The United States and other Western nations must always remain vigilant with respect to the repression of Jews by the U.S.S.R. But our vigilance takes on an added sense of urgency when a meeting between the heads of our respective Governments is imminent. The SovietAmerican summit is only weeks away. and it is at this meeting that the Soviet leadership must be told that America regards the religious freedoms and emigration rights of Soviet Jews as a matter of the highest importance. I am proud to serve in a body that cares about these fundamental freedoms. At the request of the majority leader. all 100 Senators recently signed a letter to President Reagan in behalf of those Jews who are persecuted by the Soviet regime. This appeal and others like it could not have come at a better time. The situation facing all Jews in the Soviet Union is worsening. Emigration remains at abysmally low levels. and persecution and antiSemitic propaganda are on the rise. The cumulative impact of such oppression on Soviet Jews is Immeasurable. When the leaders of the faith are imprisoned. and when children are denied religious instruction. the future of Judaism In the U.S.S.R. is jeopardized. The impact of such official repression on individual families is also abhorrent. Several days ago. I had the opportunity to talk with a young Jewish woman who was fortunate enough to emigrate from the Soviet Union 11 years ago. Anna Rosnovskl is a brave and gifted woman. who now travels the world with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra performing concerts to benefit Soviet Jews. But Annas sister. Helena KeissKuna. has not been as fortunate. Helena applied to emigrate from the Soviet Union at about the same time as her sister. But Helenas request was turned down. and like so many refuseniks. she has been refused employment ever since her attempt to leave the U.S.S.R. Helenas husband was refused emigration rights at the same time. Though he has since been able to find odd Jobs. his wages are not nearly enough for himself. Helena. and their son.
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emigrate emigration Emigration