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Dedication Ceremonies of the Center for Russian Jewry, New York, NY, June 26, 1968
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Dedication Ceremonies of the Center for Russian Jewry, New York, NY, June 26, 1968
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The original documents are located in Box D25, folder "Dedication Ceremonies of the Center for Russian Jewry, New York, NY, June 26, 1968" of the Ford Congressional Papers: Press Secretary and Speech File at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library. Copyright Notice The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. The Council donated to the United States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections. Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library. Digitized from Box D25 of The Ford Congressional Papers: Press Secretary and Speech File at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library DEDICATION CEREMONIES OF THE CENTER FOR RUSSIAN JEWRY, NEW YORK CITY, JUNE 26, 1968. I GREET YOU THIS MORNING AS FELLOW DEMONSTRATORS. WE ARE HERE TO DEMONSTRATE OUR CONVICTION THAT THE CONSCIENCE OF AMERICA IS NOT STILLED, THAT DESPITE VEXING DOMESTIC CONCERNS WE BELIEVE OUR GREAT NATION MUST CONTINUE TO STAND AS A LIGHTHOUSE OF HOPE FOR FREEDOM IN THE WORLD. IT IS ENCOURAGING TO ME THAT SO MANY DISTINGUISHED AMERICANS, OF VARIOUS RELIGIOUS FAITHS AND NATIONAL ORIGINS, HAVE GATHERED HERE TO DEMONSTRATE THEIR CONCERN OVER THE PRESENT PLIGHT AND FUTURE FATE OF THE JEWISH POPULATIONS OF RUSSIA AND OTHER COMMUNIST COUNTRIES. FORD IT IS DISCOURAGING TO ME THAT OUR LIBRARY -2- GOVERNMENT DOES NOT SHOW MORE. I KNOW THAT WHEN AMERICAN JEWISH LEADERS GO TO THE STATE DEPARTMENT AND THE WHITE HOUSE TO APPEAL FOR ACTION IN THIS CAUSE, For ebample THEY ARE GIVEN VARIOUS RUN-AROUNDS. WE MUST NOT INTERFERE OR INTERVENE IN THE INTERNAL AFFAIRS OF ANOTHER NATION -- BESIDES, THE COMMUNISTS MIGHT RAISE EMBARRASSING QUESTIONS ABOUT SOME OF OUR OWN MINORITY PROBLEMS. WELL,/HAS ANYBODY BEEN LISTENING TO MOSCOW RADIO, OR READING PRAVDA AND IZEVSTIA LATELY? FOR WEEKS, THE MASSIVE COMMUNIST PROPAGANDA APPARATUS HAS BEEN FLOODING THE WORLD WITH EXAGGERATED AND DISTORTED EXPLOITATION OF THE SO-CALLED POOR PEOPLE'S CAMPAIGN, THE CIVIL DISORDERS AND RACIAL RIOTS IN AMERICA'S CITIES -- INCLUDING ITS ONCE PEACEFUL CAPITAL -- THE CHARGES OF DISCRIMINATION AND PERSECUTION VOICED BY SOME MEMBERS OF MINORITIES IN THE -3- UNITED STATES. I AM INFORMED THAT AT LEAST A DOZEN COMMUNIST CORRESPONDENTS, INCLUDING FOUR FROM TASS NEWS AGENCY, CONVERGED ON WASHINGTON FOR UNPRECEDENTED BLANKET COVERAGE OF THE SOLIDARITY MARCH LAST WEEK. THEY HAVE REPORTED EVERY SCRAP OF UNFAVORABLE FACT AND/ADDED A GOOD DEAL OF FANCY/TO THE RISE AND FALL OF RESURRECTION CITY, SEEKING TO PROVE THAT AMERICA IS A LAND OF RACISM, VIOLENCE, PREJUDICE AND DISCRIMINATION. REPRINTED AND REBROADCAST TO THE RUSSIAN PEOPLE AND IN SCORES OF LANGUAGES TO AFRICA, ASIA, LATIN AMERICA AND EUROPE, THIS GRIST FOR THE COMMUNIST MILL IS BEING GROUND OUT DAY AND NIGHT. THERE IS ABUNDANT EVIDENCE EVERY- WHERE/THAT AMERICAN PRESTIGE IS ERODING, THAT THE CYNICAL KREMLIN APPARATUS IS TEARING DOWN OUR TRADITIONAL IMAGE OF PROTECTOR OF THE WEAK -4- AND OPPRESSED, THE SYMBOL OF FREEDOM AND EQUALITY AND HUMAN DIGNITY. It seems ash approprate AND WHERE IS THE TRUE VOICE OF to AMERICA -- IS IT TONGUE-TIED? I SAY WE ARE MISSING A DRAMATIC OPPORTUNITY TO MOUNT A POWERFUL COUNTER-ATTACK, AS WELL AS SHAMEFULLY RENEGING ON OUR MORAL PRINCIPLES -- BY NOT EXPOSING THE LATENT AND GROWING ANTISEMITISM OF THE SOVIET GOVERNMENT. MOSCOW IS VERY WELL AWARE OF ITS WEAKNESS ON THIS SCORE. THIS IS PROVED BY THE DISPATCH OF THE MOSCOW RABBI AND THE LENINGRAD CANTOR ON A MISSION TO THIS COUNTRY. THESE TWO LONELY REPRESENTATIVES OF RUSSIA'S ESTIMATED 3 MILLION JEWS WELL KNOWN THE HOSTAGES THEY HAVE LEFT BEHIND, AND I WANT TO BE CHARITABLE TOWARDS THEM AS INDIVIDUALS. BUT DO AMERICANS AND THE REST OF THE WORLD KNOW THESE FACTS? 1 -- THAT RABBI LEVIN AT 72 IS THE -5- ONLY REAL RABBI AVAILABLE TO THE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF JEWS IN MOSCOW, DUE TO THE METHODICAL DESTRUCTION OF JEWISH LIFE AND THE SYSTEMATIC LIQUIDATION OF JEWISH LEARNING IN THE SOVIET STATE? 2 -- THAT DAVID STISKIN IS THE ONLY WELL-KNOWN CANTOR IN ALL OF RUSSIA TODAY, WHERE EVEN UNDER THE POGROMS OF THE CZARS THERE WERE THOUSANDS? 3 -- THAT THE OFFICIAL SOVIET NOVOSTI NEWS AGENCY ORIGINALLY ANNOUNCED THAT A "JEWISH RELIGIOUS DELEGATION" OF FOUR WOULD MAKE THE TRIP, INCLUDING RABBIS FROM TWO OTHER RUSSIAN CITIES. BUT THE EXIT PASSPORTS OF THE OTHER TWO WERE WITHHELD AT THE LAST MINUTE. WHY? WAS IT BECAUSE THEY WERE YOUNGER MEN, AND THE SOVIET SECURITY PEOPLE WERE FEARFUL THEY MIGHT SEIZE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ASK SANCTUARY IN A FREE NATION AND TELL THE TRUTH? FORD LIBRANA AMERICANS ARE FOR THE MOST PART -6- UNAWARE OF ALL THIS. THERE IS MUCH MORE WE SHOULD BE TELLING THE WORLD ABOUT MINORITY PROBLEMS. WE SHOULD SAY MINORITY PROBLEMS DO in this great nation EXIST, BUT THAT ALL AMERICANS ARE WORKING WITH MIGHT AND MAIN TO SOLVE THEM -- EXCEPT FOR THE HANDFUL WHOSE REAL PURPOSE IS TO DISRUPT AND WRECK OUR FREE SYSTEM. WE SHOULD TELL THEM THAT UNDER THE CONSTITUTIONAL GUARANTEES OF FREE SPEECH AND in america FREEDOM OF RELIGION THE REVEREND MR. ABERNATHY IS FREE TO TELECAST TO THE NATION ON SOLIDARITY DAY A SWEEPING ATTACK ON OUR GOVERNMENT AND SOCIETY. been free To make WHEN HAS ANY RUSSIAN RABBI MADE SUCH AN INDICTMENT ON THE SOVIET STATE 1 TELEVISION? THE SOVIETS ARE GETTING BOLDER AND BETTER AT MANIPULATING WORLD PUBLIC OPINION thru our Vora amerca WHILE WE ARE GETTING MORE TIMID AND DEFENSIVE. -7- ISN'T IT ABOUT TIME WE WENT ON THE OFFENSIVE AGAIN -- ISN'T IT TIME WE QUIT APOLOGIZING AND AGONIZING AND TOLD THE KREMLIN TO MIND ITS OWN BUSINESS AND PUT ITS OWN HOUSE IN ORDER. THERE ARE OTHER WAYS BESIDES THE PROPAGANDA BATTLE TO PUT PRESSURE ON THE SOVIET AND POLISH GOVERNMENTS TO DESIST FROM THEIR ODIOUS POLICIES TOWARDS THEIR JEWISH CITIZENS. I CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT IS SO RELUCTANT TO USE THEM. THE RUSSIANS VERY MUCH WANT AN AIRLINE AGREEMENT INTO KENNEDY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, AND WE HAVE AGREED. DID WE TELL THE SOVIET OFFICIALS IN THESE NEGOTIATIONS, THAT THEIR TREATMENT OF JEWS IN RUSSIA IS ABHORRENT TO DECENT AMERICANS AND MIGHT MAKE AGREEMENT DIFFICULT FOR A DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED GOVERNMENT? WHILE WE GO ABOUT NEGOTIATING EAST-WEST TRADE AGREEMENTS DO WE TELL -8- COMMUNISTS THAT IT IS U.S. POLICY NOT TO DEAL WITH DOMESTIC CONTRACTORS WHO DISCRIMINATE SO such as the Sourst WE CAN'T DO BUSINESS WITH FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS almon THAT DO THE SAME, AND WORSE? WE KNOW THAT OPEN AND VIOLENT HATRED OF ISRAEL AND "WESTERN IMPERIALISM" IS A FACET OF THE COMMUNISTS' RENEWED POWER DRIVE INTO THE ARAB MIDDLE EAST. UNDER THE GUISE OF ANTI-ZIONISM JEWS WHO SURVIVED NAZIISM ARE > AGAIN BEING VICTIMIZED IN WARSAW AND SPOTLIGHTED AS EXAMPLES OF WHAT HAPPENS TO DISSENTERS. AT THE SAME TIME THE ADMINISTRATION IN WASHINGTON APPROVES THE SALE OF MORE STRATEGICALLY IMPORTANT AMERICAN GOODS, INCLUDING SOPHISTICATED COMPUTERS, TO THE POLISH REGIME. I COULD GO ON FOR AN HOUR ABOUT THE FAILURES OF RECENT U.S. POLICY TOWARDS THE MIDDLE EAST -- OR PERHAPS I SHOULD CALL IT A NON-POLICY. WE FIDDLED WHILE ISRAEL WON THE -9- WAR AND EVER SINCE WE HAVE BEEN FIDDLING WHILE THE RUSSIANS WIN THE REARMAMENT RACE -- IT REALLY ISN'T A RACE BECAUSE ONLY THE COMMUNISTS ARE RUNNING. BUT THAT IS ANOTHER TOPIC. THE COMMITMENT OF THE UNITED STATES TO THE INDEPENDENCE OF ISRAEL IS AS YOUNG AS REBORN ISRAEL ITSELF -- BUT THE COMMITMENT OF AMERICANS TO RELIGIOUS FREEDOM GOES BACK TO OUR OWN BEGINNINGS AS A NATION. TRUE MANY AMERICANS WERE SLOW TO AWAKE WHILE SIX MILLION JEWS WERE BEING MURDERED BY HITLER, BUT I HOPE WE WILL NOT BE CONDEMNED TO RELIVE HISTORY BY FAILING TO RECOGNIZE THE EVIL OF ANTISEMITISM WHEREVER IT REAPPEARS. IT'S TIME TO STOP LETTING THE COMMUNISTS GET AWAY WITH SILENTLY PRACTICING the Kremlen's spokesmen CULTURAL GENOCIDE WHILE LOUDLY DENOUNGING AMERICA FOR RACISM AND FASCISM, ALL AROUND THE WORLD. AND IF GOVERNMENT IS TOO TIMID, YOU AND -10- OTHER PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS OF AMERICANS MUST BE TOUGH. YOU MUST GO ON FOCUSING THE SPOTLIGHT ON THE KREMLIN'S TWO-FACED POLICIES, TO HELP PROTECT RUSSIAN JEWRY AS FAR AS YOU CAN, AND TO HELP PROTECT AMERICA'S GOOD NAME IN THE WORLD. JEWS HAVE A GREAT SPIRITUAL AND INTELLECTUAL CONTRIBUTION TO MAKE TO ANY NATION, AND NO NATION MORE DESPERATELY NEEDS TO HEAR THE OUTCRY FOR JUSTICE, FIRST SOUNDED BY THE PROPHETS, THAN THE SOVIET UNION. IN HELPING the TO SAVE THE REMNANTS OF THE JEWISH PEOPLE ABROAD, WE MAY HELP TO SAVE OURSELVES, FOR TRULY, THE WAY OF THE JUST IS UPRIGHTNESS. -- END -- THE CENTER FOR RUSSIAN JEWRY EMPIRE STATE BUILDING SUITE 8001 NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10001 DEDICATIONCEREMONIES WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 1968 - 9:30 AM PROGRAM INVOCATION Rabbi Steven Riskin Lincoln Square Synagogue INTRODUCTORY REMARKS Melvin Stein, President The Center for Russian Jewry REMARKS AND PRESENTATION Spyros P. Skouras, Chairman Board of Directors The Center for Russian Jewry GREETINGS Rabbi Emanuel Rackman Fifth Avenue Synagogue Monsignor Harry Byrne, Chancellor New York Archdiocese Rabbi Ralph Pelcovitz Congregation Talmud Torah Kneseth Israel Rev. Dr. M. Moran Weston, Rector St. Phillips Church, New York ADDRESS Congressman Gerald R. Ford "SOVIET JEWRY AND NATIONAL POLICY" House Minority Leader U.S. House of Representatives PRESENTATION OF AWARDS Melvin Stein DEDICATION Meyer Slotkin Board of Directors Stanley Seigel Board of Directors The Center for Russian Jewry VISIT 6418804 NOR REPRED STATE NBC 1008 STTUR STATE MAILES 10001 XRIT изи , ляст was will ashyon MA 08:0 naer merc R-abb about Lovin ARDORT of moscow mexess 1001 noveda iddan HOITADOVNI aupopany8 exampt niceals 141938 niview BARAMER yourst material 202 ed? BETWONS .s вотуча OWA EXAMPLES to break VIIDO neissur 102 ed? members iddea CUTSSINGS вироралуа SUBOVA sumplencH W10Y well iddes name insured assolt .N - XTOX void eqtising .32 brow .