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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States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.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
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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.