OPINION
14 The Jewish Voice & Herald
MARCH 29, 2013
www.jvhri.org
The sad saga of Yuri Dorn
The concept of ‘let my people go’ has modern-day resonance By David Davies
Special to The Voice & Herald
I
n this Passover season, I want to share a story of captivity and injustice that was part of our Seder and came to my attention in the last few weeks. In April 2011, we went to Belarus to visit my wife’s mother’s town and Holocaust site, Gansevichy, about two hours southwest of Minsk. As it happened, we were the first Jews to return to what had been a large and vibrant Jewish community before the war. After checking references and doing our preliminary due diligence, we put ourselves in the hands of Yuri Dorn and his organization, the Jewish Heritage Research Group, in Minsk. We couldn’t have done better. Every aspect of the trip was handled with scrupulous honesty, professionalism, warmth and insight. Our reception at Minsk’s small Orthodox synagogue for Shabbat services was full of smiles and helpful suggestions
in Hebrew. A Shabbat dinner followed in the newly renovated synagogue complex and, as the food came to the table, Yuri smiled and said to my wife, “Now you will go back to your mother’s table.” And he was correct. Yuri shared some of his life and key decisions. Staying in Belarus and helping build a Jewish community was his calling. At various times growing up, he was warned that taking an interest in Jewish customs and religion was dangerous and would hurt his career and prospects in general. It did, but he persisted. He found ways around the system. As I write this, Yuri is in prison and has been for over a year. We didn’t know. We went through, “What is this all about?” and “How could this be true?” It didn’t make any sense. A few days ago, the Belarus authorities dropped the most serious charges, but are keeping him locked up because, in 2001 (that’s right, 12 years ago), he helped the community dis-
online comments:
mantle and ship a dilapidated, yet historic, Jewish house to the homeowner’s descendants in the U.S.
“But the Yuri we met persists, patiently and deliberately, and so the imprisonment continues.” It would appear that charge will evaporate as well, as soon as the state feels it has made its point or Yuri agrees to strike a deal at the expense of his organization and its property. But
the Yuri we met persists, patiently and deliberately, and so the imprisonment continues. I found out about Yuri’s troubles through a posting on a Belarus genealogical listserve to which I subscribe; I have communicated with other subscribers about Yuri’s situation. They have the same high regard for his integrity. His wife and children live in Ohio, and Yuri commuted several times a year between Minsk and Cleveland. It’s not an ideal family arrangement, but Yuri found that rebuilding Judaism in Belarus drew him away from Ohio. His wife Irina is now commuting to Minsk to organize attorneys and manage court appearances. We communicated by email recently, and she’s hopeful that he will be freed soon, but is appreciative of any support coming their way. Last year, she put up a fundraising website, freeyury.com (spelling is correct), that explains some of the details. With this background, it’s not
hard to understand what is happening and what is really at issue. Certain media outlets picked up the story back in 2012, including the Jerusalem Post; sadly, jpost.com used a visual of someone counting out U.S. dollars to prejudice their readers against the leader of the small and struggling Jewish community in Belarus. The state dropped that charge of bribery. We spent time with Yuri, his employees and fellow congregants, and I am a reasonably good judge of character. Those we encouraged were just good people. I am very grateful that their dedication made our emotionally difficult journey the best it could have be for us. And yes, we’re contributing to the legal fund, because it’s personal. But if in the Passover season you want a more up-to-date example for “let my people go,” perhaps you could think of Yuri and Irina. DAVID DAVIES (rhode.bud@ cox.net) lives in Barrington.