я bisted ВЕМЯССА mobsel smooth "YDIJOS JAMOTTAN ONA TRUST rarvos* to exroll .8.0 atess nivisM BOSANA 10 ИОТТАТИЗВЕТЧ mixsola xeysM micdberld to breod Topice volness 830350910 to D3508 naisaud 201 edT Distribution : 20 copies Mr. Ford mailing 6/26/68 M Office Copy ADDRESS OF REP. GERALD R. FORD (R-MICH.) MINORITY LEADER OF THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AT DEDICATION CEREMONIES OF THE CENTER FOR RUSSIAN JEWRY NEW YORK CITY June 26, 1968 For Immediate Release I greet you this morning as fellow demonstrators. We are here to demonstrate our conviction that the conscience of America is not stilled, that despite vexing domestic concerns we believe our great nation must continue to stand as a lighthouse of hope for freedom in the world. It is encouraging to me that so many distinguished Americans, of various religious faiths and national origins, have gathered here to demonstrate their concern over the present plight and future fate of the Jewish populations of Russia and other Communist countries. It is discouraging to me that our government does not show more. I know that when American Jewish leaders go to the State Department and the White House to appeal for action in this cause, they are given various run-arounds. We must not interfere or intervene in the internal affairs of another nation -- besides, the Communists might raise embarrassing questions about some of our own minority problems. Well, has anybody been listening to Moscow radio, or reading Pravda and Izevstia lately? For weeks, the massive Communist propaganda apparatus has been flooding the world with exaggerated and distorted exploitation of the so-called Poor People's Campaign, the civil disorders and racial riots in America's cities -- including its once peaceful capital -- the charges of discrimination and persecution voiced by some members of minorities in the United States. I am informed that at least a dozen Communist correspondents, including four from Tass news agency, converged on Washington for unprecedented blanket coverage of the Solidarity March last week. They have reported every scrap of unfavorable fact and added a good deal of fancy to the rise and fall of Resurrection City, seeking to prove that America is a land of racism, violence, prejudice and discrimination. Reprinted and rebroadcast to the Russian people and in scores of languages to Africa, Asia, Latin America and Europe, this grist for the Communist mill is FORD being ground out day and night. (more) LIBRARY -2- There is abundant evidence everywhere that American prestige is eroding, that the cynical Kremlin apparatus is tearing down our traditional image of protector of the weak and oppressed, the symbol of freedom and equality and human dignity. And where is the true Voice of America -- is it tongue-tied? I say we are missing a dramatic opportunity to mount a powerful counter- attack, as well as shamefully reneging on our moral principles -- by not exposing the latent and growing antisemitism of the Soviet government. Moscow is very well aware of its weakness on this score. This is proved by the dispatch of the Moscow rabbi and the Leningrad cantor on a mission to this country. These two lonely representatives of Russia's estimated 3 million Jews well known the hostages they have left behind, and I want to be charitable towards them as individuals. But do Americans and the rest of the world know these facts? 1 -- That Rabbi Levin at 72 is the only real rabbi available to the hundreds of thousands of Jews in Moscow, due to the methodical destruction of Jewish life and the systematic liquidation of Jewish learning in the Soviet state? 2 -- That David Stiskin is the only well-known cantor in all of Russia today, where even under the pogroms of the Czars there were thousands? 3 -- That the official Soviet Novosti News Agency originally announced that a "Jewish Religious delegation" of four would make the trip, including rabbis from two other Russian cities. But the exit passports of the other two were withheld at the last minute. Why? Was it because they were younger men, and the Soviet security people were fearful they might seize the opportunity to ask sanctuary in a free nation and tell the truth? Americans are for the most part unaware of all of this. There is much more we should be telling the world about minority problems. We should say minority problems do exist, but that all Americans are working with might and main to solve them -- except for the handful whose real purpose is to disrupt and wreck our free system. We shou 1d tell them that under the Constitutional guarantees of free speech and freedom of religion the Reverend Mr. Abernathy is free to telecast to the nation on Solidarity Day a sweeping attack on our government and society. When has any Russian rabbi made such an indictment on the Soviet State television? The Soviets are getting bolder and better at manipulating world public opinion while we are getting more timid and defensive. Isn't it about time we (more) -3- went on the offensive again -- isn't it time we quit apologizing, and agonizing and told the Kremlin to mind its own business and put its own house in order? There are other ways besides the propaganda battle to put pressure on the Soviet and Polish governments to desist from their odious policies towards their Jewish citizens. I cannot understand why the United States government is so reluctant to use them. The Russians very much want an airline agreement into Kennedy International Airport, and we have agreed. Did we tell the Soviet officials in these negotiations, that their treatment of Jews in Russia is abhorrent to decent Americans and might make agreement difficult for a democratically elected govern- ment? While we go about negotiating East-West trade agreements do we tell Communists that it is U.S. policy not to deal with domestic contractors who discriminate so we can't do business with foreign governments that do the same, and worse? We know that open and violent hatred of Israel and "Western imperialism" is a facet of the Communists' renewed power drive into the Arab Middle East. Under the guise of anti-Zionism Jews who survived Naziism are again being victimized in Warsaw and spotlighted as examples of what happens to dissenters. At the same time the Administration in Washington approves the sale of more strategically important American goods, including sophisticated computers, to the Polish regime. I could go on for an hour about the failures of recent U.S. policy towards the Middle East -- or perhaps I should call it a non-policy. We fiddled while Israel won the war and ever since we have been fiddling while the Russians win the rearmament race -- it really isn't a race because only the Communists are running. But that is another topic. The commitment of the United States to the independence of Israel is as young as reborn Israel itself -- but the commitment of Americans to religious freedom goes back to our own beginnings as a nation. True, many Americans were slow to awake while six million Jews were being murdered by Hitler, but I hope we will not be condemned to relive history by failing ro recognize the evil of antisemitism wherever it reappears. It's time to stop letting the Communists get away with silently practicing cultural genocide while loudly denouncing America for racism and fascism, all around the world. And if government is too timid, you and other private organizations of Americans must be tough. You must go on focusing the spotlight on the Kremlin's two-faced policies, to help protect Russian Jewry as far as you can, and help protect America's good name in the world. (more) -4- Jews have a great spiritual and intellectual contribution to make to any nation, and no nati on more desperately needs to hear the outcry for justice, first sounded by the Prophets, than the Soviet Union. In helping to save the remnants of the Jewish people