Lev Elbert is a devout Jew whose deep religious convictions were doubtless learned from his father. a Soviet Army hero who was decorated seven times. Lev Elbert refuses to work on the Sabbath and on "subbotnik" days. when labor is volunteered to the state. His application for permission to emigrate was originally turned down on the grounds that his military service gave him access to state secretsalthough he had served with a construction battalion that built a swimming pool. Since the first refusal. in October 1977. the reason has been changed to "insufficient kinship." Lev and his wife Inna are prominent members of Kievs Jewish community. Their religious activities have resulted in harassment by the authorities. and vicious newspaper articles have been published about them.
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