Bar-Ilan University has awarded a research fellowship in world literature to Mikhail Zand, the Soviet Jewish activist who was recently dismissed from the Institute for Eastern Studies in Moscow and is seeking to leave for Israel. Dr. Zand, whose specialty is Oriental, Arabic and Asian scholarship, would study the relations between Hebrew literature and writings in other languages, especially those of Asia. Dr. Zand, 44, telephoned today by the Israel Broadcasting Service, reported from Moscow that memorial candles for Israeli soldiers killed in and since the War of Independence were lit in Moscow synagogues and private homes. “It is our remembrance day, as it is yours,” said the professor, who recently served two weeks in jail for “hooliganism” in a protest demonstration. He added that Russian Jews were planning to celebrate Israeli Independence Day at meetings in private homes tonight during which they will tell youngsters the story of Israel.
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