WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT US "For seventy
years a cruel and malignant Soviet policy aimed at the spiritual annihilation of Russian
Jewry's muted millions. They were denied study of Hebrew and of religious texts, practice
of the faith, teaching of the young, pursuit of Jewish culture, and freedom to emigrate.
SHAMIR combated this oppression by producing Russian-language texts of key Jewish works,
by helping Russian olim to settle in Israel, and by bringing light and hope to Soviet
Jewry in resolute unpublicized ways. Now that Russian Jewry is having a renaissance, and
Israel is absorbing an enormous immigration from the defunct Soviet Union, SHAMIR is
expanding its noble efforts, and deserves the support of all whose hearts reach out to the
Russian Jews.." *** "I am extremely
impressed by SHAMIR's extensive activities, especially its translation of basic Jewish
texts geared to new immigrants and to our brethren still locked behind the Iron Curtain
who are thirsting for information about their Jewish and Israeli heritage." *** "SHAMIR was
responsible for the preparation and publication of more than 200 books on behalf of
Russian Jewry. While a number dealt with religious and chassidic thought, the majority
were texts and educational works aimed at re-acquainting Russian Jewry with their cultural
roots….Special mention should be made to the SHAMIR Chumash, which is probably one of
the most important works published for Russian Jewry in the last several decades. It is a
classic today, used by Russian Jews of all ideological hues." *** "Wherever an
organized Russian-speaking Jewish community is found in the world today, its leaders and
teachers use SHAMIR books…'Jewish Tradition', the high school textbook published by
SHAMIR this year, is filling a vital need among youth in the CIS and the Baltic States
among whom SHAMIR has been active for long. We look forward to the continuing positive
impact of the seven-volume 'Encyclopedia of Russian Jewry'" *** "SHAMIR books
are found in just about any Russian-speaking home with the slightest sense of Jewish
identity. Television interviews in Jewish homes in Krasnoyarsk, Vladivostok, and
Khabarovsk show SHAMIR books on the bookshelves. To assess the significance of this
influence, such items should be noted as the rich Torah Library for the beginning
Russian-speaking adult, as well as more profound commentaries and popular books on
culture, history, biographies, fiction, books for youth and children, type cassettes and
videos. Jewish Tradition, a high school textbook especially written for 'second generation
Soviet Jews', the title which has been already tried out an approved by the Association of
Principals of Jewish Schools of the CIS and Baltic States. To a great extent, the
involvement in Jewish life and Jewish education in entire post-Soviet space is based on
SHAMIR books and activities. Over 10000 thank you letters to SHAMIR for its books from
Jews in Riga, Moscow, Petersburg, USA and Israel document the wide and profound effect of
SHAMIR books." *** "…The
SHAMIR translation (of the Siddur and Chumash) is precise and in accord with leading
commentators. Its Russian style is of a high scholastic standard yet contemporary and
fluent…Being personally familiar with the SHAMIR Publications, Siddur, Chumash,
Machzor, I can say without any reservation they are widely recognized as source of the
highest quality Russian language Judaica publications." SHAMIR |