Speech #980049526

The brutal treatment of this American by the KGB serves as testimony to the treatment Soviet Jews. such as the Nepomnishskys. encounter regularly. The Solomon Schechter Schools Soviet Jewry program comes in response to the deteriorating situation which faces Soviet Jews today. Emigration of Jews from the Soviet Union has dropped to its lowest level since 1970. Only approximately 450 Jews have been allowed to leave the country thus far this year. a virtual shutdown of Jewish emigration compared to the more than 20.000 who were allowed to emigrate during the first 5 months of 1979. At the same time the many thousands of Jews who are forced to remain are subject to greatly increased harassment. discrimination. and religious persecution. The schools year long support of the Nepomnishsky family and of all Soviet Jews is a great comfort for those struggling to leave the Soviet Union as it confirms for them that we in the free world have not forgotten their plight. The schools June 9 rally publicly demonstrates the outrage on the part of many Americans at the Soviet Governments shutdown of Jewish emigration and heightened persecution of the Jews within its borders. I strongly applaud the Solomon Schechter Schools Soviet Jewry program of study and action. I Join with its children. teachers. and parents as well as the many Soviet Jewry advocates of this body. in continuing my strong and active support of Jews and all others to freely emigrate from the Soviet Union.e