abroad, we may help to save ourselves, for truly, the way of the just is uprightness. ### Office Copy ADDRESS OF REP. GERALD R. FORD (R-MICH.) MINORITY LEADER OF THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AT DEDICATION CEREMONIES OF THE CENTER FOR RUSSIAN JEWRY NEW YORK CITY June 26, 1968 For Immediate Release I greet you this morning as fellow demonstrators. We are here to demonstrate our conviction that the conscience of America is not stilled, that despite vexing domestic concerns we believe our great nation must continue to stand as a lighthouse of hope for freedom in the world. It is encouraging to me that so many distinguished Americans, of various religious faiths and national origins, have gathered here to demonstrate their concern over the present plight and future fate of the Jewish populations of Russia and other Communist countries. It is discouraging to me that our government does not show more. I know that when American Jewish leaders go to the State Department and the White House to appea1 for action in this cause, they are given various run-arounds. We must not interfere or intervene in the internal affairs of another nation -- besides, the Communists might raise embarrassing questions about some of our own minority problems. Well, has anybody been listening to Moscow radio, or reading Pravda and Izevstia lately? For weeks, the massive Communist propaganda apparatus has been flooding the world with exaggerated and distorted exploitation of the so-called Poor People's Campaign, the civil disorders and racial riots in America's cities -- including its once peaceful capital -- the charges of discrimination and persecution voiced by some members of minorities in the United States. I am informed that at least a dozen Communist correspondents, including four from Tass news agency, converged on Washington for unprecedented blanket coverage of the Solidarity March last week. They have reported every scrap of unfavorable fact and added a good deal of fancy to the rise and fall of Resurrection City, seeking to prove that America is a land of racism, violence, prejudice and discrimination. Reprinted and rebroadcast to the Russian people and in scores of languages to Africa, Asia, Latin America and Europe, this grist for the Communist mill is being ground out day and night. (more) BERALD FORD LIBRARY -2- There is abundant evidence everywhere that American prestige is eroding, that the cynical Kremlin apparatus is tearing down our traditional image of protector of the weak and oppressed, the symbol of freedom and equality and human dignity. And where is the true Voice of America -- is it tongue-tied? I say we are missing a dramatic opportunity to mount a powerful counter- attack, as well as shamefully reneging on our moral principles -- by not exposing the latent and growing antisemitism of the Soviet government. Moscow is very well aware of its weakness on this score. This is proved by the dispatch of the Moscow rabbi and the Leningrad cantor on a mission to this country. These two lonely representatives of Russia's estimated 3 million Jews well known the hostages they have left behind, and I want to be charitable towards them as individuals. But do Americans and the rest of the world know these facts? 1 -- That Rabbi Levin at 72 is the only real rabbi available to the hundreds of thousands of Jews in Moscow, due to the methodical destruction of Jewish life and the systematic liquidation of Jewish learning in the Soviet state? 2 -- That David Stiskin is the only well-known cantor in all of Russia today, where even under the pogroms of the Czars there were thousands? 3 -- That the official Soviet Novosti News Agency originally announced that a "Jewish Religious delegation" of four would make the trip, including rabbis from two other Russian cities. But the exit passports of the other two were withheld at the last minute. Why? Was it because they were younger men, and the Soviet security people were fearful they might seize the opportunity to ask sanctuary in a free nation and tell the truth? Americans are for the most part unaware of all of this. There is much more we should be telling the world about minority problems. We should say minority problems do exist, but that all Americans are working with might and main to solve them -- except for the handful whose real purpose is to disrupt and wreck our free system. We should tell them that under the Constitutional guarantees of free speech and freedom of religion the Reverend Mr. Abernathy is free to telecast to the nation on Solidarity Day a sweeping attack on our government and society. When has any Russian rabbi made such an indictment on the Soviet State television? The Soviets are getting bolder and better at manipulating world public opinion while we are getting more timid and defensive. Isn't it about time we (more) -3- went on the offensive again isn't it time we quit apologizing and agonizing and told the Kremlin to mind its own business and put its own house in order? There are other ways besides the propaganda battle to put pressure on the Soviet and Polish governments to desist from their odious policies towards their Jewish citizens. I cannot understand why the United States government is so reluctant to use them. The Russians very much want an airline agreement into Kennedy International Airport, and we have agreed. Did we tell the Soviet officials in these negotiations, that their treatment of Jews in Russia is abhorrent to decent Americans and might make agreement difficult for a democratically elected govern- ment? While we go about negotiating East-West trade agreements do we tell Communists that it is U.S. policy not to deal with domestic contractors who discriminate so we can't do business with foreign governments that do the same, and worse? We know that open and violent hatred of Israel and "Western imperialism" is a facet of the Communists' renewed power drive into the Arab Middle East. Under the guise of anti-Zionism Jews who survived Naziism are again being victimized in Warsaw and spotlighted as examples of what happens to dissenters. At the same time the Administration in Washington approves the sale of more strategically important American goods, including sophisticated computers, to the Polish regime. I could go on for an hour about the failures of recent U.S. policy towards the Middle East -- or perhaps I should call it a non-policy. We fiddled while Israel won the war and ever since we have been fiddling while the Russians win the rearmament race -- it really isn't a race because only the Communists are running. But that is another topic. The commitment of the United States to the independence of Israel is as young as reborn Israel itself -- but the commitment of Americans to religious freedom goes back to our own beginnings as a nation. True, many Americans were slow to awake while six million Jews were being murdered by Hitler, but I hope we will not be condemned to relive history by failing ro recognize the evil of antisemitism wherever it reappears. It's time to stop letting the Communists get away with silently practicing cultural genocide while loudly denouncing America for racism and fascism, all around the world. And if government is too timid, you and other private organizations of Americans must be tough. You must go on focusing the spotlight on the Kremlin's two-faced policies, to help protect Russian Jewry as far as you can, and help protect America's good name in the world. (more) -4- Jews have a great spiritual and intellectual contribution to make to any nation, and no nati on more desperately needs to hear the outcry for justice, first sounded by the Prophets, than the Soviet Union. In helping to save the remnants of the Jewish people abroad, we may help to save ourselves, for truly, the way of the just is uprightness. # # # BARKAI "Then shall thy light break forth as the morning" ISAIAH 58:8 VOL. I, NO.1 A bi-monthly publication of The Center for Russian Jewry JUNE, 1968 NEW DANGERS FOR POLISH JEWS Profound Changes The Meaning of BARKAI- Stir Eastern Europe by Elie Wiesel Author of Polish Jewry, one of the most crea- "The Jews tive Jewish communities of all time, of Silence" once more finds itself engulfed in a wave of anti-Semitism. In Temple days, on the eve of Mr. Harry Schwartz, expert on East Atonement, the High Priest secluded European affairs for THE NEW YORK himself from all but those who mini- TIMES, reports that the remnant of GREETINGS from stered to him. It was their task to Poland's once thriving Jewish commu- keep him awake through the long nity, variously estimated at between Professor Abraham J. Heschel night. When the "watchman" saw the eighteen and thirty thousand persons, first glimmer of light, the time for the finds itself the ploy in a triangular I am delighted to extend my good morning service had arrived. He struggle for power among Polish politi- wishes and congratulations to The Cen- would herald its advent by shouting cal leaders. ter for Russian Jewry on the appearance the one word, not precisely trans- Wladyslaw Gomulka, the present of this, the first issue of its