Release of Shcharansky

Your coverage of Anatoly Shcharansky’s release by the Soviets has been reported in a most thorough and objective manner.

People of good will throughout the world, regardless of nationality, color or creed should rejoice on the release of this Soviet prisoner of conscience. I don’t exactly regard the Soviet Union as Shcharansky’s staunchest friend. And you can consider this an understatement! His only crime was the dream to live in a free and open society where he, as a Jew, could openly practice his religious beliefs. This is the prime basis upon which our own country, the United States of America, was founded.

Shcharansky is a hero to people everywhere. To those who know of his battle against tyranny, he serves as a symbol for all who still thirst to breathe the air of freedom. Shcharansky is a hero in his own way--a hero because he has remained a Jew. The place where he came from; it takes a lot of heroism to remain a Jew.

Since October, 1968, only 266,736 Soviet Jews have been allowed to emigrate from the Soviet Union. There are hundreds of thousands of Jews and members of other minority groups still awaiting their freedom.

Nearly 18 years have passed since the first breakthrough. During the entire calendar year 1985, only 1,140 Jews were allowed to leave. In January, 1986, a small trickle, only 79 to be exact, were allowed to emigrate. Let Shcharansky’s release be only the beginning of a new hope for the others who strive for freedom in a land of liberty where democracy rules and where they can live as free men (or women) in an open society. Shcharansky has dropped the Russian name, Anatoly and has adopted the Hebrew name Natan, which means “gift of God.”

It truly is a miracle and in response, we must raise our combined voices in support of the universal plea for freedom to which each of us must give our sacred pledge. The late David Ben Gurion, Israel’s founding prime minister, said: “Time works for you or against you, depending on how you use it.” Let’s make it work for us.

If only politicians would allow themselves to feel, as well as to think, the world might be a happier place.

Shalom, Natan, welcome home!

GERALD C. LASENSKY

Irvine