Quiet Diplomacy THE REBBE’S BATTLE TO SAVE RUSSIAN JEWRY
SIVAN 5778 44 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER לזכות הרה״ת ר׳ ישראל מנחם וזוגתו מרת חי׳ אסתר טובא ומשפחתם שיחיו ריטשלער
Quiet Diplomacy THE REBBE’S BATTLE TO SAVE RUSSIAN JEWRY
SIVAN 5778 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER 45 Penetrating the persecuted, until it went almost for a handful of Yidden who Impenetrable completely silent. What became managed to escape in a special For many generations, known as the “Iron Curtain” operation shortly after the war, the Jewish community in was sealed shut, and it became leaving the country proved to be Russia was one of the biggest a crime even to try to leave impossible. throughout the world. As the the clutches of the oppressive A world away in Crown Rebbe pointed out, that area was regime. Heights, the Rebbe never Throughout all those years, ceased to act, speak, and cry רוב מנין ורוב“ actually home to the majority of the Jewish Lubavitcher Chassidim held on behalf of Russian Jewry. At—”בנין community both in numbers, a clandestine network of almost every major farbrengen, as well as when measuring by underground Jewish activity, the Rebbe would say a special importance. After all, it was guided and encouraged “l’chaim” for them, blessing them there that the Baal Shem Tov was (sometimes in the most that very soon they’ll merit a born and began the revelation of miraculous of ways) by the complete geula from their bitter Chassidus. Rebbe in New York. predicament. But for most of the twentieth For decades, leaving the Finally, at the end of the century, the immense Jewish Soviet Union for most Jews was 5710s, small amounts of Yidden population was tormented and an unattainable fantasy. Aside were able to trickle out and 10 SHEVAT 5735, JEM 102927 5735, 10 SHEVAT
SIVAN 5778 46 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER penetrate the curtain to freedom. of those who tried obtaining In a letter written to the visas lost their jobs, were administration of Tzach in Eretz interrogated and sent to prison. Yisroel in 5716 (Igros Kodesh It was during this period that vol. 12, p. 154), the Rebbe urges demonstrations for the Jews of them to use the opportunity and Russia became the most popular do all they can to help Yidden Jewish cause worldwide, with get out of Russia. (“Remember huge events taking place in what the Torah says about a ger,” Washington, Tel Aviv and other the Rebbe writes candidly, “and capitals throughout the world. the reason why we need to be One might think that this was a positive development: Jewish —כי גרים הייתם :sensitive to him you yourselves were strangers people were finally expressing in Mitzrayim. The analogy is solidarity with their brothers obvious…” I.e. the Rebbe was in exile and pushing for them telling the Chassidim in Kfar to be released. In fact, most of Chabad, most of whom were the Jewish establishment was themselves immigrants from on board with the movement. Russia, to remember what it felt “Let my people go!” they like being trapped behind the proclaimed, as they sought to A SOVET VISA. Iron Curtain.) isolate the Soviet government Yidden to receive their needs for At the same time, the until they would open the doors Pesach, the Rebbe emphasized Rebbe warned that all efforts to immigration. that he was only asking them in persuading the Russian The Rebbe was the single to delay the demonstrations government to allow people to voice against these protests. temporarily, with the leave should be done in a calm As he would later articulate at expectation that the Russians and civilized manner. (Igros length at various farbrengens, would reciprocate. If no further Kodesh vol. 12, p. 312). the Rebbe said that public demonstrations were held, the Then as the 5720s progressed, pressure was only serving to Rebbe said, he had information the situation seemed to be antagonize the Russians and that 5000 Jews would be freed easing. In 5726, some families causing them to harden their that year (a bold statement were able to leave. (See Igros stance. Furthermore, it was when immigration from Russia Kodesh vol. 24, p. 49, “Now is endangering the lives of millions at the time numbered in the an opportune time to receive a of Russian Jews, who were hundreds). If this doesn’t work, permit to leave…”) hostages of the Communist the Rebbe added, you can always Then came the Six-Day War. regime. Shortly after the first continue the demonstrations • major demonstration was held after Shavuos. The Rebbe The victory of the Six-Day in New York in 5729, the Rebbe completed his words by saying, War in 5727 raised Jewish pride summoned Mr. Yoram Dinstein, “This is my request from the throughout the Soviet Union. a member of the Israeli consulate Israeli government.” Many began to openly identify and Mossad, along with Mr. Zvi Mr. Dinstein wrote up a themselves as Jews, and there Kaspi, to a yechidus.1 detailed memo of the yechidus was a surge in the amount of The Rebbe told them that, and sent it to his superior, who people trying to emigrate to in his opinion, any further in turn brought it up to Prime Eretz Yisroel. But the difficulties demonstrations should be held Minister Levi Eshkol. After two of living in Russia grew in off for the time being. Noting weeks, Mr. Dinstein returned tandem: following the Arab that Pesach was coming around to the Rebbe—together with a nations’ defeat, Soviet Russia cut the corner and that the channels higher-up in the Mossad, Mr. ties with Eretz Yisroel and many needed to remain open for the Nechemia Levanon—to relay
