Abstract
What seemed like an important step forward towards freedom of movement and opinion for Jewish scholars, scientists and writers in the Soviet Union occurred earlier this year when the emigration tax was ‘frozen’ in response to world public opinion. Observers were quick to note, however, that this action was taken as a direct result of pressure by the US Congress and shortly before Mr Brezhnev's official visit to the USA. Subsequently, a group of 102 Jews from different cities of the Soviet Union wrote to Congress to explain how even without the tax they were being denied their basic freedoms.