One of the driving forces behind the American Soviet Jewry freedom movement were college students. In 1964, the activist Jacob Birnbaum arrived in New York City, and soon became inspired by the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee to start his own student group dedicated to the plight of Soviet Jews. Birnbaum, who had himself fled persecution as a child when the Nazis rose to power in his native Germany, convened a group of concerned students from Columbia University, Queens College, Yeshiva University, and the Jewish Theological Seminary to help organize a rally in support of the refuseniks. He named the group the Student Struggle for Soviet Jewry, which became instrumental in igniting a nationwide movement. Narrated by Rebecca Naomi Jones and featuring Dr. Amy Fedeski.

Image: Union of Councils for Soviet Jews Bumper Stickers, Buttons, Prisoner of Conscience Medals, P-906.

The Wreckage is made possible by funding from the Ford Foundation.

Additional funding is provided through the American Jewish Education Program, generously supported by Sid and Ruth Lapidus.