SIVAN 5778 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER 47 seventeen refuseniks hatched a plan to hijack a plane out of the Soviet Union. They were caught by the KGB as soon as they arrived at the airport, and two of them were subsequently sentenced to death. Following demonstrations in Jewish communities around the world, their death sentences were commuted to hard labor. In addition to galvanizing the Jewish community to demonstrate, this episode proved (according to them) that the pressure was effective. As DEMONSTRATIONS AGAINST THE SOVIET UNION IN ISRAEL. the demonstrations continued throughout the following years, that the Israeli government had press-releases and in at least one more and more Jews were freed decided to continue with the Shabbos farbrengen in 5730, but from the Soviet Union and the demonstrations, against the it remained relatively muted. refuseniks asked the Jews in the Rebbe’s advice. Finally, at the farbrengen of Yud diaspora to raise awareness for In their recollection of Shevat 5731, the Rebbe came out their plight, not to allow their the yechidus, the two officials against it publicly, in two long suffering to pass in silence. noted that the Rebbe was very sichos that were heard around disappointed, as he again laid the world. The Effectiveness of out the reasoning against the The Rebbe’s opinion on this Demonstrations demonstrations. The discussion matter went against the Israeli In this farbrengen,2 the turned heated at times but ended government and the entire Rebbe spoke with great anguish with the diplomats promising Jewish establishment. about the situation of the Jews to pass the information to their in Russia, and dissected the superiors. The False Narrative narrative of the protestors piece Prime Minister Eshkol died In order to appreciate by piece, showing their fallacies of a heart attack just ten days the Rebbe’s stance, one must on both a factual and a logical later. Mr. Dinstein says that first understand how others level. had he survived and heard portrayed the issue, with many The only actual effect the the Rebbe’s position again, the still erroneously seeing it this demonstrations were having, the government’s approach may way today. In their view, at Rebbe said, was that hundreds of have changed. But when Golda one point in the late 5720s, the people who had been promised Meir took over the government, Jewish world began to wake up exit-visas were now stuck in he says, it seems that the Rebbe to the plight of Russian Jewry, Russia. “People ask, how do realized that she wouldn’t be and more and more people I know that my approach is open to outside opinions, and he started demonstrating on behalf then correct one?” the Rebbe stopped pursuing this avenue. of their brethren. As the pressure said. “I will relate the story as The Rebbe would ratcheted up, the Russian it occurred—although it puts continue fighting the public government began allowing Jews Yidden in a negative light, I demonstrations on various to emigrate. no longer have a choice in the fronts for almost two years: in These efforts were given a matter. This was at the beginning yechidus’n with activists, letters, boost when, in 5730, a group of
SIVAN 5778 48 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER of my work, in private, to stop the public demonstrations.” The Rebbe went on to speak publicly about his yechidus with the Israelis two years earlier (not mentioning any individuals by name), while explaining the background of the story. At the time, certain people in Eretz Yisroel were having daily telephone conversations with the Russian Jews, coordinating with them to arrange exit- visas. Matters had progressed to the extent that the Russian government had promised to give them exit-visas, and had even said that this would continue with more families it into consideration: [they it must be emphasized that, in the future. “When I found felt that] my information was contrary to public opinion out about this,” the Rebbe said, probably not correct, and the at the time, it wasn’t Jewish “I knew that those who were demonstrations would take place organizations behind these arranging the demonstrations on Erev Pesach. efforts. As they themselves later certainly had the same facts, “What was the result? Those said publicly, the driving force possibly even before I did, for hundred families are stuck in was the Netiv, a branch of the this was common knowledge. Russia until this very day. But Mossad dedicated to matters of It wasn’t in the newspapers, but [the difference is that] before the Soviet Union, that operated anyone who had any interest this incident they lived peaceful in secrecy. Ironically, these were in the matter knew about it. I lives; now that they were under people who the Rebbe knew on had an opportunity to speak suspicion of having a connection a personal basis, and who had to two of their representatives, to the demonstrations—some assisted Lubavitch’s underground and I pleaded with them: Don’t of them lost their jobs and network for over a decade, adopt my approach! But instead some were stuck far from their including smuggling the Rebbe’s of making your demonstration homes.” sichos and maamarim into before Pesach—I plead with The Rebbe went on to say Russia. This is why the Rebbe you to push it off until Erev that, over the years, as a direct had summoned these Israeli Shavuos.” result of the demonstrations, officials to stop the protests—yet If the Russians would hear hundreds of Jews had been it was to no avail. killed, sent to Siberia (which is that a demonstration was in The Logical Fallacy the making, they were liable to essentially a death sentence), The Rebbe explained that the cancel the visas. On the other or lost their jobs (which was notion of convincing the Russians hand, the Rebbe emphasized to also a life or death issue in the officials, even if his argument Soviet Russia). And it wasn’t turned out to be wrong, the as if the people arranging the What was the result? demonstration could always demonstrations were unaware Those hundred happen before Shavuos. “The of the issue—they knew exactly matter was discussed,” the Rebbe what had happened! families are stuck in said, “and then I received the Though the Rebbe didn’t Russia until this very answer that they wouldn’t take speak explicitly on this point, day.
SIVAN 5778 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER 49 He should have told Haman: You owe me to Eretz Yisroel. After the that Haman is his slave and a demonstrations ceased however, lowly barber. He should have hundreds of franks, he resumed supplying small told Haman: You owe me you thief! He should arms to Eretz Yisroel, and was hundreds of franks, you thief! have given him the later instrumental in—quietly— He should have given him the helping 300 Yidden escape blow he rightfully deserved! By blow he rightfully Egypt. the same token, he should have deserved! A similar error had been screamed at Achashveirosh and made a year earlier, shortly told him that he was a fool! instead of publically putting after Pompidou had become Yet, for some reason them against a wall, isn’t some president, by the famous Israeli Mordechai—who was a seasoned novel idea in foreign policy. operation, the Cherbourg Project. politician, as is evidenced by the The Rebbe referred to recent When the arms embargo fact that he was the viceroy— events with President Pompidou had commenced in 5727, the never even considered doing of France that clearly showed French had been in the midst such a thing! that when a public outcry was of building several ships for the The logic is simple: You orchestrated against him, it only Israeli navy, and they continued cannot rail against a person resulted in a negative outcome doing so. Realizing that the that he is a thief—‘You owe me for the Yidden, not a better one. political situation was getting money and I know you won’t pay The Rebbe didn’t elaborate worse, Israel secretly stole ships me back!”—and then proceed much on the story, but this is from under France’s nose, in to ask him to pay you back. You what happened: In the early an operation that was hailed have to convince him not to be years after Israel declared in Israel. The Rebbe said that it a thief, and hopefully he will independence, the French were was a grave mistake to imagine change his ways. If he claims its only allies, providing critical that the upper echelons of the not be a robber, take him by his arms and so on. During the Six- French government had been word (even if he’s just saying it) Day War, however, the French unaware of the operation: They and encourage him. By the same president at the time switched had been fully aware of it, and token, you cannot label someone sides, imposing an arms they had allowed it. They would as an anti-semite and then embargo on the Middle East have continued allowing such expect him to help you. which mostly affected Israel. “mistakes” if the story had The Rebbe pointed out the The next president to take office, been kept under the radar. But irony involved: One would Georges Pompidou, continued because Israel had publicized imagine that the Jews would the arms embargo, though he the operation, celebrating their be convincing the Russians not quietly supplied small arms to ingenuity, any such further to be anti-semites, and that Israel. Then, in 5730, he sold 110 “mistakes” were prevented. the Russians would be saying airplanes to Libya, while refusing Bringing an example from the that they are anti-semitic. The to sell them to Eretz Yisroel. Megillah, the Rebbe