Eyewitness Report on Current Condition in USSR and a cantor, with choir, perform the full service, with the aid of microphones and amplifiers. The average age of the group was about 55. Only a few surreptitious- ly confessed that they felt perse- cuted and outcast. Most wearily admitted that conditions were "alles gut" in Leningrad. How- ever, when I handed over a mezuza to one of the leaders of a minyan, he became excited and admitted tearfully that new mezu- zas were impossible to find in the Soviet Union. This is also true of taleisim, tephillin, yarmulkes and prayer books. There does seem to be slight improvement along religious lines in the USSR, at least superficial- ly. For example, the large syna- gogue on Arkipova Street in Mos- cow was recently repainted and refurbished. The synagogue in Leningrad is scheduled for reno- vation. This is due to the impact of Jewish tourists from abroad who demand to see these synagogues and who have, in the past, com- plained of their shabby condition. The synagogue in Kiev—which has no rabbi—remains run down and There is a great sense of futil- dilapidated, probably because few ity among Jews about applying tourists ever visit it. for emigration visas to Israel. In the same vein, the Babi They see the weary long-term Yar cenotaph outside of Kiev, efforts of their co-religionists in though it still does not refer to trying to get out and a pessi- the Jewish tragedy which oc• mistic attitude about emigration curred there, is nevertheless has developed even among the well cared for and landscaped young. Nevertheless, in Kiev, a with flowers. It is rumored that young man I spoke to was anx- a new monument will be erected ious to apply. by the Ukrainian government to recognize the Jewish tragedy I attended services during Sha- —also probably the result of in- vuot in Leningrad and can report cessant tourist demands to see that about 300 men and women Babi Yar. filled the large synagogue on Ler- Even a casual tourist can find montov Prospect to hear a rabbi By OWEN S. RACHLEFF A Seven Arts Feature Twelve days in the Soviet Union does not make one an expert, but it does provide an opportunity for some meaningful experiences. In Moscow, Kiev and Leningrad, I made it my business to see, as so many vistors do, the leading synagogues, to speak to Jewish citizens and to garner reactions and opinions about Jewish life in the USSR. Young Jews do indeed seek out tourists to make their message heard. I found this to be particu- larly true in Moscow where I had occasion to visit the Saturn Res- taurant, a leading gathering place for young "swingers." Most of them are devotees of the Kol Israel news broadcasts heard daily at 7 p.m. On Russian radio. Despite government attempts at jamming, these broadcasts are beamed in from Israel. They are in Russian and Ukrainian and offer Hebrew lessons besides. From these broad- casts, young people have learned about conditions in the Middle East and in other parts of the world. others," he said, "and the others don't have very much. We want to do the best work we can, but we get second-rate jobs. They tell us we're not really one of them, but they won't let us go where we belong." Vemco ELECTRONIC GARAGE DOOR A • r t:Stry ill Hi it-•leweL FT za • 20010 James CoizensDrive Detroit 35. Michigan Call Evenings Until 9 Intourist Bureau of the USSR is by far the most efficient and progressive non-military operation among government institutions. Therefore, tourism can be a tool when it comes to improving Jewish life within the Soviet state. As for emigration, the outlook is less promising, since a great deal will depend on the Middle East con- flict. 353-3284 - Ce), Aftla ig • au 1,/044-C.P... P'+on e: 342-5666 PACKER • PONTIAC STILL THE WORLD'S LARGEST Withal, it is not "alles gut" in the USSR as some of the older folks would have us believe. Rather it is more in line with what Mikhail, a young Jewish student, told me at the Saturn Restaurant. "We are given less than the "REMEMBER" WE SELL THE MOST WE GIVE THE MOST WHEN YOU lac A COCKTAIL d i a g eccez • .,7 F , !■ 75 • 0,1,11. ! WE CARE THE MOST MILT LEVIN Call 863-9300 41; RED STOTSKY Call 863-9300 18650 LIVERNOIS, SOUTH OF SEVEN Co-sponsor of increased homestead exemption for senior citizens, reducing their tax-load during the Golden Years. STATE SENATOR 15Th DISTRICT • DEMOCRAT CORPORA1 ED 6g"; ,Jewish feelings towards Israel and the age-old love of Zion, are taboo in the view of the govern- ment. Yet even the Kremlin is vulnerable in this regard. KRAMER WORKS FOR THE SENIOR CITIZEN KRAMER 7-71 (,,'i nt OPENER THE KRAMER RECORD ELECT REPRESENTATIVE ALBERT A. lI manifestations of the Soviet anti- Zionist attitude in the press and in pamphlets and booklets at air- ports and other places for foreign consumption. At the Moscow air- port, I was able to pick up a book- let of over 75 pages entitled "Zionism: Instrument of Imperial- ist Reaction" published by Novosti Press Agency. An English langu- age publicataion, New Times, had in its spring issue a story entitled "Inside Israel" which spelled out the usual Soviet line about "im- perialist and aggressive Israel." THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS 6—Friday, July 31, 1970 KRAMER WORKS FOR THE COMMUNITY KRAMER WORKS FOR ISRAEL! Author of the amendment to the Building Au- thority Act permitting recreational consturction in communities of Michigan. This amendment has been used by both Southfield and Oak Park to build new recreational facilities. • Sponsored the low which made permanent Blue Cross coverage mandatory for dependent minors who are physically or men- tally handicapped. • Introduced law to prevent unfair cancellation of auto liability insurance. The law is known as the "Kramer Act." • Co-sponsored the Law on Pollution, which permits citizen par- ticipation in the fight against pollution, and has introduced another which creates a Department of Environmental Control, focusing responsibility in this most important area. • Co-sponsor of the State Fire Insurance Law which provides a fire insurance pool for property owners. • Co-sponsor of law aiding communities in the hiring of policemen and firemen. • Chairman of Blue Cross-Blue Shield investigation, designed to reduce their rates and improve the quality of their service. KRAMER WORKS FOR YOUTH Author of legislation requiring upgraded standards of psy- chological testing in public schools, together with guidelines for evaluation which safeguard the individual's privacy. KRAMER WORKS FOR THE HANDICAPPED HE THINKS ABOUT YOU! HIS RECORD PROVES IT! Paid for by Volunteers for Kramer Committee Author of the original amendment for state support of sum- mer school programs for the handicapped, which benefit children throughout the state. Above is a copy of the most recent resolution sponsor- ed by Al Kramer in the Michigan House of Repre- sentatives. By this resolution, Kramer caused the house to go on record u rging President Nixon to deliver jets and other needed armaments to Israel. Another way Al Kramer thinks about you!