Natan SharanskyEvery podcast appearance, updated as new ones drop

Host Aviva Klompas speaks with Natan Sharansky about one of the defining challenges facing democratic societies today: why the West often struggles to recognize and confront evil. Drawing on his experience as a Soviet dissident who spent nine years in prison, Sharansky reflects on how authoritarian regimes operate and why democratic societies frequently misunderstand them. The conversation explores why many in the West hesitate to clearly identify evil even when faced with terrorism, hostage-taking, and deliberate attacks on civilians. Sharansky discusses the dangers of moral equivalence, the erosion of moral clarity since the Cold War, and the recurring mistakes democratic societies make when confronting regimes that reject their values. He also reflects on the role fear can play within democracies themselves and whether, after a lifetime spent fighting for freedom, he remains optimistic about the future of free societies. Guest Bio Natan Sharansky is a Soviet-born Israeli human rights activist, former political prisoner, and leading voice on democracy and freedom. Born in Donetsk, Ukraine, Sharansky became a prominent spokesman for the Soviet Jewish and human rights movements and was imprisoned by the Soviet regime for nine years on fabricated charges of treason and espionage after seeking to immigrate to Israel. Following an international campaign for his release, he was freed in 1986 and immigrated to Israel the same day. Sharansky later served in several Israeli governments as a minister and deputy prime minister and went on to chair the Jewish Agency for Israel from 2009 to 2018. He is the recipient of both the U.S. Congressional Gold Medal and the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and in 2018 he was awarded the Israel Prize for his contributions to aliyah and the ingathering of exiles. Sharansky is also the author of several influential books on democracy, identity, and freedom, including The Case for Democracy and Never Alone .

What does it mean to live with conviction when the cost is prison, isolation, and the full weight of a totalitarian regime? On this episode of Don’t Know Much About , I have the profound honor of speaking with Natan Sharansky, former Soviet dissident, Prisoner of Zion, Israeli statesman, and one of the great moral voices of our time. Born in Donetsk in the former Soviet Union, Sharansky became a leading spokesman for the human rights movement and the struggle of Soviet Jews to immigrate to Israel. After applying to make aliyah, he was arrested on fabricated charges of treason and espionage and sentenced to years in the Gulag, including long stretches in brutal punishment cells. His eventual release in 1986, following international pressure from Israel, world Jewry, and leaders of the free world, became a defining moment in the history of the Cold War and the Jewish freedom movement. But Sharansky’s story did not end with freedom. In Israel, he went on to found political movements to help Soviet olim integrate into Israeli society, served in multiple Israeli governments, and became a global advocate for democracy, Jewish identity, and the fight against antisemitism. In our conversation, we go back to the beginning: What drew a young mathematician into the underground Zionist movement? What did it mean to organize Jews under a regime that criminalized Jewish nationalism? How did Soviet Jews, and even many non-Jews, understand with clarity that antizionism was simply another word for hostility to Jews, and why do Jews in America lack this clarity? We conclude by finding out who Natan Sharansky's heroes are. You don't want to miss this candid conversation. Clarifying the complex. Step into my classroom.

In this powerful episode of The Wilds Cast, we sit down with Natan Sharansky, a Soviet dissident, human rights activist, and former Israeli politician. Sharansky shares his harrowing experiences as a political prisoner in the Soviet Gulag, where he endured nine years of imprisonment, and his fight for Jewish freedom during the Cold War. We dive into: ✅ His extraordinary journey from Soviet oppression to Israeli leadership ✅ The refusenik movement and the struggle of Jews in the USSR ✅ How he survived years of solitary confinement with resilience and faith ✅ His political career in Israel, standing against disengagement from Gaza ✅ Modern antisemitism, the challenges faced by Jewish students, and his message to young Jews today ✅ His thoughts on Trump’s peace plan, Israel’s future, and the fight against Hamas Sharansky’s story of courage, conviction, and unwavering identity is a must-listen for anyone passionate about freedom, Jewish history, and human rights. 🔔 Subscribe & Share this episode with your friends! Website: jewishexperience.org Facebook: facebook.com/ManhattanJewishExperience/ Instagram: instagram.com/M_J_experience/

Human rights activist and former Israeli politician Natan Sharansky joins Jamie to talk about his letters to the late Alexei Navalny, the current political mood in Israel, and the spread of anti-Israel sentiment on college campuses. The Agenda: -Navalny's murder -The threat of left-wing antisemitism -The future of Israeli-U.S. relations -Comparing Joe Biden and Donald Trump and their administration's work with Israel -Pressure against Israeli politicians -The likelihood of Arab countries helping Gaza -Reflections on democracy and freedom Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Babel Undone - a podcast committed to helping Christians learn from each other, regardless of where in the world we're from. In the latest episode we hear from Natan Sharansky, a man, who for many needs no introduction. Primarily he is known as a writer and human rights activist. As a young man he was targetted by the KGB for speaking out on behalf of dissents of the Soviet Union later spending 9 years in prison for treason frequently experiencing periods of solitary confinement. After he was released he moved to Israel, becoming a politician for the Israeil government and is now Chairman of the Institute for the Study of Global Antisemitism and Policy. This podcast was recorded prior to the events of October 7th in which Israel was attacked by Hamas. Babel Undone is produced by Premier. For more podcasts which help Christians grow in their faith head to www.premier.plus/podcasts This podcast is created in partnership with the Good Shepherd Church of India. For more details head to www.gsi.org

