russian israelis

Ksenia Svetlova shortly after her arrival in Israel.

From Moscow to Jerusalem: My lifelong journey to becoming Israeli

When I arrived in Israel, 25 years ago this week, it was the first time I realized I was ‘Russian.’ I had only been a Jew and a Soviet citizen, or so I thought. By Ksenia Svetlova Aliya is a lifelong journey, and this week I’m marking 25 years since mine started. On August 8,…

By +972 Magazine August 17, 2016

The Israel-Palestine Lorde Diaries, chapter 14: Not alone

What can bring hope in times of weak spirit? How about a teardrop, a social network, a Russian soprano and a faithful ex-lover. Part 14 of 15. To read the rest of the series, click here. The war never broke out in earnest, but my mood was not quick to recover. One thing did brighten things…

By Yuval Ben-Ami March 2, 2015

Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman (Photo by Activestills.org)

Russian speakers are ditching Liberman: Where are they going?

Aside from the elderly, the Russian-speaking community in Israel is no longer throwing its support behind the Yisrael Beiteinu leader. So why aren’t the other parties capitalizing on Liberman’s loss? By Edi Zhensker Much has been written about media’s role in establishing the daily agenda in Israel: issues that the media decides to spotlight make it…

By +972 Magazine February 8, 2015

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Ksneia Svetlova (Photo by Yasmin Yaira)

Don’t call her the ‘Russian candidate’: Meet Ksenia Svetlova

An interview with the latest addition to Tzipi Livni’s ‘Zionist Camp,’ on the heavy price Israel will pay if it can’t solve the Palestinian conflict, how much Russian and Mizrahi immigrants have in common, and whether the Labor/Livni list will consider forming a new government with Netanyahu. In the Israeli electoral system, party heads often…

By Orly Noy January 29, 2015

An elderly Russian immigrant in Israel (Screenshot Social TV)

WATCH: In Israel, the ruble’s collapse hits hard for elderly Russian Jews

Today’s generation of older immigrants from the former Soviet Union worked their whole lives — 30 years in Russia and 20 years in Israel. Up until six months ago, their pensions from Russia helped them stay above water. Since the sharp decline of the Russian ruble, however, many of them are now forced to survive…

By Social TV January 3, 2015

A Christmas journey part 11: Granpa Frost & Snowflake

<< The Christmas Journey Home Petah Tikva – Ben Gurion airport – Ashdod – Givatayim, Merry Rashdistvo! I was hungry, walking at dusk into the city of Petah Tikvah from the Baptist Village. I took a peek into a a small Russian tavern. The looks of it didn’t really work my appetite, but something in…

By Yuval Ben-Ami December 21, 2011

September journey part 8: It makes no sense

Staying on the move in Israel and the Palestinian Territories through a month of trial. Who’d have thought I’d get shot in my mother’s hometown? I can venture a bit farther afield today, thanks to my truly beloved readers. So far my emergency fundraiser, following the disastrous effect a Turkish-Israeli diplomatic freeze caused to this…

By Yuval Ben-Ami September 9, 2011