In an exchange of letters between President Nixon and Ruth Aleksandrovich Averbuch, released today by the National Conference on Soviet Jewry, Nixon declared his concern for Soviet Jews and assured her “of my administration’s abiding concern over the plight of Jews and other minorities in the Soviet Union.”
“As you know,” the President wrote, “we are deeply committed to supporting the right of free emigration and religious liberty for all the peoples of this world. We will continue to press for these freedoms both in public forums and in private discussions. “Mrs. Averbuch and her husband Isaiah Averbuch. were invited to this country by the NCSJ. They toured the United States on behalf of Jews still in the Soviet Union. The letter from Nixon arrived on the eve of Mrs. Averbuch’s return to Israel.
Mrs. Averbuch opened the exchange of correspondence with Nixon on Jan. 7 when she wrote to thank him for all his “efforts on behalf of the oppressed Jews in the Soviet Union” who, she added, “are eagerly awaiting your arrival in the Soviet Union, believing deeply that they can be helped in their struggle for the preservation of their Jewish religious and cultural identity and for the freedom to emigrate to Israel.” Nixon will be visiting the Soviet Union in May.
Mrs. Averbuch delivered her letter to the White House in person with the assistance of the Jewish Community Council of Greater Washington and the NCSJ. Mr. and Mrs. Averbuch were in Washington as guests of both organizations and met with various administration officials.
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