We are honored to have over 200 rabbinical leaders from around the country join us in this important event. In view of the arms control discussions now taking place between United States and Soviet officials in Geneva and the recent transition in Soviet leadership. it is particularly fitting that we take this time to demonstrate our support for Soviet Jews. As we are all very well aware. last year saw an all time low in Jewish emigration. Emigration fell from its 1979 figure of 51.320 to 896 in 1984. in part due to recent changes In application procedures. The applications now require the disclosure of the names of all relatives. placing relatives under the Soviet Governments scrutiny along with the applicant. Many of these applications are held up in the review process so that the applicants are left waiting for months while the Soviet Government claims to be processing their request to emigrate to Israel. In the meantime. they are dismissed from their jobs and forced to take menial jobs or risk criminal prosecution. Sometimes their children are expelled from colleges or universities or their personal property is confiscated.
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