Reflections of the Soviet Jewry Movement Herbert N. Beller1 March 25, 2009 Chevy Chase, Maryland

The following recollections of the Soviet Jewry Movement derive principally from my involvement with the Washington Committee for Soviet Jewry (“WCSJ”). I served for many years as a board member of that organization and as its Co- President in the early 1980s.

This paper does not purport to reflect a complete or detailed history of the WCSJ’s extensive activities during its 25+ years existence. Rather, it is intended more as an overview of the important role played by the WCSJ in the community, national and international efforts to free Soviet Jews.

* * *

My involvement in the Soviet Jewry Movement stemmed from an unforgettable trip in October of 1973 to the Soviet Union with my wife, Jane, her parents (Norman and Shirley Korff, of Winnetka, Illinois); her sister and brother-in-law (Carol and Ron Fragen, of Palm Springs, California); and some close Illinois friends of the Korffs.

The purpose of our journey was to visit Norman Korff’s first cousin, Olga Zakoshanskaya and her family, who lived in Moscow and descended from a brother of Norman’s father, Abram Korff (who left Russia for the U.S. in 1904). Norman had corresponded off and on with Olga over the years, but had never before met her or any of his other Russian relatives.

Plans for the trip were a long time in the making. Obtaining the necessary visas and Intourist clearances to travel to and within the Soviet Union (we visited Moscow, Leningrad and Kiev) was a very difficult process, as was making logistical arrangements with our non-English speaking relatives.

En route to Moscow, we spent Yom Kippur in Budapest, attending Kol Nidre services at the main Israelite synagogue. The inspiring sanctuary, one of the largest in Eastern Europe, was

1 Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. Northwestern University, BSBA (1964), J.D. (1967). Have lived in Washington area since 1967. Practicing tax attorney (Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP). Long-time member of Adas Israel Congregation, Washington, D.C.

Beller Memoir Jewish Historical Society of Greater Washington Page 1 Voices of the Vigil packed with what appeared to be thousands of worshippers of all ages. Through Kol Yisroel and word of mouth, most attending the services already knew about the outbreak of the Yom Kippur War. I confirmed this through a brief (and very rudimentary) German-Yiddish conversation with a gentleman sitting next to me. He also confirmed that the Rabbi, who was delivering his sermon in Hungarian from a balcony pedestal high above us, was undoubtedly aware too of the war -- but that he dared not say anything about that subject or otherwise talk about Israel.

Prior to Budapest we had spent two days in Vienna, where the Jewish situation was quite tense in light of problems arising at the nearby Schoenau rail transfer point for the relatively small number of Soviet Jews who were then obtaining exit visas. But instead of being transferred directly to Israel, the U.S. or other Western destinations, they were sent to a “holding community” in Rome where most had to remain for at least a year without any clear sense of whether, when or how they would eventually be able to reach their new countries. When my father-in-law and I attempted to visit the shul in Vienna’s old Jewish quarter, the Shommas shooed us away with words to the effect that it was a ‘dangerous time’ for Jews in Vienna.

The visit in Moscow with the relatives -- Olga, her husband, Mark Liberzon, their 21-year old son, Alexander Liberzon, and her brother, Natan (a doctor) -- was very special. The family gathered for dinner at Olga’s apartment, which was small (1 bedroom) but by then Soviet standards apparently quite spacious. Two narrow tables were linked end-to-end across the full length of the combined dining and living room. Olga produced endless quantities of food (including, as she called it, “Jewish Fish”), and several bottles (all partially filled and apparently well-aged) of vodka and other alcoholic beverages which of course generated numerous toasts.

The language barrier was eased somewhat by an English-speaking co-worker of Olga’s -- not our assigned Intourist guide, but possibly “under the auspices” of that ubiquitous organization. The discussion centered mainly on the materialistic aspects of how we lived in the U.S., e.g., how big were our houses? how many cars? etc. There was no conversation regarding Jewish life in the Soviet Union. Our distinct impression was that our relatives were reasonably content with their situations and not interested in facing the ostracism and blatant anti-Semitism that inevitably

Beller Memoir Jewish Historical Society of Greater Washington Page 2 Voices of the Vigil resulted for Jews who desired to openly practice Judaism or sought (and were in most instances refused) exit visas.