national latable and with a meaning all its leader, is being challenged by two newsletter. Such a publication has long own, "barkai"! The night was no groups, one headed by General Mieczy- been needed. I commend the officers of more. The day had come. slaw Moczar, Minister of Interior and the Center for their initiative. They are It is most fitting that the Directors chief of the security police, and the laboring to build an organization which of the Center for Russian Jewry other by Edward Gierek, the Silesian will become a focus of concern and a should have chosen this one word to party leader. Each is making full use of generator of action for our afflicted caption their new publication. In the anti-Zionist, anti-cosmopolitan line. brethren in the Soviet Union. Tractate Yoma of the Babylonian The first expression of the new policy I am informed that this newsletter will, Talmud, the rabbis tell us that this was the expulsion of the Israeli embassy in the first instance, be sent to rabbis call described the appearance of after the Six Day War. This was followed all over the United States and Canada. "the morning star", which "has by the wholesale ouster of Jews from I remember with emotion my first public shined and flashed forth." government, from industry and from the call to American Jewry on the critical Across the sea, a vast Jewish pop- party. situation of Russian Jews in an address ulace lies shrouded in night. Three to a group of rabbis over four and a half million and more hope and wait. They Following the student demonstrations in Warsaw and Cracow during March years ago. I spoke of Zion's cry in are marked as Jews but may not live 1968, the same fate befell Jews in the Isaiah, "The Lord has forsaken me, and as such. They yearn for the first light, but they are not sure of its coming. universities and the professions. the Lord has forgotten me." Today, Russian Jewry cries: "The Jewish peo- Their days are dark-because of The manner in which Polish Jewry's ple has forsaken me, and the Jewish their Jewishness-yet they do not martyrdom under the Nazis has been people has forgotten me want that light to be forgotten. handled in recent months is sympto- The plight of Jews in Russia cries out We must not forget them. We may matic of the anti-Jewish line. At the end not be silent. As Jews we must cry of last month, during the commemora- for pleading, cries out for action. Yet out at the oppression of other Jews. tion of the twenty-fifth anniversary of there is no sustained action. There is the Warsaw Ghetto Revolt, Polish au- much good work, but still not the con- We must already look to the day certed program of informing and im- when the dark will roll back, and the thorities consistently minimized Jewish night will lift, and once more the call anti-Nazi resistance. An article by Les- pressing upon our own people, and the zek Moczulski states: "Jewish traitors people all over the world, that they are "barkai" will have meaning to the Children of Israel. were dependable tools of Hitler's exter- witness to spiritual genocide. mination." (Cont'd on page 7) (Cont'd on page 8) 2 JUNE, 1968 BARKAI This is the first edition of BARKAI, a publi- cation dedicated to the dissemination of in- formation about the status of Soviet Jewry, to reports on American protest activities and to guidance on programming for local commun- ity action. We hope that it will be one more voice speaking out on behalf of those Jews in The Center For Russian Jewry: Russia who cannot speak for themselves. In future editions, it is our hope that your voice will be heard through BARKAI. We soli- A STATEMENT OF PURPOSE cit your comments and ideas for publication. THE CENTER FOR RUSSIAN JEWRY The complexity of the problem of ing European Jews situated in Russia Jews in Russia, and the fact that some- after the War, must history require that OFFICERS thing can be done-virtually all observ- they have recourse to the same ques- Professor Irving Greenberg Chairman ers are agreed that protest helps-de- tion? Surely it must not be because Melvin Stein mand, we believe, the existence of an American Jews were too busy with other President organization which may devote its full matters. Many centuries ago the great Irwin Heimowitz Vice-President energies to the problem. This means scholars of the Jewish people labored Lawrence Newman an organization which has the time over the responsibilities of Jews to Vice-President Jacob Birnbaum and personnel to think, to test, to care- members of their religious community. Honorary Vice-President fully select and organize and carry out The Talmudic injunction of those days Dr. Judah J. Harris the most effective activities, and to ful- has not been outlived: Treasurer fill the essential day-to-day follow-up "When your brethren are in trouble, Paul W. Freedman Corresponding Secretary that a comprehensive program requires. do not say, 'I have my home, my food Morton Dolinsky It is axiomatic that any group whose and drink; I am safe.' If you were ever Recording Secretary Maurice W. Mezoff major purpose is not the freedom of to think so, the words of the prophet Executive Director Soviet Jewry or any part-time group would apply to you: 'Surely this iniquity will not be able to devote its major shall not be purged from you till you BOARD OF DIRECTORS energies to this task. It will always have die.' He who does not join the commu- Theodore Bikel "something else" on its mind. nity in time of danger and trouble will Hon. William H. Booth Moses Brodetzky It was in an attempt to afford the never enjoy the Divine blessing." (Baby- Monsignor Harry Byrne problem of Jews in Russia the full-time lonian Talmud, Taanith, p. 11a.) Joseph S. Gershman James Gill effort which it requires, then, that the The American Jew of today stands in Prof. Abraham J. Heschel Center for Russian Jewry was estab- a unique position in the thousands of Prof. Herbert Hillman lished. Its intention is to labor unceas- years of history of his people. He lives David Krakow Rabbi Norman Lamm ingly for the achievement of the one and works and shares in an unparalleled Daniel Mars basic goal-freedom for Jews in Russia. affluence. From an historical perspec- Hon. Robert Morgenthau We stand ready to assist any other tive he stands in one of a few points in Rabbi Louis I. Newman Hon. Paul O'Dwyer group which asks our aid for the all Jewish development where material Rabbi Steven Riskin achievement of this goal. Whether the means and physical security are abun- Hon. Burton Roberts request be great or small, so long as it dantly permitted him. The bloodshed, Dr. Joseph B. Schechtman Dr. Hillel Seidman seeks effective dignified action which fear and deprivations known to so many Stanley Seigel will help Russian Jewry, we offer our of his forbears, in so many times and Irving Silverman aid. places, have not been his lot. Meyer Slotkin Mrs. Esther A. Untermeyer We cannot allow much more time to May the Jew in America, then, merely Hon. Carl Vegari go unused. The unrelenting effort of the be satisfied that circumstance has per- Robert M. Weitz Rev. Dr. M. Moran Weston Soviet will not permit this. No ground- mitted him the opportunity he now Elie Wiesel swell of opinion will be generated from shares, and indulge in its benefits with Prof. M. Wyschogrod within Russia soon enough to achieve less than a full concern for those of his the end sought. Nor are the Jews in brethren less fortunately placed? HONORARY PATRONS Russia in a position to help themselves. Or may he view his position in an Hon. Herman L. Badillo Hon. Abraham Beame Only the carefully organized, and con- historical sense, and find that there is Hon. Herbert B. Evans stantly verbalized, suasive force of some obligation which is related to his Cong. Leonard Farbstein Dr. Buell Gallagher world moral opinion can hope to coun- provident ways? Rabbi Immanuel Jakobovits ter the subtle persistency of the Soviet We believe the latter is the case. And Senator Jacob K. Javits policy. so we have established a single group, Cong. Theodore Kupferman Orin Lehman We may not merely decry the injus- whose sole purpose is to seek the reli- Rabbi Aharon Lichtenstein tice, and institute sporadic activities for gious and cultural freedom of those Mayor John V. Lindsay its remedy. The bitter experience of the three million who have the same roots, Hon. Milton Mollen Hon. Frank O'Connor decades before mid-century have taught yet do not enjoy the same sunshine and Bishop James A. Pike us better. If future generations of Jews plenty as we. Bayard Rustin in America are interested in their heri- The existence of one-fifth to one- Cong. James Scheuer Hon. Benjamin Shallek tage, and inquire concerning the Nazi quarter of the Jewish people is now R. Peter Straus holocaust, "Why could nothing be threatened with extinction. We must Dr. Judd Teller done?", what will be the answer? If work to avert history's recording such these same generations turn the calen- tragic occurrence. We must utilize all Suite 8001, Empire State Building New York, N.Y. 10001 dar of history and come to the remain- our resources to prevent it. BARKAI 3 