The Soviets charged the refugees exorbitant fees for the exit visas and travel expenses. The Joint and the Vaad Hatzalah provided funds for these costs, with Rav Avraham Kalmanowitz investing herculean efforts to ensure the Mir contingent were able to fund their escape. Many refugees sold their personal belongings. They then embarked on a 10-12 day train journey on the Trans-Siberian Railroad across the vast expanses of the Soviet Union, arriving in the port city of Vladivostok. From there the Sea of Japan was crossed and the refugees settled temporarily in Kobe and Yokohama.
The refugees received a generally warm reception from the local Japanese as well as the small local Jewish community. When it became evident that Curacao wasn’t going to be practical as a final destination, Japanese and Jewish activists interceded with the Japanese Imperial government to extend the refugee’s visas. As a result, the refugee community was able to remain in Japan for several months.
Cross River, a leading financial institution committed to supporting its communities, is proud to sponsor Jewish History Soundbites. As a trusted partner for individuals and businesses, Cross River understands the importance of preserving and celebrating our heritage. By sponsoring this podcast, they demonstrate their unwavering dedication to enriching the lives of the communities in which they serve. Visit Cross River at https://www.crossriver.com/
Subscribe to Jewish History Soundbites Podcast on: PodBean: https://jsoundbites.podbean.com/ or your favorite podcast platform
Follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter or Instagram at @Jsoundbites
For sponsorship opportunities about your favorite topics of Jewish history or feedback contact Yehuda at: yehuda@yehudageberer.com
Great American Jewish Cities #17: The Catskills
Tradition & Change: Rav Reines & the Lida Yeshiva
Sisters of the Revolution Part I: Emancipation & Assimilation
The Ruzhin Dynasty & the Age of Succession
Great American Jewish Cities #16: Los Angeles
A Fatherly Warrior: The Satmar Rav Part II
Great American Jewish Cities #15: The Five Towns
Echoes of Novardok on the Streets of Bnei Brak: The Steipler Story
Great American Jewish Cities #14: Miami
Brisk in the Holy Land Part I
Treacherous Brothers: The Yevsektsia Destryoys Jewish Life in Russia
Great American Jewish Cities #13: Cleveland Part II
Great American Jewish Cities #13: Cleveland Part I
Great American Jewish Cities #12: The Lower East Side Part II
Great American Jewish Cities #12: The Lower East Side
Maharam Brisk & the Hungarian Yeshiva World
A Lithuanian Mystic: Rav Shlomo Elyashiv
Great American Jewish Cities #11: The American South Part I
A Historic Campaign: The Chofetz Chaim Sefer Torah
Stories of Ner Israel Part II
Join Podbean Ads Marketplace and connect with engaged listeners.
Advertise Today
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The Hello Heaven Podcast
Rav Gershon Ribner
For Heaven’s Sake
The Nightingale of Iran
Unpacking Israeli History
Identity/Crisis