Rabbi Says Jews Must Learn to Talk to the Soviet Union to Attain Peace in the Middle East

Declaring that “no peace is possible in the Middle East without the approval of Russia,” Rabbi Stanley Rabinowitz, president of the Rabbinical Assembly, said that Israel and the Jews of the world had “better learn how to talk to Russia if we want peace.” The head of the Conservative rabbinate, interviewed after his return from a visit to Israel, explained that “Russia may not be able to make peace in the Middle East, but it is able to disrupt peace in the Middle East. Only those who know how to talk to Russia will bring peace.”

Referring to the problems of Jewish emigration from the Soviet Union and the treatment accorded to the Jews living there, the rabbi of Washington’s Adas Israel Congregation emphasized: “While it is understandable and justifiable for us to show our displeasure by demonstrating against Russian policies, demonstrations will not bring peace.”

Rabinowitz, returning from Israel after conferring with many of its leaders, and Israelis in general, stated that the Israelis are arguing about the Russians. They argue among themselves, he said, as to why so many emigrating Soviet Jews opt against going to Israel and whether philanthropic help should be given to Russian Jews going elsewhere. He continued:

“The Russian Jews are leaving, but not all are going to Israel. Too many are dropping out in Vienna. The only people allowed to leave Russia are Armenians, who come and go as they wish; Germans who are allowed to rejoin their families in East Germany, which is Communist and Jews who are allowed to rejoin their families. Varying percentages, often reaching more than 50 percent of Russian Jews, who obtain exit visas for Israel choose to go elsewhere, after they reach Vienna, and our own agencies make them comfortable because they are Jews who cannot be neglected.”

OBLIGATION TO SOVIET JEWS

Answering the question: “What is our obligation to these people in the face of political realities?” he said: “They are Jews; we should get them out of Russia. And once they get out, we must help resettle them.” There are Israelis and American Jews who disagree. They point out that the USSR may decide to close down emigration of Jews to the West because Russians feel that these potential emigres desire only to “live the good capitalistic line and they see no reason to allow Jews to emigrate for such a reason when other Russians are barred from doing so.”

Rabinowitz returned from Israel convinced that “the spirit of Israel has strengthened” since his previous-visit a year earlier. Even though there has been enormous inflation and aliya has not grown; he reported that Israelis are encouraged by several factors: “The economist says exports have increased. The campaign worker says contributions are up. The political leader says there is little terrorism no soldiers are dying, there has been no mobilization, and the PLO has been weakened.”

This is the reason for optimism among the Israelis, Rabinowitz concluded. “There is a feeling that peace is possible. There is optimism about President-elect Jimmy Carter and a hope that moderate Arab leadership will be able to work with him for peace. Let us hope and pray this is so.”