Thousands of observant Jews crowded into the sports stadium in Tel Aviv’s Yad Eliahu Quarter — Israel’s main basketball arena — for a prayer meeting and demonstration on behalf of Soviet Jewry.
The meeting Tuesday night was organized by Rabbi Rafael Halperin, formerly Israel’s "strong man" and champion weight-lifter and body-builder, with the support of most Israeli rabbis, over the opposition of Orthodox rabbinical leaders in the U.S.
Opening the meeting, Rabbi Menachem Taub, the Rebbe of Kaliv, stressed the gathering was not against the Soviet Union but a prayer that the Al-mighty would bring about a change in the hearts of the Soviet leadership and allow them to permit Russian Jews to worship in the way they want and to join their brethren in Israel.
Halperin said he believed the Soviet authorities want to rid themselves of the Jews but could only respond to a non-political religious appeal.
Speaking on behalf of the government, Ariel Sharon, wearing a black skullcap, called on Jews everywhere to show responsibility towards Jews wherever they lived.
The rally was strenuously opposed by the Chabad movement in the U.S. and other Orthodox groups, who said they felt that any attempt to save Soviet Jewry should only be made through quiet diplomacy, without public gatherings which could be misconstrued by Moscow as an anti-Soviet activity.
Much of the meeting was given over to the reciting of prayers and Psalms, and by a recital of religious music. Halperin announced that similar rallies are to be held in Jerusalem and other Israeli cities.
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