Speech #920225358

It is well to note historically that the Soviet regime has sought. in vain. to prevent the remembrance and commemoration of this atrocity. which was only one of many perpetrated upon the Jews of Europe. Raised in an orphanage. he attended a trade school and eventually became an engineer. The harsh realities of Jewish life in Russia brought out his own pride in his background. and he shortly became a Jewish activist. seeking to assert *his rights to practice his faith and to emigrate to Israel. After the amazing triumph of Israel in 1967. a meeting was called in his factory to condemn the Israelis.. Rather than participate. he stepped forth. proclaiming his Jewishness and pride in Israel and her accomplishments. Afterward. he insisted on seeking to commemorate the Babi Yar massacre. in the process singlehandedly challenging the entire Soviet system. He then applied to authorities for permission to emigrate to Israel. Eventually he was arrested and brought to trial. in the same courthouse where the Mendel Beiliss trial was held. During the course of that trial. traditional antiSemitic hostility was much in evidence. Kochubievskys demeanor throughout the ordeal was exemplary. as he maintained that he wishes to emigrate because of the continuation .within Russia of antiSemitism. He asserted. with great truth. that official Soviet policy engendered hostility and hate on the part of the Russian population against Jewish citizens. He was sentenced to 3 years in a labor camp.