Remembering Victory and Preserving Memory – Victory Day 2025

Each year on May 9th, millions across the former Soviet Union and around the world mark Victory Day—the defeat of Nazi Germany. It is a day of deep pride, pain, and reflection, especially within Israel’s Russian-speaking Jewish community, for whom the memory of World War II is woven into family history.

Teen leaders at National Victory Day ceremony.

A million and a half Jews fought in the allied forces during the war, nearly half of them in the Red Army. Two hundred thousand never came home. These Jewish soldiers liberated ghettos and concentration camps, fought in major battles, and returned as heroes—only to face silence and erasure in post-war Soviet memory. Under Soviet rule, the Jewish experience of the war was minimized, the Holocaust unmentioned, and even the Jewish names of fallen soldiers forgotten.

In Israel today, we remember all of it. We honor the sacrifices and bravery of Jewish soldiers, and we remember the dual struggle: against fascism on the frontlines and against erasure at home.

Maya, a youth movement leader, speaking at Israel's National Victory Day Ceremony

Earlier this month, Dror Israel's associated youth movement participated in national commemorations across the country. Maya, a youth leader and speaker at the official state ceremony, shared powerful words:

"In the face of rising antisemitism around the world, and in light of the challenges we face today, we draw strength from your story. We will not flee, we will not be silent, and we will not give up. Our generation will continue to demonstrate the strength and values of our people. With faith and courage, we will educate future generations about your legacy and ensure a safe, just, and free future for the Jewish people in our homeland. That is the mission of our time."

Victory Day is not just about the past. It is about the responsibility to carry forward the memory of those who fought and fell—and to uphold the values they lived and died for. Through education and remembrance, we ensure that their story is never forgotten and that the strength they showed continues to inspire our path forward.