I was privileged to sponsor. along with Representative MIKE BARNES of Maryland. other Members of Congress. and the Union of Councils for Soviet Jews. a reception honoring Ida Nudel on this. her 50th birthday. Our gathering was a celebration of her life and her commitment to freedom. It served to renew our dedication to securing her liberation from brutal exile in Siberia through her redemption in Israel. and to assisting the thousands of Soviet refuseniks whose only wish is to emigrate. Although Ida Nudels birthday falls on the day after the last day of Passover. Rabbi Stephen Listfield of Adas Israel Congregation nevertheless chose to invoke a prayer over matzahthe bread of affliction and the bread of hope. Messages were read from Idas sister in Israel. Elana Friedman. Lev Rouitburd. who emigrated a short time ago. spoke of Ida as the "Guardian Angel" of the refusenik movement. and voiced his certainty that we would. one day. be able to celebrate together with Ida in freedom. All who have met herand I spoke with Ida in Moscow in 1978know that she is an extraordinary woman whose spirit can never be imprisoned. She has done more for Soviet Jewry than any other person. and she has been sentenced to Siberia for her courage.
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emigrate emigrated