After dinner, Alexander (who, like his father and mother, worked in a State-owned factory as an “engineer”) entertained us on the violin and the guitar, the latter of which he obviously had only recently begun to play. (Post-script: By 1989, when Alexander came to the U.S. for our daughter Lindsay’s Bat Mitzvah and several weeks of other family visits, he had become a truly accomplished classical guitarist who played professionally throughout the Soviet Union and other countries.)

While Jane and I were generally cognizant of the Soviet Jewry “issue”, we had not received any formal organizational briefings or “Refusenik-visiting” assignments before leaving -- mainly because we did not want to do anything along those lines that might have adverse consequences for the Moscow relatives. However, once out of Moscow (where our suitcases were obviously searched nightly by hotel “staff”), we became bolder about seeking out Jewish-oriented experiences. In Kiev, we visited the Sukkah at a very old shul, finding there only a few old men who somehow had managed to cling to their Jewish traditions. We also paid an emotional visit to, and said Kaddish at, the monument commemorating the slaughter at Babi Yar. Our Intourist guide had feigned ignorance of that important historic site, but we eventually found a taxi driver who agreed to take us there.

The Jewish content of our trip escalated to a very personal level in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg), because our visit to that city happened to coincide with Simchat Torah – the one holiday when throngs of Soviet Jews, especially during the Refusenik era, blatantly snubbed their noses at rampant official anti-Semitism and took to the streets to openly and proudly celebrate their religious heritage.

We participated in such a gathering in front of the main Leningrad Synagogue. No doubt readily recognized as Americans, we were approached by many Soviet Jews who were hungry for information about Israel and the U.S.; wanted help in locating or contacting relatives and friends

Beller Memoir Jewish Historical Society of Greater Washington Page 3 Voices of the Vigil who already had managed to leave; and sought contacts with Jews from the free world who might be able to press their cases for receiving exit visas through political channels.

One of the persons especially persistent in his efforts to talk with us was a young man by the name of Vladimir Oliker, whose English was quite good. We learned that Vladimir and his wife, Yelena, both mathematicians, had an infant daughter (Olya) and had applied unsuccessfully for exit visas to the U.S. (where Vladimir’s brother was already living). Vladimir asked to walk with us back to our hotel. He said that he and other Refuseniks were often followed and harassed by KGB operatives, but that he was used to dealing with them and that we need not worry about being seen with him. Though not entirely convinced that this was a good idea, we took Vladimir to our room and began to exchange information about the situations of the Olikers and other Refuseniks whom they knew. Within a few minutes, however, there came a loud pounding on our door along with certainly unfriendly epithets shouted in Russian. Needless to say, this interruption was rather unnerving to us, but Vladimir showed no fear at all; rather, he simply shouted back at the KGB “gooks” (as he called them) and assured us that they would soon leave and that he would be able to safely depart after our “business” was completed. So we scribbled the vital information on scraps of paper that were kept successfully hidden for the remainder of the trip and promised Vladimir that we would do all we could from the U.S. to publicize their plight and otherwise try to put pressure on O.V.I.R. (the Soviet visa agency) to grant their exit visas.

The next morning my father-in-law and I returned to the Synagogue for Simchat Torah services. The sanctuary was somewhat crowded but by no means full, and those in attendance seemed older and much less “energetic” than the Soviet Jews we had encountered the night before. Nonetheless, a few did try to engage us in conversation and we were introduced to the President of the congregation, a lawyer who we later learned was a government stoolie tasked with telling visiting Westerners that Soviet Jews were in fact well respected and well treated, and also with supplying information (usually mis-information) to the KGB regarding Jewish dissidents.

Before returning to the States, we had a brief farewell visit with our Moscow relatives -- including, for them, a much coveted shopping trip to the local Beriyoska store, where hard to get

Beller Memoir Jewish Historical Society of Greater Washington Page 4 Voices of the Vigil clothes and other consumer goods could be purchased for U.S. dollars.2 My own parting gift from Mother Russia was a severe case of Giardia, an intestinal parasite that had invaded the Leningrad water supply and the GI systems of many foreign visitors during the 70’s. (The same bug had visited Aspen a decade earlier, but the Soviet Ministry of Health of course denied its existence in Leningrad.) The ill-effects were felt by me for many months and included a weight loss of 35 pounds!

