The Rosenberg Case

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Rosenberg Mentions of the Day

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On this World Art Day, sharing a sobering exhibition by artist and former fashion designer Nicole Farhi. Entitled "J’Accuse," the piece displays 25 busts of victims of injustices, serving time in... Read More
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Happy birthday to Paul Robeson, a man who was solidarity personified. He was a fierce civil rights and antifascist activist, a talented musician and a supporter of Ethel and Julius Rosenberg—he even... Read More
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On this day in 1951, just one week after Ethel and Julius Rosenberg's conviction, Judge Irving Kaufman issued the death sentence. Anne Sebba writes in her biography, "Ethel Rosenberg: An American... Read More

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As the RFC's spring granting period comes to a close, our staff and Board are hard at work reviewing applications from targeted activist youth and kids whose parents are ex-political prisoners,... Read More
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On this day in 1951 in a Manhattan courthouse, a jury found both Ethel and Julius Rosenberg, as well as their co-defendant Morten Sobell, guilty of conspiracy to commit espionage. In Anne Sebba's... Read More
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Ethel and Julius Rosenberg were wrongfully convicted and executed at the height of the McCarthy era—we understand the extreme danger of the current administration thrusting the U.S. back into the Red... Read More

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On this day in 1951 began the trial of Ethel and Julius Rosenberg, who were falsely accused of passing the "secret of the nuclear bomb" to the Soviet Union. Two years later the pair was unjustly... Read More
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Ali Abbasi's 2024 film "The Apprentice" tells the story of Roy Cohn—the prosecutor who helped send Ethel and Julius Rosenberg, wrongfully, to the electric chair in 1953—and his molding and mentoring... Read More
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We are incredibly gratified to share that on February 10th, Mass. Congressman Jim McGovern made a speech on the House floor to share Ethel Rosenberg's story and issue an apology to the Rosenberg/... Read More

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In her latest blog, RFC Executive Director Jenn Meeropol shares her enormous appreciation for the many kind messages she and her family received after the disappointing news that President Biden left... Read More
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As we reflect on a difficult, disappointing week, this lovely message from a member of our community to our Executive Director Jenn Meeropol, Ethel Rosenberg's granddaughter, brought us hope, and we... Read More
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We are deeply disappointed in President Biden’s failure to exonerate Ethel Rosenberg. This is both a personal disappointment to my family and a political one. Despite overwhelming evidence that Ethel... Read More

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The PBS NewsHour plans to cover the effort to exonerate Ethel Rosenberg this weekend! RFC Founder and younger son of Ethel and Julius Rosenberg, Robert Meeropol, will discuss the "smoking gun" in his... Read More
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In light of powerful new evidence in the Rosenberg Case, we are calling on President Biden to exonerate Ethel Rosenberg in these final days before he leaves office on January 20th. To help: 1. Please... Read More
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In case you missed the live interview this morning, the Democracy Now! segment is now available online! Watch Amy Goodman interview Ethel's younger son (& RFC Founder) Robert Meeropol and... Read More

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Sharing this excellent article by historian Phillip Deery, via our friends at The Nation Magazine, making the case for why President Biden should Exonerate Ethel Rosenberg: https://www.thenation.com/... Read More
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What an incredible and gratifying way to close out 2024! RFC Executive Director Jenn Meeropol alongside her sister and cousins—the four grandchildren of Ethel Rosenberg—published an Op-Ed in Boston... Read More
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Breaking: Just Security Op-Ed by Rosenberg sons Robert and Michael Meeropol calls on President Biden to set the record straight on their mother, Ethel. They write, "Nearly 75 years after our mother,... Read More

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We are blown away by this!! Legendary "Succession" and "The Apprentice" actor, Jeremy Strong, on Jimmy Kimmel Live calls Ethel Rosenberg "innocent," and says she "was recently exonerated" -- new... Read More
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Join us on Dec 7th at 10:30am (eastern) for a virtual update on the campaign to exonerate Ethel Rosenberg! World Fellowship Center hosts RFC Founder, Robert Meeropol, and Executive Director, Jennifer... Read More
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Love this new piece from author and Professor of History, Lori Clune. A previously secret memo declassified in Aug 2024 revealed a stunning admission by a top U.S. codebreaker three years before... Read More

