2--THE BULLET]N^Fridoy, June 18, 1971
£dMJto/i!L UJuiw
Agony of the
innocent
r mem
THE SEPARATION of children from their parents, whether forced or voluntary, is always a cause for anxiety and sadness. In the case of the Jewish people of Russia, however, the suffering is without limit.
I can still hear the weeping of an aging mother at the Western Wall in Jerusalem. The nearly-blind woman choked as she told me that, so far, her letters to President Podgorny on behalf of her son had gone unanswered. She had appealed to the Soviet leader for clemency for her physician son who had been sentenced to a lengthy prison term for the crime of wanting to join her in Israel. One wonders why one of the world's most powerful nations v/ould want to inflict so much suffering on innocent people.
ANOTHER CASE is that of a father, Ulrich Gait, who formerly lived in Cherno-witz, Russia, and now resides in Jaffa, Israel. He told his story in an open letter to the U.N. Human Rights Commission:
"On February 2, 1971, I received an exit permit to leave for Israel with my family, my wife, Rosa Michaelovna, and son Michail Ulrichovich. We had completed all the required formalities. We had returned our apartment, paid the fee of 900 rubles per person for Soviet documents, received the exit visa stamped on our passport, received the entry visa to Israel from the Netherlands Embassy and the transit visas for Austria and Hungary. All that remained was to buy our railroad tickets.
"But just before our departure date, I was called to Ovir in Chemowitz, to Col. Yefymov, who told me to return all my visas though they had been granted in strict accordance with the law, and to receive Soviet papers. I had to return the visas, but refused to accept Soviet documents.
"I complained about Ovir in Cherno-witz to Ovir of the USSR in Moscow, to Col. Ovchinikov, who promised that the incident would be settled and that we would soon be permitted to leave. But when I returned to Chernowitz, Col. Yefymov told me that Ovchinikov is not an authority for him and that he handles his problems by himself.
"Meanwhile our economic situation had become catastrophic. All our belongings had been packed and removed for shipment. For one-and-a-half months we were all unemployed and unable to earn our bread.
"Yefymov tried to persuade me to remain in the USSR, but met with my deter-
mined refusal. On March 23rd, he advised me to leave alone, and my wife and my son would come later. Because I thoug-ht that once out of Russia, I would be better able to fight for their right to join me, I agreed. But ■ more than seven weeks have passed and my family is still not permitted to leave. Their situation is desperate. With no work, no money, and the enforced separation, they are on the verge of collapse.
"On May 11th, after trying for weeks, I succeeded in reaching them by telephone. My wife could not stop crying, ana my son said that if they don't let him leave, he will commit suicide. My son has not Vorked for six months, for as soon as he presented his docuriients, he was fired.
"In the name of Humanity, I that you use the influence of your authority with the Soviet Government let my wife and son join me.'
BY HENRY LEONARD
'No, Bob, contrary to what you said, I insist that Rabbi Eleazar ben Arach demonstrated much greater sagacity and acumen in Talmudic discourse, than his contemporary. Rabbi Joshua ben Hananiah."
J
Copr.
Dayenu ProduclloRS
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TWO OTHER PARENTS now at v/it's end about their child are Rubin and Rivka Aleksandrovieh. Rivka is in Israel but her husband chose to remain in Russia at the side of their ailing daughter, Ruth, who was being- held, prisoner in Riga and has since been sentenced to prison. She was arrested on Oct. 7, 1970, one week before her wedding". There are grave doubts of her ability to survive her prison sentence and she is being denied medical treatment.
In Viancouver, Hadassah-Wizo h a s spearheaded an effort to help obtain her release. Doctors are now being- asked to cable the Soviet Embassy in Ottawa seeking Ruth Aleksahdrovich's release on medical-humanitarian grounds (see story page one).
Meanwhile in Moscow there are 12 Jewish Mothers who are willing- to undergo the agony of separation from their children because of what they have described as the slanderous atmosphere in against the Jewish people.. They have called on World Wizo to help them get their children to Israel, even without them.
Here in Vancouver the cry has been taken up by Hadassah-Wizo which has been supported by Pacific Region, Federated Zionist Organization of Canada and Vancouver Soviet Jewry Action Committee. A petition (see same story page one) will be circulated beginning this weekend demanding that Soviet authorities comply with the request of these Mothers to let their children go to Israel.
Every humanitarian, Jewish and non-Jewish, should sign their names to support the freedom cry of these courageous people.
UrmSTOmEmmi students spur
Judaic courses
WASHINGTON   — Pressures:
Generous support made Golden Age conhb memorable
Dear Mr. Kaplan:
Vancouver Golden Age Club recently hosted a memorable tri-city convention here. There were countless volunteers, members at large, organizations, groups and individuals in the community who unselfishly contributed greatly to the success of the convention through their support and hard working efforts.
