Elated emigres hail citizenship with American flags, apple pie

Red, white and blue balloons floated above every table, anchored by baskets filled with Hershey's kisses. Colorful tinsel garlanded the tables and American flags poked from vases filled with red and white carnations.

For 140 Jewish ex-Soviets, the patriotic symbols represented a goal some thought they would never reach -- U.S. citizenship. Gathering at San Francisco's Congregation Sherith Israel on Oct. 29, they marveled at a journey that had resulted in eventual triumph.

"I like San Francisco," said Sima Beylin at the event sponsored by the S.F.-based Jewish Family and Children's Services. Beylin, who emigrated from St. Petersburg in 1988 with her husband, Samuel, took the citizenship exam in English after attending special training at JFCS. She said she enjoyed learning about the Bill of Rights and American presidents.

"And I like the music of `The Star-Spangled Banner,'" she added.

The Beylins' daughter Maria, who emigrated four years after her parents, was there to celebrate with them. "America," she said, "can help my parents continue their life in health and feel themselves to be really Jewish."

For 84-year-old Alexander Brontman, San Francisco is "a beautiful town" full of "very fine people, who are ready to help us every day." Brontman and his wife Raisa moved to San Francisco from Kiev in 1992 and passed the citizenship exam on Oct. 15.

Meanwhile, 77-year-old Eva Tavera Dubowsky was so happy about her citizenship that she danced with gusto, waving her cane in the air. Dubowsky, who married a U.S. Air Force lieutenant and moved to New York City in 1948, spent 49 years in this country before becoming a citizen in June.

"I'm glad I'm an American," she said, and added with a wink, "I'm very good, you know -- I never smoke and never drink."

Addressing the crowd of new citizens, JFCS attorney Amy Joseph recalled the 1996 enactment of welfare reform legislation that had mobilized JFCS to begin naturalizing emigres.

"Through perseverance, we triumphed," said Joseph, referring to the political action that resulted in a reinstatement of welfare benefits for elderly and disabled immigrants. But even though citizenship was no longer a prerequisite for welfare recipients, she continued, it was a worthy end in itself.

"Now that you have moved from the voiceless to the ranks of the empowered," she said, "do not forsake others, immigrants and other disadvantaged persons who remain less fortunate than you."

The emigres agreed that JFCS had been invaluable in preparing them for citizenship. "I want to say a great `thank you' for our administration, to JFCS, for helping us to be American citizens," said Brontman, adding, "It was very difficult for us, you know."

As part of the celebration, the new citizens were also addressed by Sally Grady from the League of Women voters, who instructed them in voting procedures, and by San Francisco Supervisor Leslie Katz.

As the citizens prepared to eat apple pie à la mode and sing "America the Beautiful," Katz encouraged them to take part in the democratic process by calling her office when they have political concerns.