says American Forum Chairman Dmitry Shiglik. “Only a politically, militarily, economically and spiritually strong Israel will be able to ensure security for the Jewish people who live not only in Israel, but also in the Diaspora. Every Jew in every corner of the world knows that Israel is our safety net, the center of our identity and heritage, our culture and our spirit.”

Igor Branovan, president of the American Forum for Israel, says: “For Russian-speaking Jews in the United States, our connection to Israel is the basis of our Jewish identity. This connection is also very personal. There are very close ties with the Israeli Russian-speaking community - about 90% of American Russian-speaking Jews have close relatives and friends in Israel. When something bad happens in Israel, it affects us on a very personal family level. For us, supporting Israel literally means supporting our family and friends.”

One of the main supporters of the American Forum for Israel is the orthodox Jew Michael Gross, a famous businessman and philanthropist. He was born in London, not in the Soviet Union, and does not speak Russian, but is deeply convinced of the need to strengthen Jewish education and ties with Israel among American Russian-speaking Jews.

“We don't have much time left before we face the critical results of assimilation. Today, when anti-Semitism and its "more politically correct form", attacks on the legitimacy of Israel's existence and various forms of boycotts, rear their ugly head again, Jews must stand with a strong Israel. American Russian-speaking Jews do just that,” says Gross.

Also, the American Jewish Community Forum presented a message from the organization’s leaders in honor of the celebration of Victory Day in World War II.

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Jewish commanders before the Great Patriotic War. To the 70 anniversary of the Victory

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