Rimma is a telephone communication engineer. while Jacob worked as a technician in a rubber shoe factory. In July of 1974. the Sosnas and their only child. Boris. a 28yearold electric engineer. applied for emigration visas together with an 85yearold grandmother and a disabled uncle. A visa was granted only to Boris. who was forced to go to Israel alone. The Sosnas lost their jobs. and were told they would have to wait until 1985 for their visas. The reason for refusal: Security. The Sosnas are unfortunately typical of the manner in which Jews and dissidents are treated in the Soviet Union. Family separation. economic hardship. and social obstracization have become the trademarks of Soviet policy toward those who seek to emigrate. The Helsinki Agreement has been made a travesty of international accord. As Boris writes: That is the way they fulfill the agreement about uniting families--separating the only son from the family unit.
Identified stereotypes
Jews and dissidents are treated poorly in the Soviet Union.