Yet. Shcharanskys release is bittersweetwe rejoice in his hardfought victory. but we are reminded of the thousands who are left behind. Jewish emigration from the U.S.S.R. has declined from a high of 51.320 in 1979 to a paltry 890 In 1984. One of those thousands left behind is Aleksandr Paritsky who was arrested and sentenced to 3 years hard labor for allegedly failing to file his work order and "defaming the Soviet state." Though released from prison in 1984. he and his family have yet to be granted the visa they requested in 1976 to emigrate to Israel. This week I learned that Mr. Paritsky suffered a heart attack. raising questions and heightening anxiety about his physical condition. Accordingly. I once again have written to Soviet authorities on behalf of this courageous man. urging he be granted permission to emigrate as he desires. Internal harassment and persecution of Soviet Jews is on the rise. We should not be deluded into thinking that the release of a highly profiled dissident like Shcharansky is an indication that the treatment of all Soviet Jews has improved.
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