CARTOONS IN THE SOVIET PRESS DEPICT JEWS AS NAZIS Russian Jewry After SIGNED The Six Day War When the Mideast crisis exploded in May 1967, the world protest campaign for Soviet Jewry had to that point re- sulted in some small-though not in- The aggressor's relay baton. significant-breaches in the wall of Bakinski Rabochi/Baku, Azerbaijan SSR/June 23, 1967 Soviet implacability. We had discovered that the Kremlin was indeed sensitive to outside comment on the condition of Day after day, the Soviet press com- Also, visitors report, throughout Eu- Jews within the USSR. Mass closures of pared actions of the Jews of Israel with ropean Russia there exists an under- the worst of Nazi atrocities. General current of admiration for the Israeli synagogues and public trials of Jewish citizens for alleged "economic crimes" Dayan emerged as a monster more ter- army on the part of Jews and non-Jews had been curtailed. Permission to bake rible than Hitler. Cartoons of stereo- alike. One visitor, for example, de- matzoh was being given in increasing typed, hook-nosed creatures, their claws scribed a public fistfight he witnessed measure. Two synagogues had been dripping blood and clutching loot, ap- between two men. One of the other reopened. peared regularly. This intense campaign bystanders, a Russian, shouted from out continued for many months. of the crowd to one of the battlers: Jewish emigration, too, had risen from almost zero to the rate of several From time to time, Soviet propagan- Come on, fight like an Israeli! thousand each year by mid-1967. The dists indicate that they draw a clear line The general situation, however, re- hope of an even wider right of emigra- between anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism. mains uncertain. Though it has not re- However, at the very heart of this cam- voked the few concessions gained (with tion was nurtured by Premier Alexi Kosygin's, December 3, 1966, Paris paign is the constant suggestion that the exception of emigration to Israel), statement sympathetic to the emigration there exists a world-wide Zionist con- the Kremlin is at present more unyield- of Jews for purposes of family reunifi- spiracy (encompassing apparently most ing than ever. The propaganda height- cation. of the world's Jews) in league with- ened anxiety of the Soviet Jewish and to some extent, controlling-U.S. citizen. But underneath that anxiety ap- Soviet Jews no longer felt so isolated. It was becoming clear to them that a imperialism and international finance. pears to burn a new pride in being a growing number of sympathizers in the The effect of all this on the Soviet Jew Jew, and a continued yearning for its free world were deeply concerned with is predictable - he becomes ever more unfettered expression. their plight. suspect. Perceptive visitors report that The Six-Day War of June, 1967, how- despite outward calm, inner anxiety Excerpts from Soviet ever, triggered an anti-Jewish reaction has been much heightened among Rus- and Polish Press of major proportions throughout Eastern sia's Jews. Particularly is this true in Novosty News Agency and the Soviet Press, Europe. A flood of anti-Zionist materials, Asian Soviet-Moslem areas, with their week of Aug. 1, '67-What is Zionism? natural sympathies for the Arab cause. " What is Zionism? Zionism is anti- with strong anti-Jewish overtones, poured out over the mass media. A Yet, at one and the same time, the national and unprincipled. The end justi- fies the means - this ill-famed slogan is great number of meetings was held Six-Day War appears to have given an painted on its shield The principal and extraordinary boost to the morale of well-camouflaged aim of Zionism is the throughout the USSR to condemn Israel. enrichment by any means of the interna- Soviet Jews. Despite the intensified fear, tional Zionist network Zionists actively Dayan to Hitler: a new inner pride and dignity has fol- collaborated with Nazi leaders Move on! lowed the sweeping Israeli victory. Kommunist Ukrainy, Sept. 1967 Before they were shut down, Israeli "In our day Zionism has become the ideol- ogy and practice of the Imperialist Jewish embassies throughout Eastern Europe, bourgeoisie, the financial bosses of the including Russia, were bombarded with USA, England and other Western states, congratulatory phone calls. The remark- the ideology of the Goldwaters and the European Rothschilds. able revival of Jewish feeling among Zionists not only justified Jewish pro- Russian Jewish youth in recent years grams they were program makers continues to increase. Jewish texts and themselves, together with the adherent of Deniken and Petlua, they shot "Yids Yiddish and Hebrew songs are quietly and Communists." circulated, and astonishingly, Israeli "Trybuna Luda" March 16, 1968 (Warsaw) artifacts are among the most sought- Workers of the "Elwa" factory for radio after items in the urban black markets. parts passed a resolution which included the following remarks: - "We have been Young people overflow the limited num- taught a lesson by the experience of the ber of Jewish concerts. And it is esti- last few years, during which the Zionists mated that over 30,000 of them sang had been compromising People's Poland and recently they have been openly com- and danced through the evening at the ing out against the achievements of the Kazakhstanskaya Pravda/ Alma Ata, Kazakh SSR Moscow Synagogue on the night of working classes and the peasants, draw- ing the student youth into their dirty June 21, 1967 Simchas Torah. business." 4 JUNE, 1968 Sciences to attend a meeting on tumor immunity. I know from previous experience that if one tells people anywhere, especially The Plight of Jews in the Soviet Union older people, that one works on cancer, the question will be asked: Is there as by Dr. David W. Weiss yet a cure for cancer? And, indeed, this gentleman asked this question. This gave me my opportunity of saying to On March 18, 1966, an Ad Hoc Commission on the Rights of Soviet Jews held a full day of him-it sounds more natural in the Jew- hearings at which a series of expert academics and eyewitnesses testified. The Commission ish vernacular-something to the effect was chaired by Bayard Rustin and the other members were Norman Thomas, Telford Taylor, that undoubtedly man will find a cure Emil Mazey, James Farmer and Father George B. Ford. for cancer, when the good Lord will be The following is extracted from the testimony of Dr. David W. Weiss, then Professor of willing. Bacteriology, Berkeley, University of California. He now holds the position of Chairman of the Department of Immunology at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. The extract is a particularly The gentleman looked at me with moving introduction of. an eyewitness nature to the problems of Russian Jewry, and so is considerable surprise at this point, and reproduced in this first issue of our newsletter. asked me whether I indeed believed in God. I answered him by saying that in my country, America, it was not un- fashionable for young scientists to hold In the winter of 1965 I was invited by Virtually all Jews with whom I spoke such opinions, and to feel and live a the USSR Academy of Medical Sciences in the Soviet Union-young, middle- strong commitment to their Jewish heri- and by the International Union Against aged, or old-expressed unmistakably tage. The man looked at me dubiously Cancer to attend a meeting in the Soviet some degree of anxiety arising from and with considerable surprise. I then Union on the topic of tumor-specific their condition as Jews. This anxiety asked him if he would be surprised to antigens. I accepted this invitation be- varied from, at the least, a definite sense learn that I wore on my person an Arba cause my own research interests had of uneasiness and considerable uncer- Kanfoth; this is a ritual, or symbolic taken me some years previously, into tainty as to their future in the Soviet garment on whose four corners are this area of biology, and this appeared Union, to a state of mind which can only attached fringes, it is worn by traditional to be an excellent opportunity for an be described, even in the most con- Jews in keeping with a Biblical com- exchange of current information. servative idiom, as terror. mandment. The gentleman said yes, he There was another reason why I My contacts were largely with people would indeed be most surprised if this accepted this invitation. Like many ranging in age from early middle age to were so. And surreptitiously, I opened Americans, I had read reports of anti- advanced age, and my general impres- a button on my shirt and showed him Semitism in the Soviet Union. I have a sion that very young people showed that I indeed wore the Arba Kanfoth. strong commitment to the religious and somewhat lesser degrees of anxiety He said nothing to me for a moment cultural values of Judaism, and to the might therefore be statistically incor- or two, and then he continued our cas- Jewish people as a cultural and ethnic rect. On the whole, the overwhelming ual conversation; but I noticed, within entity. Because of this commitment, and majority of