Edward A. Stern photograph collection of Soviet Jewish refusenik scientists, 1970-1983

Photographs of Russian Jewish scientists who were "refused" exit visas to emigrate to Israel and became known as refuseniks. Once these scientists applied for exit visas, the refuseniks were treated as enemies of the state: they were dismissed or demoted from their scientific positions, lost their homes, and were continually ostracized, followed and bullied by the secret police.

On June 10, 1973, seven refusenik scientists went on a 15 day hunger strike to raise international awareness of their plight. Among those on the hunger strike were Mark Ya. Azbel, Moishe Gitterman, Alexander Voronel and Victor Brailovsky whose photographs are included in this collection.

When the hunger strike began, Stern established contact with these scientists and became a conduit for information of their plight. He publicized their situation through newspaper articles, worked with professional associations and politicians, including Senator Henry "Scoop" Jackson who sponsored the Jackson-Vanik Amendment to the Trade Reform Act (passed in 1974) which asked for freedom of emigration for Soviet citizens.

Stern passionately worked to support and help these refuseniks and the scores of letters he wrote to professional associations, scholars and politicians, along with a wealth of documents can be found in his papers (Edward A. Stern Papers, Accession No. 5002-003).