1977-1978

Every individual reacts differently to a change in environment3 in discipline3
in intensity and content of an academic program. Some view the OYP in Israel as a
fresh experience3 as the opportunity to begin again in a more preferable environment.
f>ome view it as a temporary escape from home3 with the inevitable return always
looming in the background. Yet3 whatever one rs personal orientation may be to this
"year away from home"3 it is important not to lose that more general perspective.
Whatever we left behind us3 whether by choice or involuntarily3 we realized that
we could not leave behind certain broader responsibilities that we have carried all of
our lives. One responsibility in particular— that of our role in the larger3 world
Jewish community— will be with us always3 wherever we go. That is why several OYP
students grouped together this year to form the Hebrew University branch of Student
Struggle for Soviet Jewry. Our purpose was mainly one of dispersing information; we
found3 to our surprise3 that the majority of the student community at Hebrew University
was not well informed of the gravity of the Soviet Jewish situation— and that most were
eager to do something to help3 but had never had the chance. We set up tables on the
Givat Ram campus every Thursday with letters3 postcards3 and information about individuals
personally known to students. Many participated in several organized demonstrations
at the Wall for individual Soviet Jews.
One of the most exciting results of our participation in the Soviet Jewry movement
here was the opportunity we received to meet the very people whose freedom we had fought
for in our activist days in the United States— men and women whose courage and dedication
to the freedom and unification of world Jewry in Israel was tremenously inspiring
to us3 strengthening our belief in the necessity of our struggle. We also realized how
many of our fellow students at Hebrew University have close relatives and friends
awaiting permission to come to Israel— and suddenly the repression of Soviet Jewry
became a very personal issue to us.
We have regrets; we had many ideas that were never brought into being. One
(unfortunately) unfull filled goal of ours was to create greater social contact between
ourselves (the OYP) and the Russian students3 so that we could work together with the
Israeli organizations3 and we regret that we didn't have the time or means to achieve
this goal. Of course; we were limited in that3 as usual3 there was a lack of sufficient
help and dedication on the part of the other students. We also realized that we had
the problem of not knowing Israeli society well enough to gauge the reception of our
activities properly. Despite endless hours wasted arguing over tactics and planning3
we are all returning with even stronger feelings for the worsening plight of Soviet
Jewry3 and an enriched dedication to the struggle for their freedom. Undoubtedly we
will all meet at the usual big city rallies next year; and we will also tell others
of our experiences this year3 and bring others to our "cause"— the fate of World Jewry.
And3 God willing3 someday all of us— those who fight for the freedom of the Prisoners
of Zion as well as the Prisoners of Zion themselves— will meet together in Israel—
for good.
Debbie Herman & Beth Huppin
To strive for pure Knowledge for its own sake3 for an almost fanatical love of justice
to desire personal independence— these are traditional themes of the Jewish people;
and thanks to a privilege of destiny3 I am indebted to these for my consciousness of
belonging to this people . . .
Albert Einstein