Through the medium of The Bulletin, which so generously provided jpublicity for th^v event and was so helpful, Goldei)^:i^eris are taldLng the liberty alsp^ to express their sincere gratitude to all their friends and supporters. The list Russia   basins   with:   Schara Tzedeck Sisterhood and S.T. youth groups; National Council of Jewish Women and the diligent volunteers who undertook  the   convention with Golden Age members; Beth Israel Sisterhood; B'nai B'rith Women andB.B.Y.O.
But the list could go on and on and Golden Agers want to leave no one out. From members and executive of the club •— thanks to each and every one from the heart.
MRS. FANNY SAMUELS, Corresponding Sec.
generated by Jewish students at two area universities for Judaic^ studies programs may bring about introduction of such courses at^ both   schools   fbr  the 1971-72 academic year. The campaigns for such courses at Maryland University and American Univ^" ersity here were reported in an issue- of Doreinu, published by the Baltimore-Washington Union of Jewish Students.
The Maryland Universitk^ Committee for Jewish Sadies is petitioning the university'i&var-' ious departments for ah inter-^ disciplinary program leading 'to an undergraduate maj6r degree in Judaic studies.  '   *     ; <
The publication reported that the campaign was centred arbuhd the Louis L.Kaplan chair of Jewish History Studies and that the committee hoped to obtain ai formal listing of related courses in the areas of sociology, philosc^hy, literature, language and history.
Urge 'Bosh Chodesh' plan to
ease Israel Sabbath problem
NEW YORK—Thirteen American Sabbath legislation which limit's Jewish leaders called recently for their activity on the one free day the enactment by the Knesset of a  of the week:
labor law amendment encompassing the "Rosh Chodesh" plan in order to avoid further friction over Sabbath-observance in Israel.
In a cable to Prime Minister Golda Meir, the group urged her to use her influence to secure passage of the amentment, formally introduced into the Knesset by M.K. Zevulun Hammer of the national religious party.
The plan was devised by Dr. Norman Lamm, professor of Jewish philosophy at Yeshiva university and rabbi of the Jewish Centre in New York City, in response to what the Jewish leaders termed the bickering and animosity surrounding Sabbath-observance in Israel.
Religious Jews, the cable noted, feel offended when national sporting contests and other public events take place on Saturdays, and the non-observant feel constrained by~
The Lamm Plan calls for declaring Rosh Chodesh (the first day of each Hebrew month) as ah official day of rest. The New Moon was observed in ancient Israel as a day of public festivity, but traviel and other Sabbath restrictions do
hot apply to it. Because Rosh Chodesh some-'
times falls on Saturday, and Rosh Hashahah is always the New Moon, there are about nine days per year that would then be available for all national atheletic, cultural, and other activities, satisfying all segments of Israeli society.
The Labor Alignment in the Israeli Knesset has so far opposed the amendment on the grounds of the additional strain it would cause to the economy, the Jewish leaders noted. Sponsors of the Plan, who consider it a way-station to the eventual five-day week, have proposed   various  ways  of com-
pensating for the extra holidays.
Whatever extra economic burden it would cause beyond this, they argue, costs the State less than the acrimony and strife in the wake of the periodic outbreaks over Sabbath violations.
Ctitholic Univ. honors Rabbi
NEW YORK — One of the largest Catholic universities in the U.S. the Jesuit sponsored St. Louis University, invited Rabbi Marc Tanenbaum to deliver the commencement address before an estimated audience of 8,000 persons in St. Louis.
This is believed to be the first
time that the Catholic university invited a rabbi to be its commence-^
ment speaker.
Rabbi Tanenbaum, who is national director of interreligious affairs of the American Jewish Committee, received an honorary doctorate of humane letters from St. Louis University.
Rabbi Tanenbaum serves as a member of the board of directors of St. Louis Divinity School. This is also believed to be the first time that a rabbi serves in this capacity on a Jesuit ecumenical seminary board.
CONGRESS CHANGES
TEL AVIV — Dr. Nahum Gold-mann, president of World Jewish Congress, said that WJC will hold an international convention next year and will consider possible structural changes in the organization.
Endonafiotts Granted
Talmud Torah Graduation
Evening............... June 21
Pioneer Women Adoption
Luncheon-___________:_. June 22
B'nai B'rith No. 668 Past
Presidents Dinner June 22 Jewish Nat. Fund & Coun.
Annual Meeting June 23 United Jewish Appeal
Meeting ____________..June24
Home for Aged Ladies Aux.
Closing Luncheon June 29 B'nai B'rith Family
Picnic -------July 18
Medical Aid to Israel
Brunch -.—-------..._Aug.29
Remember The Sabbath
Light Candles,
Friday, June 18, 9:01
Sedre, Shelach Lecha, Numbers
Friday, June 25, 9:02
All holidays b«gln the practdlng eve at sundown.
JEWISH CALENDAR (LUACH) 1971
Tisha B'Ab . „______       .:Aug. 1
Rosh Hashona ._...........Sept. 20
Yom Kippur-------..........Sept. 29
SttCCOt >:;.l..:.:L-:^_.:.-..:.:.:.:.OCt 4^^
Simchat Torah ..____v„Oct. 12
mmisu
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