Anatoly Sharansky’s Hanukkah Menorah was confiscated in 1980 before the holiday was over. So Sharansky began a hunger strike. KGB Major Balabanov declared, “A camp is not a synagogue. We won’t permit Sharansky to pray here. He will not have it returned to him.” Major Osin, the camp director, heard of Sharansky’s strike. “Please stop,” he begged. “In the future, no one will hinder you from praying.” “Give me back my menorah, as tonight is the last evening of Hanukkah. Let me celebrate it now, and I shall end the hunger strike.” “What’s a menorah?” “Candlesticks.” But as documents had been drawn up; confiscation had taken place, Osin could not be seen to back down. As I looked at this predator, sitting at an elegant polished table and wearing a benevolent smile, I was seized by an amusing idea. “Listen,” I said, “I’m sure you have a menorah somewhere. It’s very important to...
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