Back home in Washington, Jane and I were eager to begin our efforts on behalf of the Olikers and to otherwise become active in the Soviet Jewry Movement. Soon after our return, we were invited to give a talk about our trip to a suburban Maryland investment club group, which included Irene and Sid Manekofsky. Irene was the then President of the Washington Committee for Soviet Jewry (“WCSJ”), a local grass-roots group that had been formed in the late ‘60’s by Moshe Brodetzky, Haim Solomon and several other Jewish activists. Irene’s deep knowledge of the Soviet Jewry situation, and her boundless energy and passion for helping Refuseniks and other Soviet Jews in any way possible, was truly inspiring. Shortly after her all too early passing in 1992, her “enormous contribution to the cause of freedom for Soviet Jews” was recognized on the floor of the House of Representatives by Rep. Dante Fascell.

It was Mrs. Manekofsky’s steadfast devotion to the plight of Soviet Jews that helped heighten public awareness and congressional action on this issue. Irene’s untiring devotion to the cause of freedom for the beleaguered Jewish minority in the former U.S.S.R. helped to educate and energize Congress. Her efforts helped secure passage of the Jackson-Vanik amendment and the creation of the Helsinki Commission, of which I had the privilege to serve as chairman from its inception in 1976 until 1985.

Over the years, we developed a close personal relationship with the Manekofskys and had the privilege of working with them and many other dedicated WCSJ stalwarts, including (among others): Ruth Newman (the organization’s 24/7 Executive Director, now living in Israel); Shonny Kugler (a local real estate broker with endless contacts and superb organizational skills); Jeanette

2 Visitor gifts of Levis or other Western-style jeans were also much coveted by Soviet Jews, who would sell them on the black market for much needed cash.

Beller Memoir Jewish Historical Society of Greater Washington Page 5 Voices of the Vigil and Julie Okin (early volunteers and long-time board members); John Hornstein/Jack Minker/Jack Serber/Jacob and Elsie Trombka (provided important links to the scientific and academic communities and other local Jewish organizations); Peter Miller (an early board member and professional writer who helped with the drafting of WCSJ publications and communications); Avy Ashery (a very talented graphic artist who designed the WCSJ logo and numerous eye-catching Save Soviet Jewry posters that were displayed at synagogues, rallies and other venues throughout the country); Walter Golman (a long-time board member who was active in Israel-related and other Jewish causes and was especially helpful on sensitive strategic issues); Ernie Shalowitz (a Washington native and lawyer who was active locally in a variety of Jewish causes and served as WCSJ President after Irene during the late 70’s); Irv Losman (owner of Tiara Gifts in Montgomery County, with whom I served as Co-President of WCSJ during the early 80’s); and Joan Dodek (who served as WCSJ President, with Irene-like skill and intensity, during most of the critical 1980’s and into the 90’s). Joan’s husband, Ozzie Dodek, was also very active in the WCSJ; and they brought several friends from Washington Hebrew Congregation into the fold, including future officers and board members Donna Stoller, Allison Adler, Lee Schwartz and Carolyn Sanger (who served as the last WCSJ President during the mid-90’s).3

As stated in the initial bylaws of the WCSJ, the organization’s purpose was “through legal and non-violent means:

(1) to aid in efforts to make possible the repatriation of those Jews of the USSR who wish to be repatriated to Israel; (2) to aid in efforts to make possible the emigration of those Soviet Jews who want to emigrate to other countries; (3) to help bring public opinion to bear on the USSR to provide those Jews who chose to remain in the USSR the cultural and religious rights guaranteed all nationalities by the Soviet constitution; and (4) to call this struggle to the sympathetic attention of the people and government of the United States.”

The WCSJ’s mission was really two-fold: first, to educate the public about the dismal situation generally for Jews in the Soviet Union; and second (and more importantly), to continuously

3 By this time, the focus of Soviet Jewry activity had shifted mainly to providing resettlement assistance to the large numbers of Soviet Jews who were being allowed to emigrate. The decision to end the WCSJ’s existence was based on the feeling that its human rights objectives had been essentially accomplished and that other organizations in the community (e.g., the Jewish Social Service Agency) were better equipped to handle resettlement efforts on a full- time basis.

Beller Memoir Jewish Historical Society of Greater Washington Page 6 Voices of the Vigil monitor the situations of known Refuseniks and falsely jailed “Prisoners of Conscience”, communicating with them and/or their families as frequently as possible via letters, phone calls and, whenever feasible, personal visits from an increasing number of American Jews who were beginning to travel as tourists to Russia. This information was passed on to members of Congress and other government officials, many of whom regularly communicated directly with their Soviet counterparts about specific cases. Having their cases publicized in the West was viewed as a critical lifeline by Refuseniks and Prisoners of Conscience; for although such publicity rarely resulted in the prompt issuance of exit visas or release from prison, it did put the Soviet government on notice that the world was watching closely and was greatly offended by what was going on. The main focus of the WCSJ was to make sure that this spotlight kept shining as brightly as possible.

