Was born in 1908 in Donetsk, Ukraine, into a typically assimilated family of those times. Her mother, however, was a Zionist and wanted to give her children a Jewish education and to teach them Hebrew. In 1931 Raisa married the Zionist, Benjamin Zaretsky, who introduced her to Zionist activities. She started to participate in the movement as a youth organizer for literature distribution and other propaganda activities. She distributed hundreds of anonymous letters to the members of the “Politbureau” (the top Communist party officials), in which were expressed support of Zionism. In 1948 all Moscow members of Zionist movements were arrested but Raisa. remained free till 1950, when she was sentenced to 10 years by the “OSO” (Special Tribunal Committee). Released in 1955, she continued to fight for the freedom of movement and emigration to Israel. She left Russia for Israel in 1973. Her husband died in 1983.
