Alla. a pediatrician. was out of work for 3 years after their first refusal. She now has a job in a state clinic but is forced to make house calls and do other odd jobs shunned by her coworkers. Despite these hardships. the Kelman family continues to hope and plan for the day when they will receive permission to emigrate. In the meantime. they have found great strength and solace within the study and practice of Judaism. Boris acts as a spokesman for a large circle of Leningrad refuseniks and Alla coordinates medical services for much of this community. The entire Kelman family maintains a kosher home. studies Hebrew and Judaica. and celebrates major Jewish holidays and events. It should be noted that there is a great deal of risk involved in the Kelman familys active participation in Jewish culture. It is now 10 years since the Kelman family first applied for permission to emigrate. They have recently endured another setback. In December. they were once again refused an exit visa. How long will the Kelmans have to wait? Please join me in appealing to the Soviet government for a successful and prompt resolution to the Kelman familys case. In addition. please also join me in calling for the reform of the Soviet emigration process so that the fundamental human right of any individual to leave any country. including their own. is respected and upheld.
Keywords matched
emigrate emigration visa