Ten Years of Isolation

By Hillel Zaltzman

The First Years in Samarkand

Had he been caught? If he had not been seized by the KGB, where was he hiding?

First Sign of Life

Although I was a young boy, I thought, “Why did G‑d do this?”

Secret Meeting in the Dead of Night

It was hard to shake off the feeling of terror that had prevailed for so many years

Personal Regards from R. Berke

After becoming a legal resident, R. Berke was more relaxed, and he finally agreed to write a letter to his wife in his own handwriting to inform her that he was living among Lubavitchers and was doing well.

The Trip to Eretz Yisrael

After the family finally united, R. Berke began to think about the possibility of submitting a request to emigrate.

Joy and Tears Together

When they entered the embassy, they would be greeted by a small sign that read, “The Walls Have Ears,” and they would motion to them to keep quiet.

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By Hillel Zaltzman

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"Samarkand" tells the story of the Chassidic underground that operated in the Soviet Union, upholding Judaism during the rule of communist terror. Gripping narrative sweeps the reader to distant lands, and paints a picture of mysterious figures in Samarkand's alleys, secret Torah study under the constant threat of arrest by the KGB, and the long and hard fought victory in inspiring Jewish renaissance throughout the Soviet Union.

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