By Hannah Levin – The Yeshiva World
Photos: Lenchevsky Images
On May 25, the United States Senate celebrated Jewish American Heritage Month by officially recognizing several outstanding Jewish Americans who have greatly enriched the fabric of American life.
Prominent members of the US Senate participated and heralded the accomplishments of this year’s honorees, including Lubavitcher Rabbi Hillel Zaltzman of the Chamah organization, and author of the book “Samarkand.” Rabbi Zaltzman received a special award presented by Senator Ben Cardin.
Zaltzman was born in Kharkov, Ukraine and fled the Nazis to Samarkand, Uzbekistan, where he grew up.
When simply being a Jew posed a grave danger, sixteen-year old Zaltzman entered the Jewish underground-whose mandate was to keep Judaism alive in the crosshairs of the KGB by carrying out missions throughout the Soviet Union.
Zaltzman immigrated to America in 1974. In his widely-acclaimed literary work, Samarkand, The Underground’s Far Reaching Impact, Zaltzman transports the reader to times gone-by, painting a graphic picture of legendary heroes by describing in vivid detail the fascinating story of the self-sacrifice of a small group of Jews who bravely fought the mighty, brutal Soviet regime, and prevailed.
10,000 copies of the book have been printed, and a new enhanced English version has just arrived in the stores. Although the book is geared toward the wider Jewish community, it is currently being read and enjoyed by non-Jewish readers as well.
Other honorees included Thomas B. Corby, President of the LA based Erwin Rautenberg Charitable Foundation, whose support has enabled the USC Shoah Foundation, Jewish Home for Aging, Holocaust Survivors Justice Network, and The JVS Scholarship Fund, Mrs. Ruth Lichtenstein, founder of Project Witness, recognized for her trailblazing accomplishments in the realm of Holocaust education and J. Morton Davis, owner and Chairman of D.H. Blair Investment Banking Corp.
This event was co-chaired by Greg Rosenbaum, whose leadership has greatly enhanced the Jewish Heritage celebrations on Capitol Hill; Hon. Norman Eisen, former Ambassador to the Czech Republic; Assemblymember Phil Goldfeder; Stanley Treitel, Co-Chair of the Wallenberg Commission; and coordinated by The Friedlander Group, under the stewardship of Mr. Ezra Friedlander who remarked that this year’s honorees, “literally represent the gamut of Jewish contributions to the United states, ranging from fighting for religious freedom, philanthropy, Holocaust remembrance and education, business achievements, civil rights, and successful integration of an immigrant community.”
Samarkand book is a must have for every jew, shilach and great gift to baalei batim
Rabbi zaltzman is a hero
To have lived such a dangerous yet fulfilling life – teaching others at great risk to oneself.
bringing these vivid stories to life for this generation.
This is a piece of chabad history part of our chabad heritage
The ability for chassidim non observant & non jews to enjoy it -is amazing.
The authors did an outstanding job.
A must read
This is a beautiful and really inspiring book. It’s easy to read with lots of different stories.
I gave this book to many of my Baalei Batim and supporters. It makes a great gift. A Very inspiring Gift.
Samarkand for me was the book to get a glimpse at real Mesiras Nefesh, and how we have people today walking in our midst which lived a real life of Mesiras Nefesh.
Samarkand can do for a bochur today what no Mashpia can, yeshivas and shluchim can benefit in a real way by bringing a Russian Mesiras Nefesh Yid to there Mosod.
Beautiful book. A must read for every lubavitcher, contains much of our history in Russia, and is an inspiration for growth in our current times.
This book is truly an inspiration for all ages! What an honor
A spellbinder. Filled with pictures. The reader feels like s/he is right with the author.
This represents a milestone for memory of history and CHABAD roots.
If you have not yet read his book. You must go buy it and read it! It should be on curriculum for every lubavitch school
THE BEST BOOK EVER- SAMARKAND!!!!!
A MUST READ FOR EVERY PERSON!!!!!
FROM YOUNG TO OLD!!!!!!