I heard their personal stories of struggle. heartless repression and relentless harassment. Yet. like Shcharansky. they never give up hope. With Shcharanskys release in February 1986. there was a general feeling of hope that the event might reflect a dramatic turnaround in the Soviets emigration policy. Yet. the numbers tell the true story. From over 51.000 Soviet Jews who emigrate in 1979. the number dropped to 1.100 in 1985. From all indications. 1986 will be no different. Through March. a total of only 210 Jews left Russia. The release of Anatoly Shcharansky proves that we must maintain pressure on the Soviet authorities if we are going to succeed. The fight must go on. We must spread the word to Jew and nonJew alike to take up the cause of freedom for Soviet Jews and others in that country who seek religious freedom and the right to emigrate. By our efforts in Congress and by uniting all our efforts together in solidarity. we will succeed. One day. the gates of freedom will be open and the dream of "This Year in Jerusalem" will come true for all who seek it.
Keywords matched
emigrate emigration