Conference taveng::bagels

996.0. "Meir Kahane and the Soviet Jews" by HPSTEK::YEDVABNY () Thu Nov 08 1990 17:20

The assassination of rabbi Kahane is a sad but appropriate occasion to ask 
a question which is of interest to us, the former Soviet Jews. We would like to 
know what is the general opinion of the American Jewry about the role of
Meir Kahane in triggering the Jewish emigration from the Soviet Union.

Back in the 60-s and early 70-s all we heard about was that the JDL led by its
"fanatical leader Meir Kahane" set a fire at the Aeroflot office in NYC, or
demonstrated at various sport events. We knew that the theme of those 
demonstrations was "Liberation of Soviet Jews." Only later we heard about the
Jackson-Vanick amendment, about similar calls at various international 
conferences and art events. But this was much later. If at least chronologically
we were informed correctly then it seems difficult to dismiss the significance
of those demonstrations.

There is no doubt that the press which reached us in the USSR at that time was
awfully distorted. This is why it is important to us to understand what the
true order of events was. There is a clear notion of denouncement of Meir Kahane
among the American Jewry for his extremism. This disapproval casts a shadow of
non-objectivity in judging what he has called for and done in his public life.

Now his death drew a line under which we can start sorting out his deeds. We may
change our views about some of them as time makes us wiser, but if we know of
something for which we should be thankful to him today, it is important to say 
it today when he is leaving us.