Andrei Sakharov. or his wife. Dr. Yelena Bonner. to emigrate to the West. The international community was particularly distressed due to Dr. Bonners pressing need for specialized health care unavailable to her in the Soviet Union. Thus. it is quite clear that religious. political. and personal repression are not unique to the Aizenberg family. The themes of oppression and internal exile are. unfortunately. old and familiar ones which continue to persist in the Soviet Union. The story of Boris and Rita Aizenberg is one of many which captures and depicts the plight of those in Russia who dare to seek permission to emigrate anywhere. let alone Israel. Although a grave disappointment. it is of little surprise to the free world that the Soviets have virtually closed the door on Jewish emigration. This is undeniable in view of the unhappy fact that Jewish emigration has declined 98 percent since 1979. It is against this background Mr. President. that I am proud to join with a number of my colleagues as a participant in the Second Annual Congressional Fast and Prayer Vigil for Soviet Jewry.
Keywords matched
emigrate emigration