Yosef Mendelevitch

Yosef Mendelevitch (or Mendelovitch) (Hebrew: 'יוסף מנדלביץ; born 1947 in Riga) is a refusenik from the former Soviet Union, also known as a "Prisoner of Zion" and now a politically unaffiliated rabbi[1][2] living in Jerusalem who gained fame for his adherence to Judaism and public attempts to emigrate to Israel at a time when it was against the law in the USSR.

Early on in Israel he headed an organization called Soviet Jewry Information Center[4] and has managed to attract followers to his causes.

When he moved to Israel, he became a globetrotting speaker on behalf of various causes, such as lobbying for the release of convicted spy Jonathan Pollard in the USA.

[7][8][9] In his autobiography, written in Hebrew, מבצע חתונה אסיר ציון he describes his struggle as a "Prisoner of Zion.

"[10] Mendelevitch has become a popular speaker in various Jewish communities and has spoken out on controversial issues relating to Israel and the former Soviet Union.