LETTERS
Re: “Rabbinic views diverge on issue of same-sex marriage” in the March 15 issue: “Thank you for standing for the biblical view of marriage. I grieve for those who call evil good and good evil. As a Baptist minister, I stand with you in opposition and pray for the peace of Jerusalem.” Ernie Robillard Re: “A tongue-in-cheek approach to surviving a Seder” in the March 15 issue: “I thought this article was hysterical! I really enjoyed it and sent copies to my sisters.” Edith Morin Re: “A dog’s tale” in the March 1 issue: “Betty, you are a wise girl bearing a positive message. Hang tough!” Tyler Lewis Alison Stern-Perez’ column, which was scheduled to
“I couldn’t agree with you more! Nothing more disturbing to me is someone walking their dog in front of my house, leaving a ‘present’ then walking away! Maddening! Thank you for this wonderful perspective on the ‘Poop Pickup Problem!’” Wendy Mulligan “Hi Betty, Barney Beagle and I agree with you 100 percent. We always pick up after every poop. We carry plastic bags from the grocery store or if we want to be really fancy we go to Christmas Tree Shops and buy six rolls of doggy poop bags for about five bucks. We feel good about picking up our poop; it helps the environment and respects our neighbors. Thanks again, Betty, for bringing up this important issue.” Joe Denhoff
run in this issue, will appear in the April 12 issue.
Errata
We were both outraged and embarrassed by “Rabbinic views diverge on issue on samesex marriage” [an opinion piece] in the March 15 edition. We Jews have faced centuries of discrimination and are supposed to be the light for the world.
To think that a group of men who have spent countless years studying Torah would advocate discrimination is appalling. Sexual orientation is not a choice. God has created us all and we are all entitled to the same rights, and we are all en-
titled to love and marry whomever we chose. We are heartbroken that these rabbis choose intolerance over acceptance. Louise and Bob Zuckerman Providence
An attack on Iran would be disastrous
The last two issues of The Voice & Herald (“What’s missing from this year’s AIPAC conference?” and “Will Obama’s planned Israel visit revive Israel-Palestinian peacemaking?”) had troubling indications that powerful voices are promoting war against Iran. First, the AIPAC conference report noted resolutions calling for U.S. support for “military action against Iran’s suspected nuclear weapon program.” Also, in the story about Obama’s upcoming trip to Israel, an unnamed “Jewish lead-
er,” meeting with President Obama before his trip, “entreated” him to take a harder line against Iran. As I see it, everyone assumes that a nuclear-armed Iran is unacceptable, without explaining why this cannot be managed as it was during the Cold War, or even today with India and Pakistan. It is not plausible that Iran is suicidal, and any attack on Israel would also risk about 1 million Arabs and the Muslim holy sites, another deterrent. While nuclear proliferation is abhorrent, any attack on
Iran is likely to be a disaster for everyone in the region, not the least of which the Israelis. As Shai Bazak, Israel’s consul general, reported, when recently visiting Providence, Israelis already face 65,000 rockets in the hands of Iran’s allies. I believe most Americans are already sick of Middle East wars, and will not look kindly if an attack on Iran disrupts our economy and drives up the cost of driving. This includes most of the folks in our own community! Barry Schiller North Providence
A dog’s perpective is ‘doggone good’
I just read “A dog’s tale” (by ‘Betty’ Norman and published in the March 1 issue; Betty is one of Arthur C. Norman’s two canine companions). Funny and honest … AND more
In the March 15 issue, Nancy Abeshaus’ story, “Celebrating Sarah Mack …” stated that Wendy Joering has been a resident of Rhode Island for five years. In fact, Joering has lived in Rhode Island for 12 years. The photograph identified as Jordan’s King Abdullah in the March 15 issue was incorrect. At right is the correct photo of King Abdullah of Jordan.
Why did rabbis choose intolerance over acceptance?
importantly … very true! Betty’s perspective was just what I needed on this beautiful Sunday morning! You should give her a column to write about other things
from a dog’s perspective … Thank you! Wendy Mulligan North Attleboro, Mass.
Ricklin wonders about the Exodus
King Abdullah of Jordan
There are many anomalies in Exodus to wonder about. I wonder where 600,000 poor enslaved people found enough
first-year male lambs without blemish to mark their doors so that they would be passed over from the killing
of Egypt’s first-born? Saul Ricklin Bristol