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Jerusalem - Ex-Soviet Dissident Elected Jewish Agency Chief |
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Jun 25, 2009 at 08:48 AM
News Source: AP
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Natan Sharansky
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The Jewish Agency says it elected Natan Sharansky as chairman on Thursday.
Ukrainian-born Sharansky was sentenced to 13 years in a Soviet Gulag in 1978, after applying for an exit visa to Israel.
His plight made him a symbol of Jewish political prisoners in the Soviet Union who were persecuted and banned from leaving for Israel.
Sharansky was freed in 1986 as part of an East-West prisoner exchange.
He moved to Israel, where he founded a political party in 1995 focusing on immigration. He served as a minister and deputy prime minister between 1996 and 2005, and resigned in 2006.
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Read Comments (12) — Post Yours »
1
Jun 25, 2009 at 09:21 AM Anonymous Says:
Besides spent sometime in Russian jail (for worthy causes) he did not accomplish anything!
2
Jun 25, 2009 at 10:10 AM Dov Says:
“ Besides spent sometime in Russian jail (for worthy causes) he did not accomplish anything! ”
Nothing.?He is one of the most important Jews in the world. His protests helped lead to the Jewish exodus from Russia saving hundreds of thousands of yiddishe neshomos. What have YOU done?
3
Jun 25, 2009 at 10:31 AM Kogan Says:
Didn't he resign over the Gaza disengagement?
4
Jun 25, 2009 at 11:00 AM David Says:
He is a voice of morality for those who suffer, Jewish and non Jewish, he was instrumental in the Ethiopian Airlift to Israel and has always emphasized his Jewish faith.
5
Jun 25, 2009 at 11:06 AM Eli Says:
“ Nothing.?He is one of the most important Jews in the world. His protests helped lead to the Jewish exodus from Russia saving hundreds of thousands of yiddishe neshomos. What have YOU done? ”
Plus Bush made everyone in his administration read Sharansky's book on Democracy.
6
Jun 25, 2009 at 11:11 AM Shmuel Says:
“ Besides spent sometime in Russian jail (for worthy causes) he did not accomplish anything! ”
tell me one thing that you accomplished mr annonymous...(if anything)
7
Jun 25, 2009 at 12:04 PM Anonymous Says:
“ Besides spent sometime in Russian jail (for worthy causes) he did not accomplish anything! ”
Not really. He was and is more of a symbol than anything. This is a near- meaningless appointment but at least he is a man of decency and he will not disgrace the post.
8
Jun 25, 2009 at 11:35 AM Anonymous Says:
“ tell me one thing that you accomplished mr annonymous...(if anything) ”
Honestly also not much, but I am not running for a big positions!
9
Jun 25, 2009 at 12:41 PM esther Says:
i remember when he came to the kosel for the first time.thousands were singing and dancing and they caried sharansky on their shoulders from where he reached out and touched the kosel.it was incredibly moving.
10
Jun 25, 2009 at 12:52 PM Mazal Tov Says:
Mazal tov and hatzlucha rabah to Natan Sharansky. I have the greatest respect for him and his work over the decades. I remember his efforts to free Soviet Yidden impisoned by the ruthless communists. I supported his efforts to democratize the Kenesset itself !!! He is a man of yashrus. Had he gone to Yeshiva he would have been a Gadol B'Torah.
11
Jun 25, 2009 at 01:33 PM Anonymous Says:
I agree with you, he is more of a symbol (not too much popular among Russian Jews so). Yes, he is honest and therefore not a good politician, he should not take this position, as it requires to bend accordingly! My prediction - he will resign in a year or two, so why bother?
12
Jun 25, 2009 at 04:31 PM Askupeh Says:
I’ve always had a soft spot in my heart for Noson Sharanky and have followed his path from when he was still in Russia. What impresses me most about him is his DECENCY. In Russia he married his wife Avital while they were still both non religious. Then when he left Russia his wife became religious and a different person then the one he knew. Nevertheless after being freed on that famous exchange on the Glienicke Bridge in Berlin in 1986 and he became an international figure, he didn’t follow his hearts desire and marry another woman, where he could’ve had his pick; although he and his wife had now very little in common. But as a decent person and out of Hakoras Hatov for the Mesiras Nefesh his wife Avital showed in fighting bravely for his freedom, he put everything aside and accommodated her religiosity to the best of his ability. That’s what makes him a decent person and a cut above the rest.
I remember him being interviewed a few years ago by Zev Brenner and he was questioned on this.