The governors of eight states and Puerto Rico, on an exchange visit to the Soviet Union last week, made an unscheduled stop at the synagogue in Tblisi, capital of Soviet Georgia. They did it at the special request of one of their group, Gov. Warren E. Hearnes of Missouri, according to the Kansas City Jewish Chronicle. Before his departure on the tour sponsored by the National Governors Conference and the US State Department, Hearnes was briefed on the situation of Soviet Jewry and the obstacles placed before those Jews who desire to emigrate.
He was advised that an expression of interest by him or by the other governors could help assure the safety of 40 Soviet Jewish political prisoners and others who are imperiled because they seek permission to leave. The eight governors met with the rabbi of the Tblisi synagogue and some of the congregants. Gov. Marvin Mandel of Maryland was the only Jew in the group. The other states represented were Michigan, Wyoming, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Colorado.
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.
