I am "adopting" Mr. Gennady Khasin. a professor of math. a Hebrew teacher. and longterm "refusenik." Mr. Khasin first applied to emigrate in 1976 but was refused for reasons of "state interest." Gennady and his wife Natasha have both lost their jobs as a result of applying to emigrate. Adding insult to injury. Mr. Khasin has been threatened with prosecution for "parasitism" because he is unemployed. The Khasins have been subject to severe harassment by the KGB. including repeated searches of their home and confiscation of Hebrew language books. personal letters. a tape recorder. and Natashas emigration invitation from Israel as well as some of her daughters personal belongings. In spite of all of this. Gennady and Natasha have remained activists. Natasha maintains contact with a group called Prisoners of Conscience. filling in for Ida Nudel. who is currently living in exile. In December 1982. the Khasins were informed by Soviet officials that they need never apply to emigrate again. because their refusals were considered permanent and irrevocable. Even if this dire announcement had not been made. Gennady Khasin would have very little hope because his mother. Adela. who was his only relative living in Israel and therefore the only person able to send him the needed invitation to emigrate. died last month. In April of this year. Gennady was summoned for reserve dutyeven though he has never served in the army before and is now beyond the age of military service.
Keywords matched
emigrate emigration