Psychologist Accuses Russia of Seeking to Erase Jewish Religious, Cultural Identity

Russia was accused of seeking “to blot out Jewish life” in a deliberate attempt to crush those who want to maintain their religious and cultural identity. The accusation was made by Dr., Herbert S. Caron. a Case Western Reserve University psychologist, one of 15 “witnesses” who testified against the Soviets in the public trial sponsored by the American Nationalities Movement of Greater Cleveland which commemorated Captive Nations Week in St. John College Auditorium several days ago. The accusers, representing Iron Curtain captive nations, also included Dr. Caron. assigned by the Jewish Council of Concern for Anti-Semitism, who charged “Russia’s three million Jews are prohibited from leaving the Communist country and subjected to untold kinds of repression and prejudice.” He called attention to the fact that Jewish educational institutions are being Systematically eliminated and that “references to Jews are being blotted out of official Soviet history, even though Jews have made significant contributions to Soviet progress.” Dr. Caron accused Russia of denying immigration rights to Jews; of defaming Jewish citizens; of denying the right to perpetuate Jewish culture and attempting to destroy religion by holding synagogues illegal and immoral. Nicholas A. Bucur. attorney and program chairman, had invited Anatoly F. Dobrynin, Soviet Ambassador to Washington, to attend the hearings before a panel of Judges, The ambassador did not appear and an empty chair was designated for the USSR.