The Association was formed over 30 years go, with more than 1600 members at that time, all Russian-speaking immigrants from the former Soviet Union.
The Chicago Association of World War II Veterans is a non-profit community organization that brings together Russian-speaking veterans of WWII who come from the former Soviet Union. Now only about 120 members left: “frontoviki” (front-liners veterans), partisans, prisoners of camps and ghettos/Holocaust survivors, “blokadniki” of Leningrad. There is the Hero of Soviet Union (Geroy Sovetskogo Soy
uza), the only one remaining in the United States, many decorated officers who made it all the way to Berlin and those who were working back home in the Soviet Union on the production lines.
02/25/2025
📽️ "NATHAN-ISM" CHICAGO PREMIERE 📽️
After guarding N**i war criminals at Nuremberg, Nathan Hilu spent 70 years creating art from his memories. But what happens when those memories take on a life of their own?
In this captivating documentary, director Elan Golod explores how one outsider artist's work becomes both archive and invention.
SCREENING: March 15th at Chicago Jewish Film Festival
At the end of World War II, Nathan Hilu, the son of Syrian Jewish immigrants to New York, received a life-changing assignment from the U.S. Army: to guard the top N**i war criminals at the Nuremberg trials.
01/25/2024
Our Chanukah Celebration 2023 was absolutely unforgettable! 🕎🎉 And it wouldn't have been possible without the amazing support of our sponsor, the Peter Polsky Freedom Fund. We can't thank you enough for everything you do to keep our association's values and mission alive, and for making this celebration so special for our beloved members.
Our yearly gathering brings so much joy to our members, many of whom have been friends for over 80 years! It's truly a testament to the lasting bonds created through this celebration.
A big shoutout to Rabbi Eliezer Dimarsky for leading a beautiful and meaningful Chanukah lighting ceremony. Your guidance and presence added so much to the experience.
And let's not forget about our incredible friends, guests, volunteers, donors, and family members who were there to share in the festivities. Your presence made this celebration even more memorable Lifeway Kefir Alef Sausage & Deli Lazar Margolin Russian-speaking Jewish Division, JUF Sofia Juravel Julia Bikbova Allegro Deli
Last but certainly not least, we want to express our gratitude to our dear friend Alena Toropov. Your photography skills captured the magic of the event, preserving these precious memories for years to come.
Thank you all for being a part of this incredible celebration. We look forward to creating more cherished moments together in the future!
01/25/2024
11/19/2023
Happy 94th birthday to our esteemed member, Lazar Margolin! 🎉🎂
We extend our warmest wishes for good health and longevity. In this photo, Lazer is joined by his beloved wife, Valentina Margolina, who also serves as our president. Stay tuned for inspiring tales of their resilience, conquering adversity, and maintaining compassion, empathy, and hope throughout their lives.
Lazar Margolin
08/01/2023
Check out our incredible office desk transformation.
🤝 We're proud to keep supporting veterans in the Chicagoland area.
03/13/2023
We are incredibly grateful to our generous Sponsors and Volunteers who made it possible for Veterans in the community to come together this holiday season - Peter Polsky Freedom Fund, Lifeway Kefir, Alef Sausage & Deli, Allegro Deli Russian-speaking Jewish Division, JUF Alex Kislov Yana Feygan Julia Bikbova Alena Toropov. And many more wonderful supporters and volunteers who have made this special event possible! 🙏
The Chicago Association of Veterans of WWII joyously gathered to celebrate the winter holidays of 2022, singing songs, dancing, and cherishing one another's ...
12/30/2022
It was truly a heartwarming experience seeing veterans come together and celebrate the holidays! The Chicago Veterans Association would like to give special thanks to Peter Polsky Freedom Fund for their generous support in helping our mission. We are also eternally grateful towards all of those who have shown unconditional devotion, including sponsors, supporters, volunteers, friends and partners.
Let's ring in 2023 with even more kindness!
Wishing everyone health & joy this new year!!!
Russian-speaking Jewish Division, JUF Yana Feygan Lifeway Kefir Alef Sausage & Deli Allegro Deli Julia Bikbova Alena Toropov Reklama Media Company Sofia Jouravel Alex Kislov
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Contact The Organization
Send a message to Chicago Association of Veterans of WWII:
The Chicago Association of World War II Veterans is a non-profit community group that brings together Russian-speaking veterans of WWII who come from the former Soviet Union.
The Association was formed over 20 years go, with more than 1600 members at that time, all Russian-speaking immigrants from the former Soviet Union. Now only about 120 members left: “frontoviki” (front-liners veterans), partisans, prisoners of camps and ghettos/Holocaust survivors, “blokadniki” of Leningrad. There is the Hero of Soviet Union (Geroy Sovetskogo Soyuza), the only one remaining in the United States, many decorated officers who made it all the way to Berlin and those who were working back home in the Soviet Union on the production lines.
The Association holds social events that create a forum for the veterans to meet, discuss common problems, and help each other out. Starting in 2010, the Association has been getting some volunteer support from Chicago young professionals.
The main activities of the Association:
– Publish the book of veterans’ stories (fiction, poetry, non-fiction about previously untold/unknown accounts of WWII). Four volumes have been issued, in Russian only, and they are currently working on the next issue.
– Collect the information from the Chicago area Russian-speaking Jewish community about the relatives who have fought the N***s and perished during the War, so that the names are included in the Book of Memory of Jewish Soldiers published in Moscow and available for distribution in Russia, US, Israel, and former USSR states. The editors of this commemoration verify each record in the Russian National Archives in Podolsk, including the names of those previously considered missing in action. Many Russian Chicagoans have already submitted the names of their relatives thanks to the enormous effort of the Association’s officers.
