According to the National Conference on Soviet Jewry, Vice President Walter Mondale, on his visit to Israel last weekend, met with families of Soviet Jewish activists who are presently being harassed in the USSR. Among those who met with Mondale were Sylva Zalmanson; Aleksander Slepak, son of Vladimir Slepak; liana Fridman, sister of Ida Nudel; Victor Polsky; and Avital Shcharansky, wife of Anatoly Shcharansky. A representative of the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs also attended the meeting.
Former Soviet Jews discussed the present situation in the USSR regarding emigration as well as their particular families’ plights. All their family members in the USSR have been singled out by Soviet authorities for their Jewish emigration activities, some of whom have served prison terms. Mondale assured those present that he would use his office publicly and privately to ease the plight of these separated Soviet Jews some of whom have been waiting up to eight years for exit visas. While still a Senator from Minnesota, Mondale met with Vladimir Slepak in his Moscow home while on a Senate mission in 1975.
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.
