Letters to the Editor

Feeling the Yeast

To the Editors:

Thank you very much for the great article “The Yeast of Russia” in your April issue. It is amazing how true this article describes feelings of the Russian Jew. Deep in my heart I feel that “Judaism is mine” too. I think I had this feeling, since I was able to understand that, somehow, I was very much different from the people who spoke Russian as I did, but were not born as Jews. I was born as a Jew. I did not quite understand the meaning of it, but I knew very well that it was a big courage to be one.

For me it is a miracle that hundreds and thousands of Jews like me, regardless all limits, survived and finally came to the practicing of Judaism without even stable knowledge of history or language.

We were always trying to get together because there was nobody to help us but us. I think at that point we were rather political groups fighting for their right to exist than religious people, even though the place we were getting together was a synagogue.

I was reading your article and for the first time in my life I did not just read about Jews in Russia, it was about me.

Sincerely,

Olga Faynshteyn

More on NATO

To the Editors:

With reference to comments by Paul Matusewicz on “Bears and Eagles” (RL, April 1997) I would like him to consider the following facts:

1. The proposal to unite with Russia came from Belarus, and Russia did not plan to ‘incorporate’ Belarus.

2. Belorussia and Russia had been as one country for centuries. What is wrong if they want to continue being one country? NATO is afraid of a strong Russia again?

3. Russia and the neighbouring countries and territories were existing as one country for centuries.

So, who has a more vital interest in Russia’s neighborhood — Russia or NATO? NATO (U.S. is the main player) has bases in Turkey (with nuclear weapons, probably). And now NATO wants to come even closer.

It is interesting to mention that the U.S. has permitted itself to have ‘vital interests’ in Korea, Taiwan, Nicaragua, Cuba, Grenada, Panama, Middle East, Japan etc. and Russia is forbidden even to consider any interests around its neighborhood!! Maybe Russia should declare that the whole of Europe is Russia’s vital interest because of common border!

As Mr M. Gorbachev said recently, ‘if NATO wants security for Europe, why not sign a treaty directly between NATO and Russia and the whole problem is solved.’

Vladimir Sidorenko

Montreal, Canada