The systematic denial of these rights is abhorrent. This oppression. however. is increasing. Jewish emigration from the Soviet Union has fallen dramatically since its 1979 peak of 51.320. Last year. just 1.140 Jews were allowed to leave. while hundreds of thousands would take the opportunity if it were available. Some 250 families have been waiting to leave for 10 years or more. We have seen no sign of any change in this abysmal performance. We are pleased by the release of Anatoly Shcharansky. The emigration of one wellknown intellectual. however. does nothing for the thousands like Grigory Lederman who still suffer. We must recognize that conditions for Soviet Jewry in general continue to deteriorate. Officially sanctioned restrictions on the practice of Judaism and Jewish culture abound.
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emigration