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When Ethel Rosenberg was executed in 1953, her sons were just 6 and 10 years old. In the nearly three years before then, she was an imprisoned mother painfully separated from her family. As a loving... Read More
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New coverage of the campaign to Exonerate Ethel in Bloomberg this morning! "Now in their late 70s and early 80s, the Meeropol brothers described to me in a recent interview how they have devoted more... Read More
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Last week, RFC Founder Robert Meeropol spoke with RFC Board member Bill Newman and Buz Eisenberg about the newly declassified NSA memo about his mother, Ethel Rosenberg, and the effort to exonerate... Read More

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Today is Ethel Rosenberg's birthday. The labor activist, loving wife and mother was charged and convicted of conspiracy to commit espionage alongside her husband, Julius, during the height of the... Read More
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Thanks to the Daily Hampshire Gazette for the front page feature this week on the Exonerate Ethel Rosenberg campaign! https://www.gazettenet.com/Ethel-Rosenberg-petition-57080365 >> Sign the... Read More
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MassLive reports: a newly declassified NSA memo reveals the US government knew that Ethel Rosenberg was not a spy long before she was convicted and executed. "She [RFC Exec Director/Rosenberg... Read More

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An AP News article reports on a recent major update in the Rosenberg Case (the release of a recently declassified NSA memo that provides powerful evidence that Ethel Rosenberg was not a spy).... Read More
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Today's Rosenberg Mention of the Day comes from Verdict via a fascinating essay examining the parallels between Judge Irving Kaufman's handling of the 1951 Rosenberg trial and Judge Aileen Cannon's... Read More
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Today's Rosenberg Mention of the Day comes from TIME's review of "The Apprentice," a feature film which premiered at the Cannes film festival earlier this week. The film portrays a young Donald Trump... Read More

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Today's Rosenberg Mention of the Day includes a short summary on Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas, who issued a stay of execution in the Rosenberg Case. He was confirmed 85 years ago this... Read More
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In a recent publication for Monthly Review, elder son of Ethel and Julius Rosenberg and RFC Advisory Board member Michael Meeropol shares an in-depth history of Judge Irving R. Kaufman, who presided... Read More
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For today's Rosenberg Mention of the Day, we share this article on the legacy of Roy Cohn: Trump confidant and mentor, prosecuting attorney during Ethel and Julius Rosenberg's trial, and catalyst for... Read More

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Today’s Rosenberg Mention of the Day comes from a fascinating review of current TV series, including “Fellow Travelers.” Author Victoria A. Brownworth clearly is a fan of the show, and a historian,... Read More
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Folks in the Boston area might be interested to know that "Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes. Part 2: Perestroika," presented by Central Square Theater and Bedlam, continues at... Read More
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Today’s literary Rosenberg Mention of the Day comes from the Times of India courtesy of Sylvia Plath: “'It was a queer, sultry summer, the summer they electrocuted the Rosenbergs and I didn’t know... Read More

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On this day in 1950, Ethel Rosenberg was arrested and charged with "conspiracy to commit espionage" after testifying before a grand jury. In 2016, the RFC and the Meeropol family launched a petition... Read More
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This unusual Rosenberg Mention of the Day focuses on a new short dance film: "The experimental films of Breton Tyner-Bryan are a collection of dance-inspired art pieces, which are all part of her... Read More
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In what has become an annual 4th of July tradition, we’re sharing this remarkable alternative "National Anthem: Arise Arise" by activist artist and RFC friend, Jean Rohe. It's gorgeous and hits on so... Read More

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Now available to stream: "The Rosenberg Case 70 Years Later: Fighting Fascism Then and Now" For folks who missed either of our live screenings in June 2023 (or would like to rewatch or share it), our... Read More
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Today's #RosenbergMOTD is this excellent essay by Paul Von Blum in Truthdig, which begins, "On that June 19th evening in 1953, I was a small kid in a suburb of Philadelphia, concerned above all with... Read More
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BREAKING: Rosenberg sons Michael and Robert Meeropol call on Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines to direct the NSA and the National Archives to declassify hundreds of thousands of pages... Read More

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Thank you to Renée Graham of the Boston Globe for this thoughtful tribute to the late, great Harry Belafonte. We loved this sentiment and are honored for our organization to be counted among the... Read More
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Earlier this month marked Paul Robeson's 125th birthday. Robeson was a fierce civil rights and antifascist activist, musician and a supporter of Ethel and Julius Rosenberg (he even participated in a... Read More
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Today's Rosenberg Mention of the Day comes from Washington, D.C. where the Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater will present a free, one-night-only reading of "Angels in America" on... Read More