the people with whom I a minute or so afterwards, that he was also because I had myself experienced spoke were very much afraid for their making an odd noise. And then it be- anti-Semitism as a child in Austria im- immediate future, and I can only de- came obvious that he was sobbing. His mediately before and after the An- scribe the feeling communicated to me ladies became very ill at ease at this. schluss to Germany, I have maintained by groups of Jews as, for example, The man could not control his sobs, an active interest in Jewish communities those I met in synagogues, as repre- and so he rose. As he left, he blurted in all parts of the world. senting a state of palpable, strong fear. out, with tears running down his face: Like many Jews I have a tendency On my first free afternoon in Kiev, Tell them at home we cannot hold out to deprecate some accounts of anti- early in my stay in the USSR, I walked much longer here. Tell them we need Semitism as exaggerated. At any rate, in one of the city parks and was ap- help desperately-it is terrible, terrible. I was not at all certain exactly what I proached within a few minutes by a And with this he walked away. would find in the Soviet Union. I say all gentleman of about 60 who asked if I This incident repeated itself again this to indicate that I went to the Soviet were Jewish. I said yes, and asked and again during the rest of my stay in Union without a very strong, preformed him in turn if I might speak with him. the Soviet Union. What started out to bias and prepared to find the position He looked to the left and right and then be casual and indifferent conversations of the Jews, and conditions in general, said. "Yes, but only for a few minutes." turned into desperate pleas for help or considerably different from what I had I sat down next to him on a park into desperate statements of affliction, read and heard. bench. With him were two female rela- of fear, of deprivation, of uneasiness, To my surprise, the majority of the tives of about the same age. We talked and even of spiritual resistance in the Jewish scientists whom I met, both for perhaps seven or eight minutes of face of forced cultural extinction. young and older, men and women of a very casual and pleasant manner and major reputations as well as beginning the gentleman and his ladies seemed to research workers, sought the opportu- be fairly at ease; the conversation was nity to reveal their Jewishness to me. pleasant, the gentleman frequently This often took the form of very touch- laughed at things I said. I thought that DO YOU HAVE ANY RELATIVES ing scenes and incidents. Jewish scien- perhaps my previous experiences in the IN THE SOVIET UNION tists frequently managed to find the Soviet Union were somehow not repre- If you do, you have some chance of opportunity of whispering to me a few sentative and that here, for once, was a bringing them out. However, you must words in Yiddish or Hebrew, such as Jew who showed no sign of fear. And take the first step, that of an official invi- Gut Shabes (Happy Sabbath), or Shalom then I lead the conversation purpose- tation. For more details, contact the United HIAS Service; 200 Park Avenue Aleichem (How are you), as we left to- fully in the direction which I had South; New York, N.Y. 10003. Phone gether a room or restaurant or a hotel planned: When the gentleman asked me (212) 674-6800. lobby, never openly, but on the pretext whether I was in the Soviet Union as a Note: It is most important that you of accidentally jostling me in a passage- tourist, I answered: No, I am here on initiate immediate action on behalf of way. the invitation of the Academy of Medical relatives. Inquire from HIAS now! BARKAI 5 At times in the past, once when Taft was president and even as far back as National Leader Scores the Presidency of General U. S. Grant, the United States government used its influence to ameliorate anti-Jewish pres- sures abroad. Our government has ex- Soviet Anti-Semitism pressed itself on the racial policies of the Union of South Africa and Rhodesia. I do not understand why more cannot be done in Washington to let the rulers of Clear Statement of The government of the Soviet Union the Soviet Union know that the govern- U.S. Responsibility has embarked on a subtle campaign of ment of the United States cares about cultural genocide, to destroy the Jews what happens to the Russians of Jewish We reproduce below an extract from as a people and Judaism as a religion. faith. a speech delivered by Representative I have heard that there are only four Some say that it is all too easy for an Gerald R. Ford (Republican-Michigan) rabbis, all very elderly men, left in the opposition political party to oppose House Minority Leader, on February entire Soviet Union which has a Jewish policies of the administration. In this 28th at East Rockaway, N. Y., and sub- population of over three million. This is instance I want very sincerely to pro- sequently incorporated into the Con- because Soviet authorities have liqui- pose a policy to help Russian Jews. No gressional Record. dated Jewish education, religious such policy exists in the Johnson ad- schools, seminaries, and so forth, to the ministration! Never before has the responsibility of extent that no new rabbis or religious I believe that Russia is responsive, the United States Government towards teachers are being trained. within certain limits, to the pressure of Soviet Jewry been so clearly stated. Jews in Russia are denied even the world public opinion. I believe there are Rep. Ford reminds us that in the past meager religious facilities permitted things that the Kremlin wants from the the administration has indeed "used its non-Jewish minority groups. Pressures United States. Last year the Russians influence to ameliorate anti-Jewish pres- against the Jewish people have been were very eager for the agreement to sures abroad." He goes beyond any of intensified following the defeat by Israel permit the Soviet airline Aeroflot, to of the Russian-backed Arab aggression. have landing rights at Kennedy Airport. the legislators who have recently re- When the USSR severed diplomatic re- An agreement was made to exchange sponded to American Jewish protest on lations with Israel last June all exit visas landing rights. The Russians remain ex- behalf of Russian Jewry, and pledges for Jews were abruptly cancelled. tremely anxious to expand East-West himself to the taking of concrete steps trade. to ease the problem. These are in con- It seems to me that the time has come nection with the expected development to take affirmative action to dramatize of East-West trade after the hoped-for to the Russians that we mean business termination of the Vietnam conflict. on the issue of their treatment of minori- Representative Ford is convinced that ties. When the next measure comes be- Soviet treatment of its Jews will improve fore the Congress involving East-West trade or a similar appropriate bill, I when the Kremlin is made to realize that will advocate an amendment, I hope to continue "is simply bad business in with bi-partisan support, to express the terms of world trade and commerce." sense of the Congress that the Soviet This statement represents a break- Union should display concern for Amer- through for those committed to the ican opinion in Soviet policies affecting Soviet Jewry protest movement. While the Jews. we appreciate past positive declarations Our federal laws now require that all made by many national leaders, few business concerns trading with the Gov- have matched this: ernment treat employees on a non- On October 18, 1964, President Lyn- discriminatory basis, I do not see why we cannot make such a request of the don Johnson sent his personal repre- foreign nations with which we trade, sensative, Mr. Myer Feldman, to a major with special reference to the Soviet rally organized by the Student Struggle Union. The notorious anti-religious poli- for Soviet Jewry in New York's Lower cies of the Soviet Union might be East Side. Mr. Feldman made an impor- ameliorated if the Kremlin comes to tant declaration on behalf of the White realize that such bias is simply bad House, and for some months afterwards, commerce. Representative Gerald R. Ford there were indications of intensified I am confident that a Republican Con- governmental concern. gress would enact such an amendment. It is our earnest hope that a helpful It should be a matter of deep concern I would keep the faith with the six public statement from President John- to all humanity that the Russians are million Jews who died during World War scapegoating the Jews-in effect, hold- II. We grieve that some of those brutal son will shortly be forthcoming and, ing those innocent people hostages for murders could have been averted by above all, that this will result in a new the behavior of the State of Israel. more affirmative action by free people direction in national policy. A wave of propaganda, reminiscent of of other lands at that time. the Nazi era of cruel caricatures, has flooded the state controlled Soviet The following is the excerpt from press. Rep. Ford's speech: A number of the young Russian writers recently sent to jail for publish- The conscience of the world was ing ideas challenging the totalitarian not aroused until too late when Nazi concept were Jewish. *We hope that our readers will write to their Congressmen asking them to match Repre- genocide liquidated over six million Some of America's most eminent citi- sentative Ford's remarks and urge the White Jewish people in Europe. Today, we zens are persons of Jewish faith who House to implement his proposals. find a cruel irony. Some of the survivors still have relatives in Russia. There is a of Nazism, those who reside in the terrible anguish in realizing that another Soviet Union, find themselves again sub- generation of oppression and systematic jected to discriminatory treatment be- cultural genocide may finally liquidate FORD LIBRARY cause of their religious faith. the once-flourishing Russian community. 