The 7200-member transient community of Soviet Jewish refugees in Rome had an emotional encounter with Israel’s Ambassador to Italy, Moshe Allon. He spent a full day last week with them beginning with a morning visit to the Ostia school where intensive and well attended courses in Jewish history, geography, culture and the Hebrew language are now given along with the English language program for Jewish refugees bound for English speaking countries.
It was an historic first, since no Israeli Ambassador had ever attempted to establish first hand contact with the Soviet refugees who turn down immigration to Israel in favor of the U.S. Canada, Australia or New Zealand. They wait in Rome from three months (for the U.S.) to a year (for Australia) until their immigration visas are ready.
In the evening, Allon addressed a room packed to capacity with about 500 Soviet Jews in the audience. He spoke in Hebrew with a Russian translator and answered a cascade of questions afterwards.
‘ISRAEL BROUGHT YOU HERE’
The Ambassador spoke of Israel, past, present and future. He also spoke of how Israel saw its relationship to these immigrants. “Israel brought you here. Others will receive you. But no matter where you go, don’t forget one thing: that you are Jews. Israel will continue to fight for your rights in the USSR. In the past five or six years we have received 150,000 of you. Whenever you wish, in the future, you are free to come to Israel, but also free to go again.”
Many of the families present decided on their destinations on the basis of joining relatives in English-speaking countries. Several said they had found the decision difficult, had considered Israel, but would have wanted to visit first.
But once in Italy as refugees, they risked not being readmitted by the Italian authorities since there is no official guarantee they can leave and return under their special status. Some families confided that they never got enough information on Israel in the Soviet Union, or at least, they felt they could not trust what they heard because they were so used to having to discount the propaganda slant on any news they got on the outside world, the U.S. included.
One refugee said in certain areas such as Kiev or Odessa it took at times 6-12 years to get permission to emigrate.
PART OF A NEW POLICY
The Ambassador’s visit was part of a new policy adopted by the Jewish Agency about a year ago when the Jewish studies program was inaugurated at Ostia. His key words were “Above all, don’t forget you are Jewish.” Israel now realizes the importance of helping these immigrants re-establish their identities, after decades of a concerted effort by the Soviet regime to erase their cultural and religious heritage.
The various courses related to Judaism are enthusiastically attended by Soviet families and the young people in particular, devour whatever reading matter is available to them. “The children….”Ambassador Allon told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, “you should see how these children learn Hebrew, how eager they are.”
The idea is; it seeds are not sown, no fruits will ever grow.
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