Ten out of 11 packages of matzoth, sent from this city to individuals in the Soviet Union, have been returned without explanation, it was announced today by Rodef Chesed, the Swedish Association for Jewish Assistance.
The parcels, each containing over 12 pounds of matzoth, had been addressed to Jews in 11 different Soviet cities. All the parcels returned had been opened by Soviet customs authorities. Tass, the Soviet news agency, had announced prior to the Passover season that matzoth could be sent to individuals in the Soviet Union.
Two members of Sweden’s Parliament, who had sent appeals to Soviet authorities in Moscow, requesting that matzoh baking be permitted there, said today that they have as yet received no answers to their requests.
From Moscow, it was reported here today that a capacity audience, including many Jews, crowded the Maly Theatre in the Soviet capital when, during Passover, an Italian theatrical company gave a performance of “The Diary of Anne Frank. ” The Italian company, playing in the Soviet Union under a cultural exchange agreement, had to negotiate at length to get permission to put on “The Diary of Anne Frank, ” and was finally allowed to give the drama two performances–although all other plays by the troupe were to be given five performances.
Jews in the Maly Theatre audience wept and later pelted the actors with flowers, thanking the Italians profusely for the performance, the report said.
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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.
