Cleveland Federation Plans Appeal for Soviet Jews to Moiseyev Troupe

The Jewish Community Federation said today that it was planning a “constructive protest” against Soviet treatment of Jews when the Moiseyev Dance company appears here this weekend. Under guidance of the Federation’s community relations committee, some 100 protesters will distribute pamphlets to patrons. Sidney Zilber, CRC chairman, said the pamphlets will extend a welcome to the Soviet ballet members but will also note that what the audience will be shown “is but one side of the Russian story. There is another side, a side seldom seen, sordid, inhumane and oppressive, the story of oppression of the Jewish minority.” The pamphlet charges that “to be a Jew in the Soviet Union is to be subject to special repressive treatment,” and it cites prohibitions on Jewish education, religious observance and culture in the Soviet Union. Mr. Zilber said the CRC also will seek a meeting with Moiseyev troupe leaders to “extend them a community welcome” and to congratulate them on their “magnificent talents.”

At the same time, he said CRC representatives will point out to the Soviet troupe leaders “that their government is refusing to permit many thousands of Jews to leave Russia and go to Israel and, because they have been outspoken in their demands to leave, many have been deprived of their jobs and livelihood” and that “of this group, 28 have been imprisoned.” He expressed the hope that when the dancers return to Russia, “they will be able to tell Soviet leaders that America is also aware of the repressions against Russian citizens whose only crimes are that they are Jewish and that they wish to leave for Israel.” He said petitions would be circulated of each of the three weekend Moiseyev performances to be sent to the Soviet ambassador in Washington “seeking release of the 28 Jews who have been arrested and permission for them to leave so they can rejoin their families.”