Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, June 5, 1990 TAG: 9006050365
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CODY LOWE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The Shapiro family, formerly of Kiev, and the Zelikovich family, formerly of Minsk, flew in to Roanoke and were whisked to their new, furnished apartments after being greeted in Russian and English by their American sponsors.
The families had spent most of the day in the air, beginning in Italy, where they have spent the past six months awaiting permission to emigrate to the United States. Their plane touched down at Roanoke Regional Airport precisely on time at 11:15 p.m. Monday.
Agnes Heller of the Roanoke Jewish Community Council memorized three phrases in Russian to greet the families. On behalf of the council, which sponsored the families, Heller welcomed the emigres and pledged that the council would do its best to make the families comfortable in their new homes.
About 50 people were on hand to greet the families with banners of welcome in Russian and English. The crowd included several volunteer translators, officers of the community council, Roanoke's two rabbis, high-school Russian students and others who just wanted to make the newcomers feel welcome.
"I am just choked with emotion at the thought of all they have been through to get here to this great country," said Dede Moss.
There were still a great many unknowns about the new residents Monday. Their names, ages and Soviet occupational categories were about the only concrete pieces of information available.
Dementy Shapiro, 30, is a photographer. His wife, Viktoriya, 26, is a dressmaker. They have a 4 1/2-year-old son, Vadim, who slept soundly on his father's broad shoulder through all the commotion of the greeting.
Viktoriya Shapiro spoke some English with the welcoming committee, but most of the conversation with the new arrivals was through the translators.
Stanislav Zelikovich, 40, is a bookkeeper. His wife, Lyubov, 37, is an industrial economist. They have two children: Mikhail, 13, and Margarita, 9.
Some students of Patrick Henry High School Russian teacher Natasha Petersen exchanged small talk with Lyubov Zelikovich as they waited for luggage to arrive on the airport carousel. The children stood back quietly, appearing numb from the long day of travel.
In an interview before the Soviets' arrival, Heller said she wanted to "stress that the community has been incredibly responsive to our needs."
Through a combination of business and individual support, the two families are moving into two-bedroom Grandin Village apartments, replete with an array of household furnishings and food.
Heller said members of the community council, accompanied by one of a half-dozen or so volunteer interpreters, plan to meet with the families today to discuss their immediate needs.
The sponsors have prepared a booklet to tell the families what the community has done for them so far, what they can expect from the community and what it will expect from them. The sponsors have also prepared a list of contact people for specific needs.
Jewish Community Council spokeswoman Ann Penn said at least 14 people have received training from the Roanoke Refugee Resettlement office to assist the new residents. About 20 health professionals have agreed to provide initial medical screenings.
Having services donated is important because the Shapiros and Zelikoviches will not be eligible for government assistance, such as Medicaid or food stamps, for a year.
The United States agreed to allow the resettlement of 40,000 Soviet Jews this year, but only 32,000 will be eligible for government aid. The others, who do not have friends or relatives in the United States, had to obtain sponsors who would agree to provide for them. The Jewish council will be responsible for providing whatever assistance is needed for the two families.
After a year, the immigrants may apply for resident alien status and will be eligible for government social services.
Heller said members of the council will be eager to assess the families' English-language skills and their potential for employment soon after they get settled in.
She said the council has already been contacted by a few people interested in the possibility of hiring one or more of the immigrants.
by CNB