Speech by Mayor John V. Lindsay - Soviet Jewry Protest (1969)

/ Speech by Mayor John V. Lindsay - Sovie…

Speech

October 2, 1969

Speech by Mayor John V. Lindsay - Soviet Jewry Protest (1969)

Soviet Jewry

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Digest of Statement by Rabbi Norman Lamm (1969)

We are here, representing all of New York Jewry, to express three central themes: sorrow, solidarity, and protest. Our sorrow concerns the condition of three million Soviet Jews who have had to bear fifty years of Communist repression, and cultural and religious deprivation. We have gathered too to demonstrate our solidarity with young Russian Jews who, after three generations of enforced alienation, have rediscovered their Jewish identities and on Simchat Torah defiantly express it by singing and dancing in front of syna- gogues in the major Russian cities. We are doing so here three days in advance, resolving that we will not forget them — not until they are free.We are also here to protest -- because we are Jews and because of our commitment to human dignity. We protest the condition of Russian Jews as the chief victims of residual Stalin- ism. We protest the discrimination against Jews in denying them cultural and religious rights granted to other minorities.-- a denial which violates the Soviet Constitution. We demand that the right granted by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights — the right to leave any country --be given to Russian Jews.Let them live -- or let them leave.

Correspondence

Letter to Mayor Lindsay about UN March for Soviet Jewry (1969)

Dear Mr. Lindsay: The New York Conference on Soviet Jewry, a coordinating committee of the local chapters of the major national Jewish organizations, will be conducting a demonstration for Soviet Jewry at the Dag Hammarskjold Plaza of the United Nations on Thursday, October 2, at 6:30 p.m. The demonstration, which will be called a Simchat Torah Celebration, will be held to express solidarity with the young people in the Soviet Union who each year have congregated at the large synagogues in Moscow and Leningrad to dance on this joyous holiday as an expression of their Jewish identity. We would be most honored if you, as the Chief Executive of this great city and as one who has spoken out on this important issue in the past, could be with us and extend greetings to the thousands whom we expect will be there. We hope your schedule can be so arranged, and would appreciate it greatly if you could let us know as soon as possible, so that we can make the necessary arrangements for our publicity and invitations. Rabbi Norman Lamm, Chairman – David Geller, Coordinator – N.Y. Conference on Soviet Jewry.

Correspondence

Letter to Mayor Lindsay Soliciting His Endorsement for Soviet Jewry Campaign (1969)

Dear Mr. Lindsay, The American Jewish Conference on Soviet Jewry is undertaking a major campaign to obtain signatures or endorsements of Governors and Mayors on the enclosed statement on behalf of Soviet Jewry. The purpose of this campaign is to draw nation-wide attention by simultaneous publication of the statement in various parts of the country timed with Human Rights Day on December 10th, which this year falls during the holiday of Chanuka, which commemorates an ancient victory over oppression.We know that you are no stranger to this cause. Your appearance and eloquent speech at the Rally on October 2nd at the Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza was only one of many times in which you have spoken out or performed some particular service on this tragic issue. We would hope, therefore, that you would lend your personal endorsement and the prestige of your office to this campaign.We visualize the proclamation being read at a public ceremony in your office or at a press conference during the week of December 7th, preferably on Human Rights Day, December 10th. Several representatives of the various New York-based Jewish organizations should be present.As Chairman of the New York Conference on Soviet Jewry, I would promise my assistance in any way that would make the ceremony as smooth-running as possible.We await, hopefully, your affirmative reply.Sincerely,David Geller, CoordinatorN.Y. Conference on Soviet JewryRabbi Norman Lamm, ChairmanN.Y. Conference on Soviet Jewry