Washington Jewish Week - 04.11.2002

(Read NCSJ Testimony)

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Washington Jewish Week

Around the Beltway

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Graduating from Jackson-Vanik

NCSJ: Advocates on behalf of Jews in Russia, Ukraine, the Baltic States & Eurasia chair Harold Paul Luks was scheduled to testify on Thursday in front of the House Ways and Means Committee's trade subcommittee in favor of a bill that would "graduate" Russia from the Jackson-Vanik Amendment and establish permanent normal trade relations between the U.S. and Russia.      

NCSJ Chair Harold Paul Luks

Luks was to emphasize in his testimony that the legislation must ensure that Russia provide an unrestricted right to emigration and freedom of religion, among other requirements, for its citizens. "NCSJ and our member organizations are working to inspire a Jewish revival," according to Luks' testimony. "Congress can help to secure their future by articulating a clear United States policy that they should have the freedom to choose their faith and culture." . . .