VOL. XXXIV, No. 11, ADAR II—5, 5727
VANCOUVER, B.C., FRIDAY, MARCH 17, 1967
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Soviet Jews reported to face threats over Israel
WASHINGTON — The Washington Post here has reported that "terrible pressure accompanied by threats", is being exerted by Soviet secret police on Jewish leaders in the Soviet Union to write letters of protest and or ganizie public demonstrations against Israel.
The Post reports were based on information received in Washings ton from travellers. They reveal-
DB. SIDNEY KAPLAN ... chairs A division
DB. HABOLD KBIVEL
. . . Medical division
ed that officials of synagogues in Moscow, Tashkent and other cities were summoned one by one recently^to the office of a known Soviet secret police agent in the Government bureau i n Moscow handling religious affairs. Under threat of retaliation imless they co-operatedi they to organize letter-and protest
Bulletin News lesf
were urged writing campaigns demonstrations to take place this Saturday, March 18.
Soviet concern supposedly was aroused by a "Week of Soviet Jews" devoted to the cause of Soviet Jewry held in Israel at the end of Pebruary. This observance was one of a series of the life of Jews in other countries sponsored by World Jewish Congress.
''Some synagogue leaders are said to have refused to call protest meetings on Saturday because it is the Jewish Sabbath. It is thought that In consequence some of the forced de-monshrations take i»lace
■ in the
^WashiniSon Post said.
The "week" in Israel followed similar discussions of the situation of Jews in Britain, France and Latin America. No Israeli officials participated. The session on Soviet Jews had been postponed for six months because of pressure from the Soviet Government,
The Washington Post pointed out that the current Soviet efforts against Israel are apparently a sequel to the recent trial disclosed in February, of a Soviet Jew for alleged espionage on behalf of Israel. Israel has categorically denied that members of the Embassy committed any impropriety.
An Israel source told the Washington Post that the Soviet charges were "total fabrications and likened them to accusations against Soviet Jewish physicians in the "doctors plot" during the Stalin era.
The American Jewish Conference on Soviet Jewry, representing 25 major national Jewish organizations, has expressed its shock and chagrin" at the report published in the Washington Post that pressure accompanied by threats is being exerted on Jewish leaders in the Soviet Union to write letters of protest and organize public demonstrations against Israel.
"The Jewish citizens of the Soviet Union are being subjected to a pattern of harrassrhent, particularly in their relationships with their fellow Jews in Israel and the West," said Rabbi Israel Miller, chairman of the Conference.
"This is but the most recent in
a whole series of incidents which
seem_to be directed to arousing
the fears of Soviet Jews against
innocent and legitimate contact
with their co-religionists abroad."
ISRAEL
Swastika ban
JEBUSALEM — The Knesset approved a motion appealing to all nations to adopt laws banning public use of the swastika in any form. Hoisting of the symbol of Nazi Germany was declared "tantamount to public incitement to commit such crimes."
* « «
Birth rate
JERUSALEM—The natural increase of Israel's population in 1966 only totalled 56,000 souls, according to a report from official sources, which noted Arab birth rate is three times that of the Jews.
* * *
Siiazar coming
JERUSALEM—President Zal-man Shazar will officially visit Canada for a week to attend centenary celebrations of the Zionist Federation. He will arrive in Ottawa May 21, take part in Israel Day Festivities at Expo '67 and will visit Toronto and Quebec City.
* * *
Five-day week
JERUSALEM — The Knesset will soon vote on a bill providing br a five-day work week. The 3ill will be introduced by the Labor Ministry and was already approved by the Commission of Ministers for Economic Affairs.
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EARLY DEADMNEl This Sunday, March 19 at 4:30 p.in.
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at OAKRIDGE DRUGS
Near 41st Ave. on Oak St.
ASER HABOwrrz . Metropolitan division
AL MANN chairs general canvass
CEUUBMAN of the 1967 United Jewish Appeal Campaign, Sidney !Zack, has announced the following appointments to top U.J.A. tleaderiship posts: Dr. Sidney Kaplan will be chairman of the Cam-Ipalgn's A division; Aser Harowitz will chair the Metropolitan division; Dr. Harold Krivel has been named chairman of the Medical {division; Al Mann is chairman of the General Canvass division.
Mmis-fRAHa wim sm
PABIS — French-Jewish statesman and former Prime Minister Pierre Mendes-France, was elected again to the National Assembly last weekend, defeating his Gaulist opponent in the constituency of Grenoble. In political eclipse since 1958, it is believed Mendes-France will now be in a position to play an extremely prominent role in the next Chamber of Deputies.
BETH ISBAEL BELIGIOUS SCHOOL took top honors at the Beglonal Bible Contest held last SwaOay in Seattle, marking the first time any one city has swept the region. First in the individual contest was Frances Frankenburg, who will represent the entire region in New York finals in May. Se»o^^ place was annexed by Tannis Koffman. Winner ol the team trophy in the team competition paman of the Bible contest was also the team of Beth Israel Religious School students. They are seen here, holding the Regional Bible Contest trophy, left to right: Freddy Yehia, grade 7, son of Mr. and Mrs. Z. Yehia; Tannis Koffman, grade 8, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. S. Koffman; Frances Frankenburg, grade 8, i daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Frankenburg; Saundra Sherman, grade 7, daughter of Mr. and Mi& i'^rry* f^hennafi. ? in this annual Bible Contest, which is sponsored by United Symss^m
' lBLegi(tik!ki T^ixrtomm^^, were students and teame from the Conservative Congregations of Seattle*