–after nine years in Soviet prison.
Natan Sharansky, Soviet Jewish dissident…born Anatoly Shcharansky, Jan 20, 1948 in Donetsk, Ukraine.
In the Soviet prison system 1977 through 1986…freed by the Soviets after massive ongoing for years worldwide Jewish protests (many spearheaded by his wife Avital) and a US Government swap for two Soviet spies… He later headed Israeli political party Israel BaAliyah, and held several Ministerial portfolios (2001–2005) in various Israeli governments.
Awarded both the (US) Congressional Gold Medal and the (US) Presidential Medal of Freedom…authored The Case for Democracy.
Headed Beth Hatefutsot, the innovative Jewish Diasporah Museum (opened 1978) located in Ramat Aviv, Israel (on the campus of Tel Aviv University) through the Jun 2008 cut–off point of this work.
[Would later become Chairman of the Executive of the Jewish Agency for Israel.]