The National Conference on Soviet Jewry said here today it had learned about an apparent continuing effort to control the number of ulpanim–Hebrew language courses–in Moscow. Officials said Soviet authorities refused to allow Vladimir Prestin and Boris Einbinder to register in the tax department to serve as ulpanim teachers. The NCSJ said the two men, both private Hebrew teachers, met with an official identified as Chairman Pristakvin, who told them they were not qualified, that there was insufficient demand and that it was not necessary that Soviet citizens study Hebrew.
The NCSJ also reported that Benjamin Lavich, a Moscow scientist, who recently applied for an exit visa, was told by the Moscow ovir office last week that he would not get the visa and that appeals against the decision would be useless. He was warned he might face trial under Art, 190 of the Soviet Criminal Code for publicizing his case abroad.
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