explained: situation is exactly the opposite: During a visit to America, he When the Yidden faced a death The Russians are going about and his wife were picketed and sentence at the hands of the saying that they are a single, spat upon, and he nearly cut his Haman and Achashveirosh, unified country without trip to America short over the Mordechai’s response was discrimination, and the Jews are protests. to arrange public fasts and coming and telling them that The Rebbe pointed out intercede through Queen they are anti-semites! They’re that these protests had been a Esther. Using the logic of the saying they aren’t robbers—so strategic mistake. By labeling demonstrators, he should have people make demonstrations him as anti-Israel, the Jewish taken another route: Instead and say that they are robbers. community had caused him to of davening, he should have They scream that they will let stop selling even small arms shouted and informed everyone certain families out—so people
SIVAN 5778 50 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER go out to the streets to say that demonstrations was ruining the had actually committed crimes, they are liars, and that no-one Jewish people’s connections in Moscow had no choice but to will come out. This is against the White House and in France. commute the sentences of the common sense! two refuseniks who had only The fact is, the Rebbe said, The Hijackers tried hijacking. that in areas where there weren’t But weren’t the The Rebbe said: “One of any hidden agendas, the Israeli demonstrations helping? Weren’t the leaders was by me [in leaders themselves had taken the thousands more people coming yechidus], and I asked him, approach of quiet diplomacy: out than before? ‘How can you allow such a • When President The Rebbe said that this thing to be published? You Pompidou helped was a factual error: The change yourself know the real reason Yidden get out of Egypt, in the Russian foreign policy their sentences were commuted! the Israeli newspapers had been notwithstanding the The proof is that initially, the were directed not to demonstrations, not because of newspapers were bringing this write about it. them. story as confirmation that the • When Soviet Jews were There were other reasons demonstrations were helping, granted permission to that Yidden were being let but once the non-Jewish speak on the telephone free—but it was in spite of newspapers published the true to the diaspora, it was the demonstrations. In fact, story, the Jewish newspapers not publicized. at a convention in London, stopped citing it. [..] Do you • There were other the organizers themselves really believe that you can communist countries had admitted that the fool the entire world and that were allowing Jews demonstrations weren’t effective bring this as a proof that the to emigrate during the in saving Yidden (though demonstrations helped, when same time period—and according to them it was worth you yourself know that there was it was kept quiet with the it because public opinion had no connection?! It was a miracle understanding that any been awakened to the issue), and that the demonstrations didn’t fuss would ruin it. those hundred families were a cause the Russians to get upset The Rebbe also pointed prime example. and keep the death sentence, out that he wasn’t alone in Perhaps the most prominent notwithstanding Franco!’” this opinion. “The one sitting example of the false-information The Rebbe also brought in the Vatican” had sent a campaign was the case of the an example from a Gemara message to President Nixon hijackers whose death sentences in Avoda Zara: Zunin said to that the Russians should be had been commuted. The Rebbi Akiva: Both my heart and worked with quietly, and the proponents of demonstrations your heart know that there is State Department had adopted had held this up as a direct result no substance to idol worship. this stance. Nixon himself had of the international furor on the Nevertheless, don’t we see people given the same message to the matter, but in fact it was due to who go with broken limbs to Jewish community: If you want an unrelated geo-political issue: worship idols and come back when a cold war, continue with the On the same day that the appeals they are whole? What is the reason demonstrations, but if you want court was convened for the for this? people to get out of Russia you refuseniks in Russia, the dictator Rebbi Akiva replied that must work quietly. This message of Spain, General Franco, had suffering is sent to a person for had been sent by governments commuted the sentences of six a certain amount of time, by from around the world: London, political dissidents who had the end of which the suffering Washington, Paris, and the been sentenced to death in the must cease. Should the suffering people in the Vatican! In infamous “Burgos Trial.” Being change its course and remain addition to what it was causing that Franco had commuted the because this person went to in Russia, the current attitude of sentences of six people who worship idols?