Natan Sharansky is a remarkable figure whose life story embodies the triumph of the human spirit in the face of adversity. Born Anatoly Borisovich Shcharansky on January 20, 1948, in Donetsk, Ukraine (formerly part of the Soviet Union), he later changed his name to Natan Sharansky. Sharansky's journey began as a gifted mathematician and chess player, which led him to pursue a career in science. However, his life took an unexpected turn when he became deeply involved in the Soviet dissident movement during the 1970s, advocating for human rights and freedom of expression. In 1977, Sharansky was arrested by the KGB on fabricated charges of espionage and treason. He was subjected to intense interrogations and endured nine years of imprisonment, including long periods of solitary confinement. Despite the harsh conditions, Sharansky remained steadfast in his commitment to his beliefs, becoming an iconic symbol of resistance against Soviet oppression. Sharansky's plight gained international attention, and he became a cause célèbre for human rights organizations and activists around the world. His wife, Avital, spearheaded an international campaign advocating for his release, and their love story became a symbol of resilience and unwavering commitment. Finally, in 1986, after years of international pressure and negotiations, Sharansky was released as part of a high-profile prisoner exchange between the United States and the Soviet Union. His arrival in Israel marked the beginning of a new chapter in his life. In Israel, Sharansky became an influential political leader and advocate for democracy and human rights. He served as a Member of Knesset (the Israeli parliament) and held several ministerial positions, including Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and Trade. Sharansky's extraordinary journey from prisoner to statesman has made him a sought-after speaker and an inspiration to people from all walks of life. He has written several books, including his memoir "Fear No Evil," which chronicles his experiences and his unwavering commitment to freedom. Today, Natan Sharansky continues to be a passionate advocate for democracy, human rights, and the State of Israel. His unwavering belief in the power of the individual to effect change serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration for those who face oppression and injustice. On the Behind the Bima podcast, Natan Sharansky's life story and insights will undoubtedly captivate and inspire listeners, reminding them of the indomitable spirit that resides within each of us and the power of perseverance in the face of adversity. 00:00 - Intro 13:45 - Interview 1:09:12 - Outro

Moscow’s growing alliance with Tehran – which pursues a policy of annihilation versus the Jewish state – is prompting Israelis to re-evaluate their very cautious stance toward helping Ukraine. Given the large Jewish population in Russia and Israeli need to coordinate with Russian forces in Syria, how far can Jerusalem move toward Kyiv? What options does Vladimir Putin have to slow down this rapprochement? What potential role can Washington play? Natan Sharansky, a former Prisoner of Zion and leader for the right of Soviet Jews to immigrate to Israel, is chairman of the Shlihut Institute. He co-founded the Yisrael B'Aliyah party in 1996 to accelerate the integration of Russian Jews and served in four Israeli governments, including as minister and as deputy prime minister. He holds both a BA and an MA from the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology.

In this wide-ranging interview, Ellie Cohanim speaks with former Soviet refusenik, human-rights activist, Israeli politician and author Natan Sharansky. The two delve into what gave Natan Sharansky the strength to survive and fight during his imprisonment in the Soviet Union; his feelings about Israel, now having lived there for more than three decades; and how the Jewish world can fight the rise of anti-Semitism. They also talk about the Iranian threat; human rights on the international stage; his wife, Avital; and advice to the younger Jewish generation.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Natan Sharansky was born in Donetsk, Ukraine. He was a spokesman for the human rights movement, a Prisoner of Zion and leader in the struggle for the right of Soviet Jews to immigrate to Israel. Subsequent to his request to make aliya, Mr. Sharansky was arrested on trumped up charges of treason and espionage. He was convicted in a Soviet court and served nine years in the Gulag with many stretches in a punishing cell. Following massive public campaigns by the State of Israel, World Jewry and leaders of the free world, Mr. Sharansky was released in 1986, making aliya on the very day of his release. In his first few years in Israel, Mr. Sharansky established the Zionist Forum to assist Soviet olim in their absorption in Israel. In the 1990's, he established the Yisrael B'Aliyah party in order to accelerate the integration of Russian Jews. He served in four successive Israeli governments, as Minister and Deputy Prime Minister. In 2018 he received the highest Israeli award - the Israel Prize for promoting Aliyah and the ingathering of the exiles. Mr. Sharansky is the recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor in 1986 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2006. He is the only living non-American citizen who is the recipient of these two highest American awards. 2009-2018 Natan Sharansky served as Chairman of the Executive of the Jewish Agency for Israel. After retirement from the Jewish Agency, he continues to serve as Chairman of the Shlihut Institute, which he founded. In July 2019 Mr. Natan Sharansky became Chair of ISGAP (The Institute for the Study of Global Antisemitism and Policy). Mr. Sharansky is also the author of four books: - Fear No Evil - The Case for Democracy - Defending Identity - Never Alone: Prison, Politics and My People. ★ Support this podcast ★

ABOUT THIS EPISODE Natan Sharansky often jokes that while most politicians go from office to prison, he went from prison to office! A prisoner of zion, member of Knesset and then Jewish Agency head, Sharansky has been one of the most consequential world Jewish leaders. -------------------- ABOUT THIS PODCAST Jews You Should Know introduces the broader community to interesting and inspiring Jewish men and women making a difference in our world. Some are already famous, some not yet so. But each is a Jew You Should Know. The host, Rabbi Ari Koretzky, is Executive Director of MEOR Maryland ( www.meormd.org ), a premier Jewish outreach and educational organization. MEOR operates nationally on twenty campuses and in Manhattan; visit the national website at www.meor.org . Please visit www.JewsYouShouldKnow.com, follow us on Twitter @JewsUShouldKnow or on Facebook . Have feedback for the show, or suggestions for future guests? E-mail us at JewsYouShouldKnow@gmail.com . Want to support this podcast? Visit Patreon.com/JewsYouShouldKnow. A small monthly contribution goes a long way!! A special thank you to Jacob Rupp of the Lift Your Legacy podcast for his invaluable production assistance.