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The RFC's spring newsletter is here! This issue is especially packed with news and updates as June 19th will mark 70 years since the Rosenbergs' executions. The RFC will be commemorating the... Read More
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Book Riot issued a list of 8 contemporary Jewish fiction books, and among them is "Ethel's Song: Ethel Rosenberg's Life in Poems," a collection written for teenaged readers by Barbara Krasner. (You... Read More
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On this day, February 23, 1868, civil rights activist, author and scholar W. E. B. Du Bois was born. Du Bois was a public supporter of the effort to save Julius and Ethel Rosenberg. He spoke at the "... Read More

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On this day, we mark 70 years since President Eisenhower denied Ethel and Julius Rosenberg's first bid for executive clemency on Feb 11th, 1953. It was one of the first decisions Eisenhower faced in... Read More
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This Thurs. Jan 26th, 2023 at 12pm (Central), the Eisenhower Presidential Library & Museum will host a hybrid event, "President Eisenhower’s Decision Concerning the Execution of Julius and Ethel... Read More
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Rosenberg Mention of the Day: As Meryl Streep joins the cast of the "Only Murders in the Building" tv series, this article reminds readers that she also once played Ethel Rosenberg in "Angels in... Read More

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Today's #RosenbergMOTD comes from the Silicon Valley Jewish Film Fest. The all-virtual festival, running from Oct 23rd through Nov 6th, will feature a wide variety of films, including the documentary... Read More
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On this day in 2015, in a ceremony on the steps of City Hall, NYC Council members gathered, with three generations of Ethel Rosenberg's descendants present, to issue a stunning proclamation in Ethel'... Read More
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New #RosenbergMOTD: Monadnock Ledger-Transcript covers RFC Founder Robert Meeropol's July 22nd talk for the 2022 Amos Fortune Forum in Jaffrey, NH. As the younger son of Ethel and Julius Rosenberg,... Read More

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Today’s #RosenbergMOTD features the inclusion of ETHEL ROSENBERG: An American Tragedy, by Anne Sebba. (St. Martin’s Griffin, 336 pp., $18.99) in the NYTimes’ “New in Paperback” feature. According to... Read More
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Rosenberg Mention of the Day: Anne Sebba, the author of "Ethel Rosenberg: An American Tragedy" has published a Q&A this week in the lead-up to her biography's paperback edition release in the UK... Read More
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For today's #RosenbergMOTD, we are delighted to share this excellent recorded interview from yesterday's "Issues that Matter with Cynthia," which featured RFC Founder Robert Meeropol (Ethel Rosenberg... Read More

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This Rosenberg Mention of the Day comes from a recent letter to the editor comparing charges faced by the Rosenbergs and the *lack* of accountability facing certain right-wing leadership in recent... Read More
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On this day, April 5, 1951, Federal Judge Irving R. Kaufman sentenced Ethel and Julius Rosenberg to death, one week after a jury convicted them of conspiracy to commit espionage. In his sentencing... Read More
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On this day: March 29, 1951 Ethel and Julius Rosenberg were found guilty of conspiracy to commit espionage. Last year on the 70th anniversary of the conviction, RFC Founder Robert Meeropol shared his... Read More

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Today’s Rosenberg Mention of the Day highlights the more controversial work of pop artist Andy Warhol. “The world loves Andy's bright and easily-digestible pop art, but there is a much darker side... Read More
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Today's Rosenberg Mention of the Day comes from a beautiful article about RFC Advisory Board member Angela Davis and a lifetime dedicated to revolution. She discusses that while imprisoned in the... Read More
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Rosenberg Mention of the Day // A new podcast episode of "Now What?" with Carole Zimmer features Michael Meeropol, older son to Julius and Ethel, to discuss his parents and his childhood. The show... Read More

