NEW BOOK: "Be a Refusenik" by Izabella Tabarovsky

Now available! Author to speak at the Begin Center in Jerusalem, Jan. 5

David H.—If you aren’t familiar with Izabella Tabarovsky, you should be. She has been one of the most important voices exposing the Soviet origins of today’s antizionism (see examples here, here, and here.) She’s also a Senior Fellow at the Z3 Institute, and author of a powerful new book, Be a Refusenik: A Jewish Student’s Survival Guide, that combines her scholarship with interviews and great writing to produce a fascinating retelling of the story of the Refuseniks, the strategies they employed, and how those strategies are being put into practice on American campuses today.

By juxtaposing the stories of the original Refuseniks with the stories of young activists, the book brings those Jewish heroes from decades ago, many of whom were themselves in their 20s and 30s, back to life—while giving a wonderful guide to students who want to emulate their heroism.

It also acts as a great companion volume to Young Zionist Voices, which we published a year ago. Some of the students profiled in Be a Refusenik also contributed to that book, including Shabbos Kestenbaum, Noah Shufutinsky, Eyal Yakoby, Adela Cojab, and Alissa Bernstein.

Be a Refusenik is published by the Z3 Project together with Wicked Son books, and is available on Amazon here:

SAVE THE DATE: I’m delighted that Izabella will join me at the Menachem Begin Center, along with Natan Sharansky, on January 5, 2026. Stay tuned for ticket info!