Two More Soviet Jewish Families Arrive in Israel; One Reports Riga Trial Suspended

A Russian-Jewish family that arrived here from Riga last night reported that no Jews were standing trial in that city. They said the trial of Riga Jews, including Ruth Aleksandrovich, a 23-year-old nurse who was part of a Hebrew studies group, has been suspended and no one knows why. The three Jews from Riga comprised one of two Soviet Jewish families arriving in Israel Yesterday. They told newsmen that their 24-year-old son was left behind because he was refused an exit visa. They also reported that another Jewish family, consisting of seven members, three of them physicians, is expected to leave Riga for Israel next week, Lev Hatzarnov, a Moscow Jew, also arrived at Lydda Airport with his wife and five children and his mother. He told newsmen that there was a definite Jewish revival in Russia. He said many young Jews were returning to Judaism and are seeking permission to go to Israel. According to Hatzarnov, adult Jews who were not circumcised in infancy are applying to rabbis to arrange the ceremony. Hatzarnov reported that the Soviet press carried derogatory reports of life in Israel, allegedly from Russian Jews who went there and returned. He said most Soviet Jews regarded this as “cheap propaganda” and did not take it seriously. He said his family was aware of the difficulties of adjusting to life in Israel, adding, “We did not come here for an easy life. We have come to contribute what we can to the State.”