Unpacking the Jewish Revolutionary Ida Nudel

Once a loyal Soviet citizen and economist, Ida Nudel was inspired by a plane hijacking and transformed into a fierce advocate for Jewish freedom. Turned into an international symbol of Jewish resilience, Nudel’s fight against the KGB wasn't just for herself but for all Jews trapped behind the Iron Curtain. 

Big Ideas

1. Soviet Refuseniks attempted to flee the USSR but were denied permission to immigrate to other countries, particularly Israel.
2. Ida Nudel demonstrated, protested, and fought for the ability of Jews in the USSR to immigrate to Israel.
3. After being jailed and exiled to Siberia for her demonstrations, Ida Nudel was finally allowed to move to Israel.

Essential Questions

1. Why weren’t Jews permitted to move away from the USSR?
2. How did the USSR-Israel relationship contribute to the way the Soviet Union treated its Jews?
3. How do Jews stand up for themselves and for fellow Jews who are experiencing difficult times?