Many American Jews believed that our efforts on behalf of Soviet Jewry should be directed only to those Soviet Jews who wanted to emigrate to Israel. Although some of the WCSJ activists certainly hoped that that would be the case, the organization viewed the issue from a broader human rights perspective and worked with no less enthusiasm or intensity on behalf of Refuseniks who sought to go to the U.S. or other destinations.

Working on behalf of Refuseniks whom we had actually met was an especially compelling experience. After two years of letter-writing campaigns and visits with members of Congress and their staffs, Vladimir Oliker was granted an exit visa,4 but Yelena and Olya were not. This cruel OVIR trick of splitting up families was not uncommon. Most Refusenik families given that choice were unwilling to face the risk that loved ones left behind might never be allowed to leave. The Olikers bravely believed, however, that their separation would prove to be only temporary -- so in 1975 Vladimir came alone to the U.S. and, fortunately, about a year later his wife and daughter were allowed to join him. During the “waiting period,” the public pressure urging their release continued; and the fact that OVIR had not allowed the entire family to

4 Among those very helpful in pressing the Olikers’ case were Representative Ben Gilman of New York, Representative Henry Waxman of California, Senator Mac Matthias of Maryland, Marc Ginsberg (a staffer for Senator Kennedy who later became the U.S. Ambassador to Morocco), Senator Henry “Scoop” Jackson of Washington State and Mark Talisman (chief legislative aide to Representative Charles Vanik of Ohio). Talisman was instrumental in conceiving and drafting the Jackson-Vanik Amendment, which linked normal trade relations with non-market economies to favorable emigration policies and ultimately provided great leverage for securing freedom for hundreds of thousands of Soviet Jews.

Beller Memoir Jewish Historical Society of Greater Washington Page 7 Voices of the Vigil emigrate together made the story more compelling. Vladimir visited with us in Washington soon after his arrival. The joy of seeing him on “free” soil was of course greatly tempered by his and our anxiety regarding OVIR’s plans for Yelena and Olya. We received a letter from Yelena around Thanksgiving time of 1975 describing their difficult circumstances and how much then 5- year-old Olya missed her father: “She misses Vladimir badly, speaks about him alot. She got used to think up different means to join him with help of the characters of fairy tales. And I have to discuss this or that way taking everything quite seriously. I do. She trusts me. This was about us.”

Several months later, Olya’s wish came true. In a post card from Rome, dated May 22, 1976, the Olikers wrote: “At last all of us are together and we celebrated today Olia’s birthday. She is 6. To-day we are thinking of you and of all our other friends who helped us so much.”

Like many other Soviet Jews who emigrated, Vladimir and Yelena were highly educated individuals with impressive academic and professional credentials.5 But the ability of such persons to effectively transport these credentials to Israel, the U.S. or other countries was by no means automatic -- due not only to language barriers but, especially in the case of doctors and lawyers, professional licensing requirements that often did not recognize Soviet degrees or certifications. Fortunately, this did not prove to be a problem for the Olikers. Already well known and highly regarded in international mathematics circles,6 Vladimir obtained a professorship at the University of Iowa and then moved to Emory University in Atlanta, where he has taught and done research for many years. Yelena founded and still heads a successful consulting company. Olya earned her undergraduate degree from Emory and a graduate degree from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. She now is a Senior International Policy Analyst with the Rand Corporation.

5 The Soviet government openly justified its restrictive Jewish emigration policies as necessary to avoid the adverse effects of a “brain drain” from the country. Yet Jews who sought to leave were often fired from their jobs and denied entry to or teaching positions in universities, i.e., the Soviets deliberately refused to reap the benefits of the “brain power” they feared losing. 6 Vladimir relayed to me a story about his attending a higher mathematics conference in Helsinski after he had emigrated. Several of his former Soviet colleagues who also were at the conference refused to acknowledge or communicate with him -- at least in some instances, he believed, because of feared political repercussions.

