After nearly three decades: Dean Miroshnikov closes a circle
Actor Dean Miroshnikov shared an emotional moment of "closing a circle" nearly three decades after immigrating to Israel. He participated in a discussion on how to better support new immigrants and lone soldiers.
Actor Dean Miroshnikov shared on Wednesday an emotional moment of "closing a circle" that he experienced nearly three decades after immigrating to Israel:
"Today I stood before representatives of the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration and people who came to think about how to ensure that a new immigrant arriving here and a lone soldier who chooses to serve here truly receive everything they deserve."
According to him, when he immigrated at age 9, he never imagined he would have the privilege of being part of such change: "I used to be the immigrant child; today, I have the privilege of being part of the people who want to change the path for those who come after us—it is a closing of a circle."
In a recent interview on the program 'Sicha' with Oded Harush, he recounted the absorption difficulties he faced as a child: "There we were Jews, and here—'stinking Russians.' I was a 'stinking Russian.'" He noted that only at age 10 did he understand the meaning of being Jewish: "I didn't know we were flying to Israel because we are Jews."
He also shared that his grandparents arrived in the country six months before him: "My grandfather built houses, specializing in fireplaces. Here in Israel, he cleaned streets in Ra'anana, picking up cat and dog feces and collecting cans and bottles." Despite everything, his grandfather always smiled and felt a deep sense of belonging. Unlike his grandfather, Dean struggled with this for years: "I would eat a sandwich at school that my mother made for me, and I would be ashamed."
Today, he emphasizes this issue regularly: "I talk about it every day with teenagers. It doesn't matter who I am here in Israel—Russian, Ukrainian, Ethiopian, Yemeni, or Muslim. Can they all serve in the army? That's it; we are Israelis first of all."
As mentioned, Miroshnikov was born in Mykolaiv, Ukraine. At age 9, he immigrated to Israel, living first in Ashdod and later in Ra'anana. He served in the Shayetet 13 of the Israeli Navy, was wounded during the 2010 Mavi Marmara takeover, underwent surgeries and rehabilitation, suffered from PTSD, and was recognized as an IDF disabled veteran. Despite his injuries, he completed five years of military service. After his discharge, he studied acting at the Yoram Loewenstein school, gained public recognition through successful series, and today lives in Tel Aviv, is married, and is a father to a daughter.
