A recent television program in Leningrad identified members of the Jewish community. by name. with all manner of international plots to undermine the Soviet system. Hebrew teachers have been arrested and many religious ceremonies that pass the Jewish tradition to the younger generation have been officially banned. Yet. members of the Jewish community who wish to leave the Soviet Union are denied the right to emigrate and are branded as traitors for wanting to leave. The Kagan family of Leningrad are among the people who have suffered under this policy. Abram and his family have been trying to leave the Soviet Union since 1976. At that time. there was greater hope than there is today that the Jewish people wishing to leave the Soviet Union would be allowed to do so. Since then. the flow of emigrants has slowed to a tricklefrom 51.000 people in 1979 to only 900 last year. More and more Members of Congress have taken up the challenge with regard to these people. Members of Congress have participated in events to send a message to the world that many people in the United States are concerned and are watching for signs of better times.
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emigrate emigrants