6 JUNE, 1968 Youth Acts for Soviet Jewry The Student Struggle for Soviet Jewry The Student Struggle for Soviet Jewry community to action for Soviet Jewry. vigils were followed by major parades is perhaps the most vibrant Jewish stu- It has specialized in three types of during the intermediate days of Pass- dent action movement to have arisen activity- over itself. since the feverish years leading up to widespread dissemination of literature The Jericho March of 1965 encircled the creation of the State of Israel. dealing with the status of Soviet Jews the Soviet U. N. Mission to the accom- From its inception in April 1964, and the aims of protest; paniment of the sevenfold sounding of "SSSJ" has left its impression on Jew- advice and guidance on the establish- the Shofar. In this contemporary appli- ish student groups throughout the world. ment of programs and seminars; and cation of the drama of ancient Jericho It operates on the assumption that stu- the careful staging of dramatic public those assembled displayed their fervent dents should be in the vanguard of the demonstrations, usually in conjunction hope that the walls of hate between the Jewish people's aspirations. SSSJ mem- with Jewish holidays and Soviet anni- United States and the USSR would bers do engage themselves in combat- versaries. crumble, and permit the reuniting of ing poverty and discrimination at home, The Pre-Passover "Night of Watch- American and Russian Jews. From the but are also constantly mindful of a ing" (Leyl Shimurium) initiated by SSSJ, beginning of the movement, the Shofar suffering brethren in a distant land. has now become an annual event, ar- had been utilized as SSSJ's symbol-a The main goal of the Student Struggle ticulating the longing and hope for the call to conscience, a call to action, and for Soviet Jewry is to arouse the Jewish redemption of Russian Jewry. Two such the hope of the salvation of Soviet Jewry. IS The 1966 Geulah (Redemption) March of 15,000 to the United Nations was based on the traditional Passover theme of the splitting of the Red Sea. Stanley Sperber's famed Zamir Chorale and Morris Katz's huge banner headed a group which passed singing through two massed columns of students, rep- resenting the split waters. The Lab B'Omer "Jericho Ride" was run for the purpose of bearing the Jer- icho March's petition to Washington. In one afternoon, busloads of students from New York New Jersey, Pennsyl- vania and Baltimore carried out a four- fold mission-a confrontation with So- viet First Secretary Myshkov, a visit to the State Department, a Jericho March around the Soviet Embassy and a cul- minating rally in front of the White House. On Tisha B'Av, information tables and display boards were erected on the beaches of the Rockaways. Two col- umns of marchers swung through the area, accompanied by runners with leaflets. The culmination was a beach rally in which the three New York City mayoral candidates - Lindsay, Beame and Screvane-participated. The enterprising SSSJ movement has produced four Program Handbooks in its four years of existence, a succession of attractive and meaningful buttons and stickers, a postcard and a record, films, FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY CHAIN-IN numerous tapes and Soviet Jewry seals. Members and friends of Student Struggle for Soviet Jewry conduct a "chain-in" at Its newsletter, S.O.S. Soviet Jewry, ap- the Soviet U.N. Mission in New York on November 7th, 1967, the 50th Anniversary pears bi-monthly. of the Russian Revolution. The theme of the protest was "Loosen the Chains of the Oppressed!" The Center for Russian Jewry conducted a simultaneous protest at the Soviet Em- bassy in Washington, D.C. On November 5th, friends of SSSJ at McGill University For further information write: The Student and Montreal Betar spearheaded a march on the Soviet Embassy in Ottawa. Struggle for Soviet Jewry; 531 West 122nd The New York protest received nationwide T.V. coverage. Street, Suite D-34, New York, N.Y. 10027. BARKAI 7 GREETINGS (Cont'd from page 1) We rabbis and scholars, for example, The six million are no more. Now are we overly occupied with more sub- three million face spiritual extinction. Of what avail is sadness without lime issues, like doing research, com- We have been guilty more than once of imagination, compassion without well- posing books, arguing whether to failure to be concerned, of failure to cry conceived and unremitting action? cooperate with rabbis whose outlook or out, and failure may have become our Those who are busy with private careers affiliation does not conform to certain habit. are hardly aware of the drama of ex- standards? Are we too busy raising The destiny of all Jews is at stake in tinction that goes on behind the Iron funds for new synagogues, celebrating the destiny of every Jew; the destiny of Curtain. When occasionally confronted Bar Mitzvahs and testimonial dinners? all men is at stake in the destiny of with it they are sad about for a reason- Are we too busy in the nineteen-sixties every man. able amount of time. just as we were busy in the nineteen- There is a dreadful moral trauma that A prudent man is he who minds his forties.? haunts many of us: The failure of those own business, who is busy making The trouble with our morality is its of us who lived in free countries to do money, buying a new car, and being moderation. We try to strike a balance our utmost in order to save the Jews proud of his success in society. And while the world is out of joint. We try under Hitler. who among us is not practical and pru- to keep a happy medium while the There is a nightmare that terrifies me dent? agony is extreme. today: The unawareness of our being Our conscience dwells secure, we If we are ready to go to jail in order involved in a new failure, in a tragic cast the blame in inevitable Fate. The to destroy the blight of racial bigotry, dereliction of duty. rhetoric of indifference is highly effec- if we are ready to march to Washington East European Jewry vanished. Rus- tive. It is extremely easy to adjust to in order to demonstrate our identifica- sian Jewry is the last remnant of a peo- other people's suffering graciously. tion with those who are deprived of ple destroyed in extermination camps, Discomfort and disturbance which equal rights, should we not be ready to the last remnant of a spiritual glory come with compassion are feelings go to jail in order to end the martyrdom that is no more. Let the twentieth cen- which a normal person, it seems, in- of our Russian brethren? To arrange tury not enter the annals of Jewish his- stinctively abhors. Not to think of the sit-ins, protests, days of fasting and tory as the century of physical and Russian Jews is a habit smoothly ac- prayer, public demonstrations to which spiritual destruction. quired and effectively preserved. even Russian leaders will not remain If I forget thee, O Russian Jewry The quality of concern for those in indifferent? The voice of our brothers' distress has always been the heart of agony is crying to us! How can we be Jewish existence. Today, the mass of silent? How can we remain passive? The major portion of this article is taken from American Jewry remains too busy to be How can we have peace of mind or live an earlier, but still timely, address printed in THE INSECURITY OF FREEDOM, Noonday concerned. with our consicence? Press, 1966. AJH Suicide in Prague? "Neither Polish patriots nor The popular reaction of the churchmen, neither intellectuals Czechoslovak people against the nor resistance members helped NEWS BRIEFS Russians is manifesting itself in the Jews," he charged. "The few an insistent demand that the individuals who did so are all the deaths of several distinguished more praiseworthy." individuals under earlier Commu- "The Polish underground lead- nist regimes should be carefully ers, some of whom are today en- Move to Bar Soviets Poles Purge, Czechs Criticize investigated. Did Jan Masaryk gaged in distorting history to hide From Olympic Games really commit suicide? Was Ru- their shame, left the ghetto fighters The Czech trade union paper, dolf Slansky really guilty of the in the lurch, falsely claiming they Measure for