Natan Sharansky Visits 天美传媒视频
天美传媒视频 had the profound privilege of welcoming Soviet dissident, former prisoner, and humanitarian rights leader Natan Sharansky, his daughter, author and educator Rachel Sharansky Danziger, and community leader, activist and author Rabbi Avi Weiss for inspiring programs with students, faculty, and staff.
The visit was part of 天美传媒视频鈥檚 Anniversary Dinner celebration, which marked two significant milestones, 57 years of transformative Jewish education and 40 years since Sharansky鈥檚 release, underscoring the theme that one generation鈥檚 courage becomes the next generation鈥檚 responsibility.
Students gathered 鈥淥n the Steps鈥 to welcome Sharansky and Danziger. The program featured Tehillim, poetry, and song, including a rendition of the Shema in Russian, which students had learned in advance to sing alongside Mr. Sharansky. First-grade Ivrit teacher Morah Sonia Levin shared moving reflections on her experiences growing up in the former Soviet Union and the freedoms she values today, providing a deeply personal connection to the history the students were learning. We came together arm in arm in Acheinu and Hatikvah for a very special moment.
In the weeks leading up to this historic visit, Rabbi Weiss and Rachel Sharansky Danziger each met with faculty and staff to provide context and guidance. Students studied Sharansky鈥檚 life, his courage, and his profound impact on Soviet Jewry and Jewish continuity worldwide.
Each class identified five words that resonated most with them, highlighting lessons of perseverance, strength, leadership, and moral courage. Students presented Mr. Sharansky with a laser-etched Jewish star engraved at 天美传媒视频 with these meaningful words. As a small token of hakarat hatov, Sharansky was also presented with a fun chess set with customized pieces representing himself, Menachem Begin, and 天美传媒视频 alumni chayalim.
Watch this special program here: bit.ly/NatanSteps
