Anatoly Shcharansky was very much in our thoughts since March 15. the date of that vigil. was the eighth anniversary of Shcharanskys arrest. But here we are a year later. now 9 years since Shcharanskys arrest. and that brilliant scientist is still being held captive and isolated. In fact. very little has changed in this past year for Soviet Jews. emigration figures continue to decline and life for those who wish to practice their religion remains miserable. But again. we must take a lesson from Elena Fridman. the sister of Ida Nudel. guardian angel of the prisoners of conscience. Ms. Fridman continues to write to Congressmen and officials all over the world asking that they do whatever they can for her sister. whom she has not seen for 13 yearssince Elena was granted an exit visa and Ida refused for "reasons of state interest." My latest communication from Ms. Fridman contains an article about her sister. some stark grey postcards with a single flame and the message "Let there be light." and a short handwritten note. The note asks that I send one of the cards on Ida Nudels behalf and "give the others to friends to do the same." So w(. must all take a lesson from Elena Fridman.
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