SIVAN 5778 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER 51 connections in helping people get out. When she argued that the demonstrations had been proven to be effective, the Rebbe said that the world opinion doesn’t yield the results that one would like, bringing an example from a recent Arab hijacking, where the plane had landed in Syria. The furor from the world opinion—the United Nations, the State Department, the worldwide demonstrations— didn’t cause the Syrians to yield a single inch; only the release SOVIET JEWS IN MOSCOW of thirteen terrorists bought the freedom of the Israelis onboard. However, there were a of the government, especially If Damascus wasn’t bothered by number of other factors that considering the fact that the threat to its prestige, can one were blurring the issue. they were being orchestrated truly believe that Moscow is? by people who were on safe Still, she said, the Russian Cold War Motivations territory. Sacrificing lives for a Jews are demanding that we The Israeli leaders were political statement transgesses scream out to the high-heavens politically motivated to drive “Lo sa’amod al dam rei’echa, [You on their behalf—how can we the Cold War with Russia, and shall not stand by the blood of ignore their plea?! it was therefore in their interest your brother].” to shame them on the world The Rebbe answered her at stage. Incidentally, this was not Emotional Blunders: the time, and further elaborated the foreign policy of President In 5730, the Rebbe had on the point at a farbrengen Nixon who favored a strategy of a yechidus with the famous (though it seems the Rebbe is detente, a lessening of tensions refusenik Nechama Lifshitz.3 actually referring to a yechidus with Russia; this is (presumably) She had recently escaped the with another activist). what the Rebbe referred to in Soviet Union, where, among “...Someone told me that his the farbrengen when he said that other things, she had been relative has a question regarding the demonstrations were ruining active in arranging the Simchas a medical operation. I asked him connections with the White Torah celebrations in Moscow, whether they had consulted with House. which were legendary as being a several people, and he said ‘yes.’ By the same token, from a single bright light in the Soviet Then I asked him whether the political perspective it wasn’t darkness, as hundreds of young patient himself had joined the necessarily a loss when the Jews gathered in shul once a year consultation. He looked at me Russian government heightened to celebrate their Yiddishkeit. like I was from a different planet .(”שלא מן הישוב“) their persecution of the Russian At one point, she showed the Yidden: it served to highlight Rebbe a letter she had received “Before he had told me about the viciousness of the Russian from a singer in Moscow asking the operation, he had been government. The Rebbe spoke for help in escaping to Eretz arguing that demonstrations very sharply about these political Yisroel, and she asked whether must be held because the Yidden tactics taking precedence she should arrange protests. in Russia were demanding to the lives of three million The Rebbe replied that instead them. I wanted to see whether Jews, hostages in the hands she should utilize her personal he would understand the connection, so I asked him a
SIVAN 5778 52 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER After explaining second time, ‘Did you ask the their advice and knowingly put eloquently how opinion of the patient?’ Again he them in danger. said, ‘No.’ the Russian Jews “So I asked him to explain Confusion: needed to have their it to me: Seemingly, the patient Addressing the motivation religious rights, this is the one in pain—it’s his of the Jewish leaders involved, foot or his hand. Why are the Rebbe said that some were Israeli proceeded to you consulting with random being put under tremendous nonchalantly partake people who are giving their pressure, and some were simply of the airplane-meal advice solely because they are uninformed and going with the being paid for their services— flow. This was especially true and eat chametz on shouldn’t you ask the patient of the young activists, whose the spot. first?! passion to help their brethren “He said to me, ‘What are was commendable, but were comfortable they are with the you saying? The patient has no being mislead by their leaders. false life of diplomacy! understanding in medicine!’ The Rebbe noted the irony The Rebbe said that he knew “‘Nu!’ I said to him.This still that after so many decades, for a fact that several of those didn’t help, and again I said, people were suddenly getting leading the demonstrations ‘Nu!’ involved in an issue in which had already realized their “I finally had to explain it so many were completely mistake, but were being put explicitly: A Yid who lives in that misinformed, many of them under tremendous pressure not location [...] one may not ask his fighting for religious rights that to reveal their true opinion. opinion, and even if he says his they didn’t seem to care about. The Rebbe put out the call to opinion, one cannot rely on it. There was an Israeli leader, all those involved: Don’t trust If you do so, you are putting the the Rebbe related, who had me—go demand, with a tumul, ‘patient’ in danger—even if the found himself on an airplane to be given the true information patient himself is pleading with with a Soviet politician. It was on the subject. How many you to follow his advice!” during Pesach, and he used the people were freed because of The Rebbe continued that opportunity to speak to him the demonstrations? Get them anyone who is familiar with life about the lack of matzos in the to show you the numbers, under a dictatorship knows that Soviet Union. After explaining black on white! The very fact a regular Russian citizen has eloquently how the Russian Jews there are people asking for this no awareness whatsoever about needed to have their religious information will allow those who the policies of the Kremlin. rights, this Israeli proceeded are only agreeing to this policy They are too afraid to even to nonchalantly partake of the because of pressure to affect a ask about what’s happening airplane-meal and eat chametz change. in their own police station! on the spot. The Russian was The Rebbe completed the In reality, a person outside of shocked, although “obviously landmark sicha on this issue on ה‘ ,Russia who is interested in these [the Israeli leader] didn’t lack Yud Shevat 5731 by saying may Hashem save the ,לי בעוזרי issues and reads up on them explanations: The Russian in the newspapers has a better Yidden are being forced and he Russian Jews from the people understanding of the Kremlin is doing it on his own free will; who are misguided and trying to then ,ואני אראה בשונאי ;than someone who has been the Russian Yidden are people help them living in Moscow for fifty years. from the dark ages, while he we will be able to figure out how The fact that they want a public is a cultural person—all types to deal with the enemies, using furor is understandable—when of explanations.” The point is, the same quiet tactics that had it hurts, you scream! But that said the Rebbe, that this Israeli worked until now. doesn’t mean we should follow didn’t even realize that there was any contradiction—that’s how
SIVAN 5778 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER 53 The Results status” if they continued to consequences for applying of Pressure restrict emigration. The result: for exit-visas. The Rebbe Unfortunately, with some emigration was cut by two- emphasized that it should be notable exceptions, the Jewish thirds. done quietly (albeit firmly), leadership was set on the In the following years, President and without linking it to other demonstrations (although the Carter continued to ramp up matters. Saying that the Soviet foreign policy establishment was, the pressure on Russia, pushing Premier’s (relatively) recent and still is, split on the issue). linkage policies and condemning appointment presented a They also worked on a the Soviets’ human rights record. unique opportunity, the Rebbe “linkage” policy, which would