Two years ago. I adopted Dr. Josif Begun. a refusenik who was imprisoned for his attempts at strengthening Jewish identity and preserving Jewish culture in the Soviet Union. After applying for an exit visa to Israel in 1971. Dr. Begun was fired from a series of jobs and could only find work as a Hebrew and math tutor. In March of 1977. he was arrested on charges of "parasitism." Begun embarked on a hunger strike of over 100 days. but was forcedfed every 3 days. He was arrested again in 1982 on charges of antiSoviet agitation and propaganda. and this time sentenced to 7 years in a labor camp to be followed by 5 years of internal exile.