EDITORIAL
Trapped In Moscow
M
oscow's rejection of the Bush administration's appeal to allow direct
flights for Soviet Jews from Moscow to Israel is disturbing on a number
of levels.
The most worrisome aspect is that thousands of Soviet Jews seeking to
emigrate now may be trapped at a time when anti-Semitism within the Soviet
Union is increasing. There are simply not enough flights from Moscow to
Budapest — the most common route — for all who want to leave. The migration
will not stop, but it will be slowed at this critical time when it is estimated that
more than 10,000 Jews a month would leave the USSR if direct flights were
available. About 4,600 Jews came to Israel last month, mostly via Budapest.
This turn of events is embarrassing to the United States, which based, in
part, its October 1 decision to limit the admission of Soviet Jews here on the
assumption that Jews would be able to leave the USSR without difficulty.
Aeroflot, the Soviet airline, signed an agreement in December with El Al,
Israel's airline, calling for direct flights from Moscow to Tel Aviv. But Arab
governments have been pressuring the Soviets to slow the emigration of Jews to
Israel and cancel the flight agreement.
The Arabs are concerned that the new influx to Israel will bolster the Arab-
Jewish ratio there in favor of the Jews and displace Palestinians in the West
Bank.
The Soviet excuse — that the cancellation of the flight agreement is based on
Israel settling Soviet Jewish emigrants on the West Bank — is a smokescreen.
The facts bear out that less than one percent of the emigrants have moved to the
disputed areas, and the Israeli government is on record as having no policy of
directing newcomers to the territories. "Every immigrant is free to choose his
place of residence as he pleases," noted Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir.
American Jews must redouble their efforts on behalf of the Jews in the
USSR before it is too late. While it is preferable, for a variety of reasons, that
the majority of Soviet Jewish emigrants be directed to Israel, this most recent
turn of events dictates that new alternatives be explored. Pressure should be
brought on countries like Canada and Australia to take in Soviet Jews. And
Washington should be lobbied to raise the current ceiling of 50,000 refugees a
year. Otherwise Soviet Jews may be stranded in the USSR at a time when anti-
Semitism has reached the danger level.
Ariel Sharon's
Shakedown
A
riel Sharon has thrown off the gloves and launched his campaign to
replace Yitzhak Shamir as head of the Likud Party and become Israel's
next prime minister. For those who thought Shamir was a hard-liner,
watch out.
Sharon submitted his resignation from the cabinet on Sunday, and his can-
didacy promises to further confuse and divide the Israeli electorate. He says
that Shamir is weak and indecisive and that Israel needs to be tougher with the
Arabs. In particular, Sharon advocates more force in putting down the intifada,
opposes Shamir's plan for elections in the occupied territories, and opposes any
form of talks with Palestine Liberation Organization supporters in the West
Bank, Gaza or abroad.
Sharon, a former general, is Israel's most controversial leader, with people
tending to either revere or despise him. Many people credit him with saving
Israel militarily during the Yom Kippur War of 1973; perhaps more blame him
for Israel's invasion of Lebanon in 1982.
The political fact is that Sharon's tough stance is admired by many Israelis,
and he is a force to be reckoned with within the Likud bloc. Some say that his
departure from the cabinet will free Shamir's hand to negotiate, but others sug-
gest that the prime minister may have to appear more decisive to ward off Sha-
ron's criticisms.
While many American Jews shudder at the prospect of Ariel Sharon as
prime minister of Israel, the fact is that his political fate will be determined in
the best possible manner: through a free and open democratic process.
6
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1990
I LETTERS
A 'Tough Cookie'
Was Missed
I was very disappointed by
The Jewish News feature
titled, "Tough Cookies" that
appeared in the Feb. 9 issue.
When I think of a woman who
creates recipes for success,
there's only one name that
comes to my mind, and that's
my mother, Sylvia Lee, who
not only makes kosher muf-
fins and cookies, but who also
makes kosher pies, breads,
tortes and cakes.
Maybe The Jewish News
prefers to highlight
"newcomers" to the business,
but it is much more difficult
to stay in business than it is
to get into it. My mother has
been in business for more
than six years, and she has
created a successful kosher
bakery as a result of her hard
work and her excellent
product.
If somebody deserves to be
patted on the back for her
baking quality and business
perseverance it's Sylvia Lee. I
am sorry that The Jewish
News failed to recognize the
leader of the pack.
Sandra Lee
Bloomfield Hills
Name Research
Was Appreciated
Thank you very much for
researching our names in
Betty Starkman's L'Chayim
column of Feb. 2.
We always look forward to
reading it.
Elsie Simkovitz
Southfield
Eagerman 'Baigels'
Eagerly Recalled
In mid-December, The
Jewish News had a report on
the town of Brookline, Mass.
I read it with great interest
because I am familiar with
the area.
I did find one error in the
article. It is not "Bagels by
Bagerman," rather it is
"Baigels by Eagerman."
Mr. Eagerman's bagels have
been a mainstay of the Jewish
community for many, many
years. When Eagerman's
bakery (bagels only) was on
Erie Street in Dorchester,
Mass., long years ago, the
Jewish population of Roxbury,
Dorchester and vicinity
would beat a path to his door
after sundown on Saturday
night during the winter
months to wait for hot, fresh-
baked bagels to come out of
the oven.
Ah, the aromas that used to
waft through those swinging
doors!
Mrs. Sheppard Werner
Natick, Mass.
Proper Enthusiasm
For Amy Bigman
Please allow me the oppor-
tunity of correcting a
misinterpretation which
some readers may find in
your recent story about stu-
dent rabbi Amy Bigman
("Traveling Preacher," Feb. 9).
There-is, of course, the in-
herent weakness in being
quoted in a newspaper when
emphasis, parenthesis and
context cannot be properly
conveyed. In re-reading the
account of my statements
about her choosing the rab-
binate, I note that your story
does not represent the excite-
ment and pride I feel. Any
rabbi whose student opts for
a similar life calling as he/she
is deeply gratified and
fulfilled.
My comments about Amy
pursuing a Hillel or chap-
laincy position were based on
a conversation she and I had