Within a few years, emigration said that everyone with any link America’s economic policy had almost completely come to government influence should with the Russians to their a halt. set aside all other matters to treatment of the emigration focus on this issue. Senator Jacob The Strategy “Chic” Hecht was present at issue. This, too, the Rebbe is Proven fought, with the same rationale: the farbrengen and the Rebbe At the Yud-Beis Tammuz public pressure and shame was encouraged him personally to farbrengen of 5743,4 the Rebbe counterproductive and put the work on the issue. called for the President to apply Jews in danger. At the time, United States the American government’s Their efforts reached their Ambassador Max Kampelman influence on the Soviets zenith in 5734, when Congress was working on a breakthrough regarding the issue of Jewish passed the Jackson-Vanik human rights deal, negotiated emigration: that people amendment, denying Russia the with KGB General Sergei should be permitted to leave coveted “most favored nation Kondrashev. Rabbi Avraham and that they shouldn’t suffer Shemtov met with him just as he was about to get on a flight to Europe and relayed the Rebbe’s message. An Empty Chair? Within a month of the So you symbolically leave an empty chair at the Seder Rebbe’s sicha, the deal was table, indicating that you await the arrival of the Jews from completed, with the Russians behind the Iron Curtain. agreeing only on condition that The empty chair at your Seder will have no effect on the it remained in utter secrecy. goy sitting in the Kremlin. Nothing will come as a result. If George Shultz later wrote you indeed have an unoccupied seat at your Seder, go bring that this was a turning point: your own son and sit him down at the Seder. Bring him from “Ronald Reagan did not crow… Greenwich Village and sit him down in the empty seat. After and the Soviets got the message all, he’s your son! that President Reagan cared But no, he says. He can’t tell his son what to do. His son about the fate of Soviet Jewry in wants to be a “hippy” in Greenwich Village and is uniterested a nonpolitical way.” in the Seder. Why should he tell his son what to do? He’s a big There were other ways that boy! the legitimacy of the Rebbe’s But if you have an empty chair at your Seder, instead approach was being felt. “About of leaving it empty and waiting for the Yidden from there three years later,” Senator Hecht [Russia], go around your own block and find a Yid who related, “a very important vote doesn’t know how to make his own Seder, or doesn’t even came before the U.S. Senate. know what a Seder is, and sit him down at your table! Teach President Reagan needed my him how to make a Seder… vote to break a tie. The vote was (Shabbos Parshas Tzav 5730) very important to the President. I had been a top supporter of
SIVAN 5778 54 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER President Reagan as I felt he was the best friend Israel had in the White House. “I met personally with President Reagan and told him of my decision to back him with my tie-breaking vote. I then asked if I might bring up a concern on my mind. President Reagan graciously agreed. I told President Reagan that my late mother was an immigrant from the Soviet Union, and only by the grace of G-d am I standing before you today in the United States Senate. I urged the President to place increased emphasis on the release of tens of thousands of Soviet Jews before the next summit conference. [I said:] ‘Those who are allowed to leave the Soviet Union, Mr. President, should not be just the elderly, but also children, teenagers, doctors
President LEVI FREIDIN VIA JEM, 9967 Reagan gave SENATOR JACOB “CHIC” HECHT VISITS THE REBBE FOR LEKACH, HOSHANA RABBAH 5747. the list of 1200 names to Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev at the Reykjavik Conference and spoke of its importance. Within weeks a trickle of JEM 108118 Jews began to SENATOR HENRY M. JACKSON (LEFT) IN YECHIDUS, 18 CHESHVAN 5735, SHORTLY BEFORE THE DETRIMENTAL leave Russia. JACKSON–VANIK AMENDMENT OF 1974 WAS PASSED.
