Festival of Installation

Photo and bio from genesisprize.org

Scholar-in-Residence Natan Sharansky

7pm
Distinguished Voices: An Inspiring Speaker Series on World Jewry Presented by Har Sinai-Oheb Shalom Congregation — A Special Presentation on World Jewry, Israel and the War in Ukraine

Natan Sharansky was born in 1948 in Donetzk, Ukraine. Mr. Sharansky graduated from the Physical Technical Institute in Moscow with a degree in computer science.  After graduating, he became active in the human rights movement led by Andrei Sahkharov and very quickly became internationally known as the spokesperson for the Helsinki movement.  At the same time he applied for an exit visa to Israel, which he was denied for "security reasons".  In 1977, a Soviet newspaper alleged that Mr. Sharansky was collaborating with the CIA.  Despite denials from every level of the U.S. Government, Mr. Sharansky was found guilty and sentenced to thirteen years in prison, including solitary confinement and hard labor.  In the courtroom prior to the announcement of his verdict, Mr. Sharansky in a public statement said: "To the court I have nothing to say – to my wife and the Jewish people I say "Next Year in Jerusalem".  After nine years of imprisonment, due to intense international pressure, Mr. Sharansky was released on February 11, 1986, emigrated to Israel, and arrived in Jerusalem on that very day.  Learn more about Natan Sharansky.

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We would like to share with you From Darkness to Light, a video which celebrates 25 years since Sharansky's liberation and his overall legacy fighting for democracy.

Photo and bio from genesisprize.org