Heavy Demand Reported for Soviet Jewry Exhibit

The Greater New York Conference for Soviet Jewry said today that hundreds of requests have come in for a portable exhibit titled “Crisis and Survival: The Plight of Soviet Jews.” The exhibit was officially unveiled in the Capitol building in Washington, D.C. last Thursday at ceremonies attended by 50 Congressmen of both parties. So far 35 Congressmen have asked for copies for display in their home districts and at least 500 more are being sent to communities all over the country in response to requests from various Jewish groups, according to a spokesman for the Greater New York Conference.

The ceremonies on Capitol Hill marked the second anniversary of the mass arrests of Jews in Leningrad and other Russian cities who were subsequently tried in Leningrad and sentenced to long prison terms at hard labor for allegedly plotting to hijack a Soviet airliner. The ceremonies were sponsored by the National Conference for Soviet Jewry and the National Jewish Community Relations Advisory Council and co-sponsored by 120 members of Congress of both parties. The exhibit, consisting of panels of photographs and original documents on Soviet anti-Semitism. Soviet Jewish culture, Jewish prisoners and the activities of concerned Americans was prepared by the Greater New York Conference and the Anti-Defamation League of B’nai B’rith. Copies are available at $10 apiece to cover expenses, the Conference spokesman said.