Lapel Pins and Medallion Marking Support of Prisoners of Zion, and Objection to the Iron Curtain Policy, which Banned Jewish Immigration to Israel

During the Iron Curtain, many Jews suffered systematic and institution antisemitism. Soviet rules on religious activity prevented Jews from engaging in Jewish cultural and religious life, which largely contributed to the reasoning behind their denied permission to immigrate away from the ISSR. Soviet Jews who applied for an exit visa to leave the Soviet Union and were denied were called refusnik (deriving from the refusal haded down to Jews by Soviet Union authorities). Typically the reason behind the rejection was the alleged association with Soviet state secretes – Jews were viewed to be a security liability or possible traitors. Nowadays the term ‘refusnik’ is used in the english language as a person who refuses to do something, especially by way of protest.

Another way Soviet Jews suffered from anti-semitism in the time of the Iron Curtain was direct imprisonment or deportation when accused of being involved in Jewish activity. Pro-Israel activity or attempts to encourage immigration to Israel were prohibited in communist bloc countries and in the Soviet Union. Soviet Jews who were attacked based off their punitive Zionist activities were called Prisoners of Zion. From 1922, prisoners of Zion living in Israel are entitled to various benefits from the State.

Joseph and Connie Smukler who donated these pins and medallions to be exhibited at Anu Museum were very involved in the Soviet Jewry movement. Fighting to liberate Soviet Jews during the 1970s 1980s, the Smuklers helped many prisoners of Zion and refusniks to find freedom in the United States and Israel. Smulker was the co-chair of the first National Conference on Soviet Jewry that was held in Philadelphia as well as being active members in the Soviet Jewry Communist Relations Council of Greater Philadelphia.