Beller Memoir Jewish Historical Society of Greater Washington Page 8 Voices of the Vigil The successful ending for the Olikers came relatively quickly compared to much longer waits endured by other Soviet Jews seeking to leave, many of whom were denied exit visas for years on end. The WCSJ devoted much time and energy to these “special cases” (e.g., Vladimir Slepak; Alexander Lerner; the Goldshtein brothers from Tblisi). A common basis for denial was “access to State secrets,” asserted not only in a small number of cases involving top-tier scientists or others who conceivably might have had such access, but more typically for individuals who held lower or mid-level jobs that clearly entailed no element of secrecy or national security risk. In pressing these cases, the WCSJ frequently obtained and publicized detailed information regarding the Refusenik’s job description and employment circumstances in order to refute the “access to State secrets” excuse.7

The size and momentum of the Soviet Jewry Movement began to grow rapidly in the mid-70’s, spurred especially by the passage of the Jackson-Vanik amendment in 1974 and the 1977 arrest and imprisonment (until 1986) of Anatoly (Natan) Sharansky. As a result, the issue moved to the front burner on the social action and human rights agendas of synagogues and Jewish organizations throughout the country. The WCSJ and various other local grass roots organizations, already energized and very active for several years, were affiliated with an umbrella organization known as the Union of Councils for Soviet Jews (UCSJ).8 Each of the UCSJ groups had leaders who, like Irene Manekofsky, were truly “hard core” and very effective, using every means possible to learn about, directly interact with, and plead the cases of Soviet Jews who sought exit visas or wanted simply to live in their homeland free from religious persecution.9 A number of these folks devoted virtually all of their waking hours to the cause of Soviet Jewry; and they were constantly in touch with one another, sharing every morsel of information that surfaced regarding specific cases.

7 Other trumped-up offenses asserted against Jews seeking exit visas included “parasitism” (living off the public dole after deliberate firing from job) and “hooliganism” (charged for even the slightest and most peaceable human rights activity). 8 Another early activist group was the Student Struggle for Soviet Jewry (SSSJ), based in New York and led by Glenn Richter. 9 Irene served as WCSJ President in 1979-80. Joan Dodek was also an officer, and she and I served as UCSJ board members: Some of the UCSJ stalwarts from other cities included Lynn Singer (Long Island), Pamela Cohen (Chicago), Lilian Hoffman (Denver), Joel and Adele Sandberg (Miami) and Morey Schapira (San Francisco). Michael Sherbourne and others in the U.K. were of a similar ilk and interfaced regularly with their UCSJ counterparts. The organization, now known as the Union of Councils for Soviet Jews of the Former Soviet Union, continues to exist, focusing its efforts on assisting Jews who are subjected to the continuing blight of anti-Semitism in Russia. Micah Naftalin has served as the Washington Director of UCSJ since the mid-80’s.

Beller Memoir Jewish Historical Society of Greater Washington Page 9 Voices of the Vigil

Major mainstream Jewish organizations (e.g., Federation, American Jewish Congress, American Jewish Committee, etc.) tended to look to the National Conference of Soviet Jewry -- headed for many years by Jerry Goodman and other staff professionals -- for information and direction regarding the Soviet Jewry issue and related activities. In Washington, the Jewish Community Council (“JCC”) formed a Soviet Jewry Committee that was very ably staffed by JCC and Federation professionals Samuel “Buddy” Sislen and Judy Fein-Helfman. Key volunteer members of the Committee included Norman Goldstein, Bert Silver (who chaired the JCC and also was active with the WCSJ) and Marcia Weinberg (who ultimately chaired the JCC Soviet Jewry Committee and whose late husband Joe was a rabbi at Washington Hebrew Congregation).

Unfortunately, there was little coordination between the WCSJ and the Soviet Jewry Committee, and more than enough back-biting and turf battles (which also surfaced at the national level from time to time between the UCSJ and the National Conference). This was always quite troubling to me because, despite differences in approach, both groups unquestionably shared common goals and had much to contribute.

One project that we did collaborate on was very successful. Buddy Sislen, Norm Goldstein and I formed the so-called “Insiders Club,” recruiting local residents who had visited the Soviet Union and were interested in sharing their knowledge with new visitors about what to expect and how to meet and safely interact with Refuseniks and other Soviet Jews. To facilitate this effort, we wrote and circulated a useful guide regarding such matters. Both organizations conducted briefings for departing and returning visitors. The WCSJ was especially pro-active on this front, organizing and financially supporting trips devoted specifically to visiting Refuseniks and otherwise interacting directly with Russian Jews. The personal bonds and relationships forged during these visits were a major catalyst to building momentum and continuing dedication to the Movement on the part of American Jewry.