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Congratulations to Anne Sebba: her biography of Ethel Rosenberg was just short listed for the 2022 Wingate Literary Prize! The UK-based honor “is awarded to the best book, fiction or non-fiction, to... Read More
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We are honored to learn that The Guardian named this article one of their "US editor's pick: best of 2021." It was originally published on June 19th, on the 68th anniversary of Ethel and Julius... Read More
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It’s a rainy, fall day. Perfect reading weather. 🍂 Returning to this brilliantly written biography by Anne Sebba, "Ethel Rosenberg: An American Tragedy." In one passage, Sebba relates the story of... Read More

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Rosenberg Mention of the Day, courtesy of an excellent review of Anne Sebba’s biography of Ethel (we especially appreciate the reviewers conclusion re: Anne & Abel Meeropol): “Nearly 70 years... Read More
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Rosenberg Mention of the Day: A review of Anne Sebba’s biography by Martha Sonnenberg that “must, of necessity, begin with a personal note..." "When I was 13 years old, my mother took, from the deep... Read More
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Today’s Rosenberg MOTD comes from “across the pond” courtesy of what sounds like a fascinating literary festival: “In an age of fake news that can create misinformation on crucial issues, Ilkley... Read More

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Rosenberg Mention of the Day: We're mourning the loss of David Alman, a major figure in the Rosenberg Case struggle who died earlier this month at the age of 102. He & his wife Emily were... Read More
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#OnThisDay in 2015, "Ethel Rosenberg Day of Justice in the Borough of Manhattan" was declared on Sep 28, Ethel's 100th birthday. In honor of this momentous day, we share some of the powerful remarks... Read More
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Rosenberg Mention of the Day: Sharing Foreign Affair's latest review of "Ethel Rosenberg: An American Tragedy", a brief statement acknowledging that prejudice (misogyny, antisemitism, anti-communism... Read More

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Rosenberg Mention of the Day: Sharing a lovely and fitting tribute to legendary actor Ed Asner (an "unflagging supporter of socialist causes") which shares a number of stories of his art &... Read More
#ExonerateEthel
Rosenberg Mention of the Day: We're pleased to share Ellen Meeropol's publication for Lilith Magazine, a thoughtfully crafted reflection on two recently published books focused on Ethel Rosenberg.... Read More
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Excellent news to share! Ivy Meeropol (granddaughter to the Rosenbergs)'s documentary "Bully. Coward. Victim." has been nominated for a 2021 Emmy for Outstanding Historical documentary! The film... Read More

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Rosenberg Mention of the Day: New from WAMC Northeast Public Radio, an illuminating interview with both Michael Meeropol, older son of Ethel & Julius Rosenberg, and author Anne Sebba to discuss... Read More
#notesfromourcmmty
Sharing one of our #notesfromourcmmty today. This one is from an RFC supporter who gathered in support of the Rosenbergs with their family all those years years ago ♡ To all who hold the legacy of... Read More
#ExonerateEthel
Rosenberg Mention of the Day: ICYMI - RFC Founder Robert Meeropol & NYT bestselling author Anne Sebba discuss Sebba's latest biography which focuses on the life of Ethel Rosenberg, the wife and... Read More

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Rosenberg Mention of the Day: ICYMI - Jenn Meeropol's "Exonerating Ethel" presentation delivered on June 6th, 2021 to the Community Church of Boston to commemorate the 68th anniversary of the... Read More
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Rosenberg Mention of the Day: Stories and donations continue to stream in to the RFC in response to the June 19th anniversary of Ethel & Julius Rosenberg's executions. Here's one of the #... Read More
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Rosenberg Mention of the Day: The Guardian reviews "Ethel Rosenberg: A Cold War Tragedy" (the UK title of Anne Sebba's new biography) -- "Sebba has dug deep beneath this famous and archetypically... Read More

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Rosenberg Mention of the Day: On Tues 6/29 at 7PM EDT, the Odyssey Bookshop is hosting a free (virtual) event, a conversation with Anne Sebba, author of "Ethel Rosenberg: An American Tragedy" and RFC... Read More
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Rosenberg Mention of the Day: Thank you to everyone who made the anniversary of June 19th so very meaningful this year, whether you shared your story with us, made a gift to the RFC in honor of Ethel... Read More
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Rosenberg Mention of the Day: Fantastic article published over the weekend, featuring deeply personal interviews with RFC Founder Robert Meeropol and RFC Advisory Board Member Michael Meeropol about... Read More

