Funk Family Upstander Speaker Series: Natan Sharansky

Natan Sharansky is a renowned human rights activist, former Soviet dissident, and Israeli statesman. Imprisoned for nine years in the Soviet Gulag for his advocacy for the right of Soviet Jews to immigrate to Israel, he became a symbol of resistance to oppression. Released in 1986 following an international campaign for his freedom, Sharansky immediately immigrated to Israel and worked to accelerate the integration of Russian Jews, founding the Zionist Forum, and establishing the Yisrael B’Aliyah party. He served in four governments as minister and deputy prime minister. He has received numerous honors, including the Israel Prize, the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom, and the U.S. Congressional Medal of Honor. Sharansky served as chairman of the executive of The Jewish Agency for Israel, now chairs ISGAP (The Institute for the Study of Global Antisemitism & Policy), and is the author of four books. He continues to champion the right to freedom for people around the world.