SIVAN 5778 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER 55 COURTESY OF THE RONALD REAGAN LIBRARY OF THE RONALD REAGAN COURTESY SENATOR CHIC HECHT GIVES PRESIDENT REAGAN A LIST OF 1200 RUSSIAN JEWS, SHORTLY BEFORE THE PRESIDENT'S TRIP TO REYKJAVIK, ICELAND TO MEET SOVIET PRESIDENT MIKHAIL GORBACHEV. OCTOBER 7, 1986.
and scientists. All should be allowed the basic human right of freedom.’” President Reagan expressed tremendous concern. “I was President Reagan’s last appointment before leaving for the Reykjavik, Iceland Conference which took place in early October 1986. At that meeting I presented President Reagan with a list of names of 1200 Soviet Jews who had applied to emigrate from Russia. I reminded the President that the numbers could reach in the PRESIDENT REAGAN MEETING WITH SOVIET PRESIDENT MIKHAIL GORBACHEV AT THE millions, but this would be a REYKJAVIK CONFERENCE. start. I used “quiet diplomacy” as Mr. Gorbachev told them that demonstrations for Russian only the President, an aide and there were many around him Jewry. By 5748, it had grown myself were in the Oval Office. that did not want the Jews to to two hundred thousand “President Reagan gave the leave Russia and if we made people, and in a declassified list of 1200 names to Soviet it public, the exodus would transcript of the Washington President Mikhail Gorbachev at stop. President Reagan used Summit between Reagan and the Reykjavik Conference and “quiet diplomacy” with Mr. Gorbachev which took place spoke of its importance. Within Gorbachev.” shortly afterwards, one sees quite weeks a trickle of Jews began to evidently the Rebbe’s concern: leave Russia. The Final Push Gorbachev began by saying “After President Reagan left “Solidarity Sunday” was that “he always appreciated the office... Mrs. Reagan said that one of the most public annual tact with which the President
SIVAN 5778 56 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER Henry Kissinger told him: ‘Had we listened to the Rabbi, we would have gotten them out years earlier.’ addressed this delicate issue”, were counterproductive, that but when Reagan mentioned they were a mistake; both the huge rally, Gorbachev’s Rabbi Yoshe Ber and Rabbi attitude changed. He said that Aaron Soloveichik deferred he “would not sit as the accused to the Rebbe and agreed with before a prosecutor,” and they him. And in the final analysis, were forced to move on to other Senators Hubert Humphrey and matters. Pat Moynihan also felt that the The Rebbe persuaded Senator Rebbe’s approach was the right Patrick Moynihan to cancel one. the rally the following year. Dr. “And it worked. Senator David Luchins, who advised Moynihan told me that Henry the senator and brought him Kissinger told him: ‘Had we the Rebbe’s message, relates:5 listened to the Rabbi, we would “Senator Moynihan went into have gotten them out years the lion’s den. He went to the earlier.’” leadership of the conference 1. See Diedushke p. 450. on Soviet Jewry, and told 2. For the sichos below, see Sichos them, ‘Gentlemen, ladies, it’s Kodesh 5731 vol. 1, p. 442-453, 466-474; time to reach out; cancel your Sichos Kodesh 5730 vol. 1, p. 658-662. demonstration.’ A battle ensued 3. See Diedushka p. 462. that was somewhat awful. The 4. Hisvaaduyos 5743 vol. 4 p. 1735. TOP SECRET DOCUMENTS OF THE MEETINGS BETWEEN PRESIDENT senator stuck to his guns and 5. Living Torah program 250, Lone RONALD REAGAN AND SOVIET PRESIDENT MIKHAIL GORBACHEV did not budge. And it worked. Voice AT THE REYKJAVIK CONFERENCE. It succeeded. We sent a letter to the Soviets, with fifty seven United States senators signing. That letter was approved word for word by the Rebbe.[...] It was a letter telling the Soviets that we understood that they were interested in revisiting the issue [of emigration] and that if they would show good faith we would meet them partway, and Congress would be prepared to accommodate. This went against the wishes of the political right wing in America, against the wishes of the organized Jewish community. “The Rebbe was a daas yochid throughout the years, holding that demonstrations VIA JEM, 42921 CB HALBERSTAM SENATOR PATRICK MOYNIHAN VISITS THE REBBE FOR DOLLARS, 21 ADAR 5750.
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