#childrenofresistance
Rosenberg Mention of the Day: On the 68th anniversary of her grandparents’ execution, RFC Executive Director Jenn Meeropol shares her thoughts on another recent anniversary: April 5th marked exactly... Read More
#notesfromourcmmty
Remembering the Rosenbergs today 💔 #notesfromourcmmty #RosenbergMOTD #EthelRosenberg #JuliusRosenberg #RosenbergCase #RemembertheRosenbergs #ExonerateEthel Image quote reads: “I was 13 years old when... Read More
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In their final letter to their sons, Ethel & Julius Rosenberg wrote that they were "comforted in the sure knowledge that others would carry on after us." On this anniversary of their executions,... Read More

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Rosenberg Mention of the Day: As we anticipate tomorrow's anniversary of the execution of Ethel and Julius Rosenberg, we can't help but think of the communities of support who kept hope alive and... Read More
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We're holding space in our hearts for two momentous anniversaries this week. Being fully in the joy and fully in the grief, as life so often calls upon us to do: ◼ We're celebrating that Juneteenth,... Read More
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Rosenberg Mention of the Day: Excerpted from her biography "Ethel Rosenberg: An American Tragedy," Anne Sebba's new essay for Lit Hub explores the influence of the Rosenberg trial, the Red Scare era... Read More

#ethelrosenberg
Rosenberg Mention of the Day: Wow! Anne Sebba (Ethel Rosenberg's biographer) published in TIME today: "I fervently believe 2021 is a potent time to look again at Ethel as a woman in her own right,... Read More
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Rosenberg Mention of the Day: "The reason why I believe Ethel’s story is as important today as ever is to realize what can happen when fear, a forceful and blunt weapon in the hands of authority,... Read More
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Rosenberg Mention of the Day: We're pleased to announce that Anne Sebba's new biography "Ethel Rosenberg: An American Tragedy" is available today! It is a powerful and intimate look into Ethel's life... Read More

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Artists as Activists Mention of the Day: In his fascinating review of Aaron Leonard's new book, The Folk Singers and the Bureau: The FBI, the Folk Artists and the Suppression of the Communist Party,... Read More
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Rosenberg Mention of the Day: 103 years ago today (on May 12, 1918) Julius Rosenberg was born in New York City. Julius & Ethel, the inspiration of the RFC, believed that others would carry on... Read More
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Rosenberg Mention of the Day: This Mothers' Day we're delighted to share this beautiful look into Ethel Rosenberg's early life and love of music 💕 Take a walk through a collection of... Read More

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Sharing this excellent piece about the history of the iconic protest song "Strange Fruit" for today's joint Strange Fruit & Rosenberg Mention of the Day: From the article, "In the 21st century, '... Read More
#onthisday
Rosenberg Mention of the Day: #OnThisDay 70 years ago on April 5, 1951, Ethel & Julius Rosenberg were sentenced to death by Judge Irving Kaufman after being convicted of "conspiracy to commit... Read More
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Rosenberg Mention of the Day: On this day, March 29, 1951, after a deeply tainted, politically-motivated trial lasting three weeks, Julius & Ethel Rosenberg were convicted of conspiracy to commit... Read More

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Rosenberg Mention of the Day: As the 70th anniversary of Julius & Ethel Rosenberg's conviction approaches, we share this timely piece about what Ethel's conviction in particular exposes about the... Read More
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Rosenberg Mention of the Day: Announcing a NEW biography on the life of Ethel Rosenberg, written by New York Times bestselling author Anne Sebba. Read the RFC's article with more details here: https... Read More

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The Rosenbergs' Last Letter

On June 19, 1953, hours before their execution, Ethel and Julius Rosenberg wrote one final letter to their two young sons: Michael, age 10 and Robby, age six.

In the video below, Angela Davis sets the scene and Eve Ensler and Cotter Smith read the letter, as part of the RFC's CARRY IT FORWARD event that commemorated the anniversary of the executions and celebrated activist families who continue to resist today.

Exonerate Ethel Rosenberg

The RFC joins Rosenberg sons Michael and Robert Meeropol in calling on President Biden to exonerate their mother, Ethel Rosenberg, following the release of formerly classified National Security Agency (NSA) documents that prove the U.S. government withheld information that confirmed Ethel was not a spy. President Biden has the power to right this historic injustice, redress the harm done to the Meeropol family, and bring peace to both of Ethel’s sons in their lifetimes.

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