Largely because of its “establishment” linkage and the organizational skills of its professional staff, the JCRC’s Soviet Jewry Committee was very good at organizing and promoting community-wide Soviet Jewry programs and activities (e.g., massive “Save Soviet Jewry”

Beller Memoir Jewish Historical Society of Greater Washington Page 10 Voices of the Vigil marches and demonstrations at the Capitol and on the Mall) -- activities which the WCSJ supported and promoted as well.

The Daily Vigil on 16th Street across from the Russian Embassy was perhaps the best known and certainly longest running (over 20 years) community activity. In the early 70’s the JCRC undertook responsibility for coordinating participation through a calendar that assigned to one or more local Jewish organizations or groups (e.g., synagogues, day schools, Hadassah, B’nai Brith, Men’s clubs/Sisterhoods, etc.)10 the job of supplying bodies to attend the Vigil on designated days. Rarely a day went by when the attendance was less than 10-20 persons, and it often mushroomed well beyond that level.

On most days, attendees simply stood quietly for 15 minutes, staring (or glaring) at the foreboding iron-gated building across the street -- the visibility of which was often largely blocked by deliberately double parked buses or other large vehicles. (The Soviets were surely irritated and perhaps even embarrassed by this perpetual public reminder of their dismal human rights record.) It was not uncommon, however, for other activities to occur in conjunction with the Vigil -- including prayer services led by local rabbis; the commemoration of special occasions such as the birthdays of Anatoly Sharansky and Andrei Sakarov; participation and remarks by non-Jewish clergy who actively supported the Soviet Jewry Movement (most notably, Rev. John Steinbruck of the Luther Place Memorial Church, just down the street at Thomas Circle; and Father Robert Drinan, who as a Congressman and Georgetown law professor was very helpful to the WCSJ and other groups in their efforts to involve members of Congress on specific cases). Leaflets and other informational materials were regularly handed out to passers-by both at the Vigil site and directly in front of the Embassy. Those who attempted more vigorous “protest” activity risked possible arrest under a D.C. law that prohibited protests within 500 feet of an embassy. The 500 foot rule was eventually declared unconstitutional in a court case, but not before numerous rabbis and others were in fact arrested in connection with Vigil- related activities. News coverage of special events at the Vigil was usually limited to The Jewish Week, but stories and photos occasionally appeared as well in The Washington Post.

10 The WCSJ was among the regularly assigned groups. When the UCSJ and other national Jewish organizations held conferences or board meetings in Washington, the agenda typically included a visit to the Vigil.

Beller Memoir Jewish Historical Society of Greater Washington Page 11 Voices of the Vigil

The action-oriented educational projects and activities of the WCSJ included, among others, creating and disseminating Soviet Jewry-related publications (e.g., the popular Natasha’s Dream for children, first published by WCSJ in 1976); providing speakers to local organizations; sending Passover and other holiday post cards to Refusenik families; sending books and other publications with Jewish content to Russia through the “Right to Identify” project; sponsoring Soviet Jewry workshops for synagogue groups; circulating a newsletter called The Vigil, (prepared by Ruth Newman and featuring news of current WCSJ activities and significant developments in the Soviet Jewry Movement); and establishing the “Congressional Call to Conscience” (through which the plights of individual Refuseniks and Prisoners of Conscience were recognized on the floor of the Congress and detailed in the Congressional Record).

The Bar/Bat Mitzvah “Twinning” Project, also spawned by WCSJ, was especially successful, involving most Washington area synagogues and replicated throughout the country. As part of their bar/bat mitzvah preparation, boys and girls (our daughter Lindsay, among them) symbolically shared their special day with Soviet Refusenik children of like age. This was a very meaningful way to sensitize Jewish youngsters -- and all who attended their bar/bat mitzvahs -- to the plight of Soviet Jews. They corresponded with their Soviet “twins,” spoke about them on the bimah, lit candles for them at the post-parties and, in some instances, eventually were able to meet and form lasting friendships with them after they emigrated.

