Famous Jews in History: Natan Sharansky (born 1948)

Natan Sharansky was born in the Soviet Union, where Jews were not free to live openly as Jews or to leave the country.

He became a leading voice for Soviet Jews who wanted to emigrate to Israel. For that, he was arrested by the KGB in 1977 and accused of treason.

Sharansky spent nine years in prison, including long periods in solitary confinement and forced labour.

He was repeatedly pressured to confess and to inform on others. To give up his identity. He refused.

During his time in prison, he relied on memory, playing chess games in his head, and a deep sense of his Judaism.

He later described how holding onto that identity gave him a sense of inner freedom, even when he had none externally.

In 1986, after international pressure, he was released in a prisoner exchange and finally allowed to leave for Israel.

In Israel, he went on to serve in government, advocating for the rights of immigrants and continuing to speak about freedom and democracy.

His story is a reminder that freedom is not only about where you are, but who you are, and what you refuse to give up, even when everything is taken from you.

Learn more: Jewish Virtual Library - Bibliography Natan (Anatoly) Sharansky