Not all refuseniks participated in marches and rallies. Some used their years of waiting to learn the Hebrew language and study Judaism and Jewish culture in preparation for the day their requests for exit visas would finally be approved. They secretly celebrated the Sabbath and other Jewish holidays and banded together to help one another. Alla Aberson was active in her refusenik community. Yet, over time, she, like Ary Rotman, found herself under surveillance.