Joining a nationwide drive, Mayor Stephen May has written to Soviet Communist Party Chairman Leonid Brezhnev to protest the imprisonment of Sylva Zalmanson Kuznetsov. May said his letter sought to express the widespread sense of outrage concerning Mrs. Kuznetsov’s treatment and to add “one more urgent voice in an appeal for Justice and humanity” in response to a local campaign sparked by the Committee on the Plight of Soviet Jewry of the Jewish Community Council and its president, Irving Ruderman. May also urged Rochesterians to join him in sending letters of encouragement to Mrs. Kuznetsov.
In the letter to Brezhnev, the Mayor stated, “It is with a deep feeling of sorrow and concern that I view the Inhumanity in the Soviet Union’s treatment of Sylva Zalmanson.” May also urged Brezhnev to “arrange immediately for Sylva Zalmanson’s release, for proper medical treatment for her, and for an opportunity to live the decent life she rightfully deserves.”
To Mrs. Kuznetsov the Mayor wrote: “In our hearts and minds we abhor the callous attitude and acts which cause your present plight, and we are making every effort to erase such tragic behavior from all mankind. Be assured that many old and new friends are with you each day in spirit, joining in protest to the government of the Soviet Union and urging your release in the cause of restoring decency, honesty and compassion as a way of life in your country.”
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
