Natan Sharansky is a Soviet-born Israeli politician, human rights activist and former political prisoner who became one of the world’s most prominent voices for freedom and democracy.

A refusenik in the Soviet Union, Sharansky was arrested in 1977 and sentenced to 13 years in prison for alleged espionage after campaigning for the right of Soviet Jews to emigrate to Israel. He spent years in Soviet prisons and labour camps before being released in a 1986 prisoner exchange.

After arriving in Israel, he entered politics, served as a government minister and became Chairman of the Jewish Agency.

His story is one of courage, resilience and the belief that freedom is worth fighting for — making him an important figure in both Jewish history and the global human rights movement.

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🎙️ Shabbos Kestenbaum joins Tanya on the Highly Jewish Podcast

Shabbos Kestenbaum is one of the most recognisable young voices in Jewish activism today. In this episode of Highly Jewish, he joins Tanya for an honest and wide-ranging conversation about Jewish identity, antisemitism, campus activism, Israel, standing up for what you believe in and what it means to be proudly Jewish in today’s world.

They discuss Shabbos’ journey, the experiences that shaped his activism, the backlash that comes with speaking out, and why he believes the Jewish community needs more people willing to use their voices.

It's an open, candid and at times challenging conversation about being Highly Jewish in a world where being visibly Jewish can feel more complicated than ever.

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Eve Barlow rose to prominence as a celebrated music journalist, writing for some of the world's most prestigious magazines and championing progressive causes.

Between 2009-2012, Eve edited some of the biggest entertainment magazines in the UK including Q Magazine, MOJO, Empire, FHM, and Kerrang! In 2012, Eve was invited to become the Deputy Editor of the NME, then the biggest weekly print music title in Europe.

As an antisemitism and social justice warrior, Eve is a prominent figure in media outlets today, promoting equality, inclusivity and a push for a non-bias media.

She joined Tanya in the latest episode of Highly Jewish where nothing was off the table!

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