During a week of briefings and private receptions in Los Angeles, when Natan Sharansky spoke, our community listened. Whether it was to the leaders whose generous donations funded Operation Exodus in the early 90s, the adult children of the Russian Jews who were able to leave the former Soviet Union thanks to his efforts or the members of Beth Jacob Congregation, all who heard the Chairman of the Jewish Agency for Israel and leader of the Soviet Refusenik movement of the 1980s share his remarkable story were moved and inspired.
At a luncheon hosted by longtime Federation and community leaders Kharlene & Chuck Boxenbaum, Sharansky addressed an intimate gathering of those whose generous contributions were at the heart of the $50 million raised by our Federation for Operation Exodus from 1990-1992. Introduced by Richard Gunther, the General Chair of that community-wide campaign, Sharansky regaled the audience of philanthropic leaders with his perspective on the struggles of our past, the challenges of the future and the Jewish identity that connects us all to Israel.
As part of a moving Shabbat afternoon at Beth Jacob, in lively conversation with Federation President & CEO Jay Sanderson, Sharansky spoke at length on his feelings about Israel today. He shared how he is teaching his children and grandchildren the story of his activism, imprisonment and lifelong struggle for the Jewish people by holding a seder every year on the anniversary of his release from prison in the former Soviet Union. Sharansky served nine years after wrongfully being found guilty by the Soviet government for collaborating with the CIA.
At an evening organized by the participants of the inaugural class of our Federation’s Russian Jewish Community Leadership Program (RJCLP) and held at the home of Federation leaders Julie & Marc Platt, over 60 guests enjoyed a wine-and-cheese reception that included a presentation of RuJuLA by RJCLP alumna Polyna Berlin. RuJuLA is the Russian Jewish young adults network of greater Los Angeles. It is committed to fostering a vibrant, diverse and meaningful community; united by common identity and desire to connect, engage and to discover our common heritage. (Both RJCLP and RuJuLA are funded by Jewish Federation Los Angeles, Genesis Philanthropy Group and the Jewish Agency for Israel). RJCLP alumna Marina Rozhansky introduced Sharansky who was interviewed by Alex Grager and Viktoriya Kernes, the RJCLP inaugural class co-chairs who are continuing as leaders for the next cohort. Sharansky discussed his personal path to Judaism, touched upon important questions of Jewish identity and the future of the Russian-Jewish community in Israel and in the diaspora, took questions, and autographed copies of his latest book, Defending Identity. Sharansky spoke of his dual roles as the leader of both the Soviet Zionist and the human rights movements. “Nobody can really liberate others; they can only liberate themselves. I chose to be free the day I stopped being loyal to the Soviet regime,” said Sharansky.
Our Federation also partnered with Israeli Consul General David Siegel and the Jewish Agency for Israel to convene a group of community leaders and rabbis to meet with Sharansky. The group, consisting of leaders from the Orthodox, Conservative, Reconstructionist and Reform movements, discussed issues relating to Jewish pluralism in Israel and prayer at the Western Wall. Sharansky has been tasked by Prime Minister Netanyahu with crafting a compromise regarding the future of the prayer spaces at the Wall. After the session, the Rabbis crafted this open letter to the community about the issue.
With such an inspiring leader as Natan Sharansky at the helm of our partner, the Jewish Agency, we can be assured that his lifelong commitment to Jewish pride and the strength of Jewish community will be fulfilled in Israel and around the world.
