A Visit to Moscow

A Visit to Moscow

Anna Olswanger

Yevgenia Nayberg, Illustrator

West Margin Press, 2022

71 pages

Grades 5-Up

Historic Graphic Novel

Olswanger recounts the true story of Rabbi Rafael Grossman, an American Rabbi sent on a humanitarian mission behind the iron curtain. In 1965 a group of American Rabbi's are sent to the Soviet Union to investigate the accuracy of rumors: are Jews being persecuted, and even arrested, for simply practicing their religion? The tour is hosted by a propaganda spokesperson and is carefully choreographed. Rabbi Grossman manages to slip away from the crowd and hires a taxi to take him to a mysterious address at a nearby location. The rundown apartment houses an acquaintance's brother from whom she has not heard in years and worries over. Is Meyer Gurwitz even still alive? To the Rabbi's surprise and relief Meyer opens the door, yet is acting hedgy. What is he hiding? The answer is both heartbreaking and hopeful and challenges the Rabbi to do what he can to help, if not all of the Russian Jews, maybe this one family.

Life in Soviet Russia was not easy, as seen in other books for children, such as The Genius Under the Table, but was particularly bad for the Jewish people, who were not allowed to practice their religion and who's children were "reprogramed" to be good Soviet citizens. This historic graphic novel, though serious in nature, will bring the story to generation of children (and adults) who may not otherwise be exposed to this difficult chapter in world history. Though appropriate to be shared with mature children, there is crossover potential for older audiences. The storytelling is clear and crisp, written in the first person, enabling the reader to walk in Rabbi Grossman's shoes. The illustrations, contributed by a Jewish Ukrainian-American artist, reflect the grim realities of Soviet life, especially in shape and color. Form and pallet shift as hope is restored and we see a future in the promised land. Serving in a town with a large Russian/Jewish population I know that this book will be an important tool for parents and grandparents to explain their past and why their heritage is important. Extensive backmatter includes an afterword from a family member of Rabbi Grossman, a historic overview of the plight of Jews in Soviet Russia, preliminary sketches from the illustrator, and an interesting author's note. Historic, inspirational, surprising, and entertaining, this is a slim volume that leaves a lasting impressing on the reader.