The WCSJ also served as an important and well-respected resource for members of Congress11 and staffers who were personally committed to the cause of Soviet Jews, often collaborating on Capitol Hill receptions and other gatherings in honor of prominent figures in the Movement. Especially memorable was a 1979 Senate reception for Avital Sharansky and her brother, Mischa Stieglitz, who had emigrated to Israel and worked tirelessly for his brother-in- law’s release. 12

11 Several D.C.-area members of Congress were active supporters of the WCSJ, including: Senators Paul Sarbanes and Barbara Mikulski, and Congressmen Mike Barnes, Connie Morella, Steny Hoyer, Frank Wolf and Robert Drinan. 12 During Mischa’s visit to Washington, he and I met with Justice Arthur Goldberg at his Virginia farm to discuss the Sharansky case. Deeply committed to the Soviet Jewry cause (his own ancestors came from a Ukrainian shtetl), Justice Goldberg had been appointed in 1978 as U.S. Ambassador to the Belgrade Conference on Human Rights. In 1980, while on a UJA Professionals Mission to Israel, I arranged for Mischa to meet with our group one evening at

Beller Memoir Jewish Historical Society of Greater Washington Page 12 Voices of the Vigil Another honored Dina Kaminskaya, a noted Soviet criminal defense lawyer who boldly represented Soviet dissidents and who, along with her husband, Konstantin Simis, also a lawyer, was forced to leave the Soviet Union after seeking to represent Sharansky. Their son, Dimitri Simes, a brilliant international scholar and Sovietologist emigrated to the U.S. in 1973. He had a very close relationship with Irene Manekofsky, and was an invaluable adviser to the WCSJ and an active participant in several of its projects and initiatives.

Another important WCSJ activity was making phone calls to Refuseniks. This was not an easy task given the time difference, the language barrier and the fact that most Refuseniks did not have phones and had to arrange to receive calls at public phones in post offices or other government buildings. An early WCSJ officer and board member, Mort Yadin, spoke fluent Russian and gave generously of his time in assisting with person-to-person efforts on behalf of Refuseniks. He worked closely with Ruth Newman on the logistics of placing these calls at all hours, usually from Ruth’s kitchen on Belgrade Avenue in Silver Spring.

Finding the financial resources to fund its varied activities was always a challenge for the WCSJ -- especially since, unlike the JCC Soviet Jewry Committee and some of the UCSJ organizations, it was never granted an allocation of Federation contributions. Throughout its existence, the organization was fortunate to enjoy free office space -- initially at Adas Israel Congregation; thereafter at Ohr Kodesh Congregation and a Silver Spring apartment building on Blair Mill Road (courtesy of owner/developer Albert Abramson); and at all times augmented by the satellite office in Ruth Newman’s kitchen. 13. Annual fundraising letters typically raised several thousand dollars in the form of member dues and normally modest donations from a core group of Washington area supporters.14 Additional amounts were raised by sales of publications (e.g.,. Natasha’s Dream); “Prisoner of Conscience” bracelets (metallic wristbands which bore the names of Sharansky and other imprisoned Jewish dissidents); Soviet Jewry posters bearing Avy Ashery’s handiwork; and similar items.

the King David Hotel. For many in the group, this was the first serious exposure they had had to the Soviet Jewry issue. 13 Ruth’s full-time service as the WCSJ’s Executive Director spanned almost 20 years, many without compensation. After several years, she was finally persuaded to draw a very modest salary from the organization. 14 The WCSJ was a tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Beller Memoir Jewish Historical Society of Greater Washington Page 13 Voices of the Vigil Occasional special fundraising events usually generated larger returns. Probably the most successful was a WCSJ-sponsored dinner (organized by Shonny Kugler) honoring popular local sportscaster Warner Wolf, a generous supporter of WCSJ who had recently moved to a major network post in New York. This event drew a very sizable crowd from across the community and, as I recall, raised a substantial five-figure amount. Other successful fundraising events included a book-signing lecture by British historian and Soviet Jewry expert Martin Gilbert, and a number of receptions featuring sales of art items specially created by local artists Philip Ratner and Shirley Waxman.

* * *

The Washington community played a major role in the Soviet Jewry Movement. The WCSJ, the JCC Soviet Jewry Committee and numerous other organizations and individuals all were part of this historic saga; and the tireless efforts and leadership of persons like Irene Manekofsky, Ruth Newman, Joan Dodek and Buddy Sislen were especially critical to the remarkable results that ultimately were achieved.

Beller Memoir Jewish Historical Society of Greater Washington Page 14 Voices of the Vigil