measure, says Rep. PRACE, published an appeal on monstrous crimes of which he was had no arms for them when, in Jack McDonald (R-Mich.). If South May 5th by three Czech writers - accused in one of the show trials fact, they had large stocks." Africa is to be banned from the Pavel Kohout, Jan Prochazka and of the century? Is it possible that Olympic Games because of her Amost Lustig, urging Polish lead- Charles H. Jordan, the American policy of apartheid, so should the ers "to put an end to the shame- director of the "Joint", committed U.S.S.R. for her oppression of ful anti-semitism" sweeping that 1000 Years of Czech Jewry: suicide? Jews. "Is Russia's long record of nation. Official Celebrations Some Czech newspapers now persecution of members of the assert that Stalin himself sent Mi- Jewish religion less obnoxious Czech Jews Come Alive The Czech government has ap- koyan to Prague to order the trial parently already accepted one of than South Africa's policy toward One of the most extraordinary of Slansky, then Party Secretary- the requests of the Council of its black people?" he asks. manifestations of the new Czecho- General. Czechoslovak Jewish Communi- Rep. Seymour Halpern has slovakia has been a 1500-word, ties. Cancelled under the old called for a similar ban against six-point declaration by the Coun- Hausner Reveals Polish Perfidy Prague regime at the time of the Poland. cil of Czechoslovak Jewish Com- The determined prosecutor of Six-Day War, an official celebra- munities. Adolf Eichmann recently revealed tion of the 1000th anniversary of Building Bridges to East Europe Stressing ties with Jews abroad the full story of Polish perfidy un- Jewish settlement in Czechoslo- Proving itself again the maverick and praising Czech public opinion der the Nazi occupation. "Only in vakia will now take place next year in the field of Soviet-bloc politics, for not being misled by one-sided Poland," recounted Gideon Haus- with the full participation of Jews Rumania is developing ever-closer anti-Israel propaganda, the Coun- ner at a special Knesset "Holo- from abroad. ties with Israel. About 300 Israeli cil called on the Czech govern- caust Memorial Day" in Jeru- Giving further recognition to the industrialists are taking part in an ment to restore the rights and salem, "did so many welcome the cultural contribution of Czech Israeli trade fair in Bucharest. dignity befitting an ancient Jew- Holocaust with joy. Nowhere else Jewry to Prague and all Europe, Meanwhile, the Sephardic Chief ish community. This restoration did so many people betray, rob, an officially-approved exhibition Rabbi of Israel, Rabbi Itzhak Nis- should include official condemna- blackmail and massacre Jews. opened at the Jewish State Mu- sim, announced plans to visit Ru- tion of anti-semitism, rehabilita- One quarter of the Nazi forces seum early in May. It was de- mania in July at the invitation of tion of the purged and freedom attacking the Warsaw Ghetto when scribed as offering "the richest that nation's Chief Rabbi, Dr. of religious education for Jewish it revolted were Polish collabora- assemblage of Jewish religious Moses Rosen. youth. tors. artifacts in existence." 8 JUNE, 1968 NEW DANGERS (Cont'd from page 1) In response to the incidents in Po- land, a number of distinguished legis- lators have already spoken out. These include Senator Jacob K. Javits-pre- eminent for his stand on behalf of Soviet Jewry over nearly two decades-and Congressman Emmanuel Celler. The TVT БУДЕ СПОРУДЖЕНО ПАМЯТНИК late Senator Robert F. Kennedy issued a statement which was read into the M ЛЮ Congressional Record on April 8, 1968, ЖЕРТВАМ ЗАОДІЯНЬ ФАШИЗМУ by Senator Tydings of Maryland. ПӀД·ЧАС ТИМЧАСОВОЇ ОКУПАЦИ some of the (Polish) leaders of government try to explain away the expres- MICTA 1941-1943 POKAX sion of new hopes and new dreams with the old myths of a Zionist conspiracy. Old hatreds are enlisted in the regime's effort to preserve its monopoly of power. Gov- ernment officials and distinguished teach- ers are dismissed from their posts, and reviled as enemies of the nation. "These policies should be condemned by all who value liberty and oppose the evils of racism and prejudice. Before the passions that have been unleased lead to catastrophe for the Jews of Poland, free men everywhere should protest the con- duct of the Polish government by every "NO MONUMENT STANDS AT BABI YAR available means. If we remain silent, we betray the cause of freedom in Poland and around the world." This, the first line of Yevtushenko's passionate poem marked the beginning of a world out- cry focused upon the enormous martyrs' graves in the Babi Yar ravine just outside of Kiev. During a 36-hour period from September 29th to 30th 1941, the Nazis and Ukrainians murdered 33,711 Jews. The massacre continued for weeks thereafter to a total of at least 100,000. For a quarter of a century, the ravine graveyard remained desolate, strewn with garbage and overgrown with weeds. Plans to erect a memorial were systematically obstructed. Tourists had much difficulty in visiting. Finally, a proposal to build a sports stadium on the site, created a furor of internal protest led by the distinguished novelist Nekrasov. Yuvtushenko followed in 1961 with his polemical poem and, after five more years of public pressure, a rough slab was erected with the following inscription: "Here will be placed a monument to the Soviet people, victims of fascism 1941-3." No reference is made to the Jewish martyrdom at the site. The photo above was brought back by one of our members shortly after the erection of the marker at Babi Yar. Why this Soviet obdurancy to the natural desire to raise a monument at Babi Yar? Are the Soviet authorities anxious to brush aside the question of the Jewish dead because they wish to avoid acknowledging the problem of the Jews alive in their midst today? Is there an abiding sense of guilt relating to the involvement of Soviet citizens in the massacre? BABI YAR "YARTSEIT" We propose that September 29th, 1968, be set aside as a public Memorial Day to the martyrs of Babi Yar. BABI YAR MONUMENT We suggest, too, that an artist of appropriate stature be approached to design a fitting monument. This would be solemnly dedicated in America, Western Europe and in Israel in The events taking place within Poland anticipation of the day when it may be dedicated in that notorious ravine itself. have special significance for those The Center for Russian Jewry in the months ahead hopes to seek the fostering of these concerned with the welfare of Russian two objectives. Comments or suggestions from Barkai readers relative to these projects will be welcome. Jewry. The conflicts in Poland are criti- cal because of their possible effects on similar struggles taking place within the Soviet Union. The New York Times of BASIC MATERIALS ON SOVIET JEWRY April 14, 1968 warns of the feelings developing in Moscow in response to Full Introduction Comprehensive Periodic Review of Events the events taking place in Eastern Eu- Ben Ami, Between Hammer and Sickle. Jew- Jews in Eastern Europe. London. Available ish Publication Society, 1967. through The Center and Jewish Minorities rope: Research. "The wind of change blowing over East- Pamphlet Surveys ern Europe is felt with apprehension in the Decter, Moshe, "Status of the Jews in the Action Literature Kremlin - both for what it bodes for the Soviet Union." Foreign Affairs, January 1963. American Jewish Conference on Soviet international communist movement and Korey, William, "The Legal Position of Jews Jewry, For Soviet Jewry, 1967. (c/o N.C.R.- for its effect on restive intellectuals at in the Soviet Union." Midstream, May 1966. A.C.; Room 1530, 55 West 42nd Street, New home Eyewitness Accounts (in reprint form) York, New York 10036). Center for Russian Jewry, Common Sense Past history has taught that the Ben - Israel, Shelomo, Russian Sketches. Today, 1967. Kremlin reaction to unrest and change American Jewish Committee, 1967. Cleveland Council on Soviet Anti-Semitism, Ben Zev Joseph, "A Tourist Meets Some has been toward severe and repressive Handbook for Community Action, 1966. Soviet Jews After the June War" B'nai B'rith (14308 Triskett Road, Cleveland, Ohio 44111). measures. The Soviet campaign of anti- Jewish Monthly, February, 1968. Student Struggle for Soviet Jewry. Program Semitism in the mass communications Kaufman, Michael, "Visit to Russia." Jewish Handbooks, 1965, 1966, 1967. (531 West media after the Six Day War and the Life, November-December, 1967. 122nd Street, suite D-34, New York, N.Y. Weiss, David, "A Culture in Torment" Dissent, 10027). continuing repressive acts against Jews July-August, 1966. Soviet Jewry Exhibit-14 panels, each 2' X 3', in Poland heightens the danger that Wiesel, Elie, The Jews of Silence. Holt, Rine- from The Center. reaction within the Soviet Union may hart and Winston, 1966 (hardcover) and Sig- Buttons, seals, stickers, records, films, tapes, well be focused upon its 3 million Jews. net (paperback), 1967. The classical eye- postcard - from The Center and The Student witness account. Struggle for Soviet Jewry.