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Shaul Kelner

Wednesday – May 6 – 7:00 PM

Shaul Kelner

7:00PM

Join us for a compelling exploration of A Cold War Exodus, as author Shaul Kelner examines the Cold War–era movement to free Soviet Jews from repression and isolation. Drawing on extensive research and firsthand accounts, Kelner traces how grassroots activism, moral urgency, and political strategy converged to challenge a global superpower—and how the struggle reshaped Jewish identity, communal action, and international human rights advocacy.

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About the Book

A Cold War Exodus is a powerful work of narrative nonfiction by Shaul Kelner that chronicles the dramatic struggle of Soviet Jews seeking freedom during the Cold War. Set against the backdrop of geopolitical tension and ideological repression, the book traces the grassroots movement that mobilized American Jews and allies to confront the Soviet Union’s restrictions on emigration. Through protests, political advocacy, and international pressure, activists transformed a humanitarian cause into a defining campaign of modern Jewish history.

Drawing on extensive research, firsthand accounts, and historical analysis, A Cold War Exodus reveals how ordinary citizens influenced global policy and reshaped American Jewish identity. The book explores the moral urgency, strategic debates, and emotional stakes of the movement, illuminating how the fight for Soviet Jewry became a catalyst for lasting political and communal change.

About the Author

Shaul Kelner is a sociologist, author, and educator whose work focuses on contemporary Jewish life, social movements, and the intersection of culture and politics. He is a professor at Vanderbilt University, where he teaches courses on religion, identity, and collective action, and his scholarship has been widely published in academic journals and books.

Kelner’s research examines how communities mobilize around shared causes and how activism shapes identity across generations. With A Cold Exodus, he brings scholarly rigor and narrative clarity to one of the most significant Jewish human rights movements of the 20th century, offering both historical insight and a deeper understanding of activism’s enduring impact.