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ReviewsThe Genius Under the Table: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain
by Eugene Yelchin
in: Biography Nonfiction
Standing Together: The Story of Natan Sharansky
Rule number one in Soviet Russia:
Never say what you really think.
Especially if you’re a Jew.
This is the story of one man who broke that rule.
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What the Book is About
Jewish Content & Values
Content Advisory
This biography of Natan Sharansky covers his entire life, from his youngest days as a Jewish boy growing up in the Soviet Union in the 1950’s to his rebellion against the repressive government, his imprisonment, and everything that came after. This is also the story of his wife Avital, who spent nine years traveling around the world, raising awareness of the plight of Soviet Jews and fighting for her husband’s freedom. This is an incredible tale of faith, resilience, and the power of fighting for what you believe in.
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Sharansky’s parents raised him to feel proud of his Judaism despite the danger of doing so in the Soviet Union.
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The Six-Day War inspired Sharansky to study Hebrew and Israeli history by reading Jewish books they secretly copied and shared.
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In 1973, Sharansky became a refusenik when the Soviet government refused his request to emigrate to Israel.
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Sharansky and his wife Avital were married by a rabbi in a Jewish ceremony.
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Sharansky relied on his faith in God and his goal of reaching the land of Israel to get through his hard times in prison.
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Jews around the world protested, wrote songs, and did whatever they could to raise awareness around the world about Sharansky and the plight of Soviet Jews.
There are age-appropriate references to antisemitism, torture, and Sharansky’s time in prison.
What the Book is About
This biography of Natan Sharansky covers his entire life, from his youngest days as a Jewish boy growing up in the Soviet Union in the 1950’s to his rebellion against the repressive government, his imprisonment, and everything that came after. This is also the story of his wife Avital, who spent nine years traveling around the world, raising awareness of the plight of Soviet Jews and fighting for her husband’s freedom. This is an incredible tale of faith, resilience, and the power of fighting for what you believe in.
Jewish Content & Values
-
Sharansky’s parents raised him to feel proud of his Judaism despite the danger of doing so in the Soviet Union.
-
The Six-Day War inspired Sharansky to study Hebrew and Israeli history by reading Jewish books they secretly copied and shared.
-
In 1973, Sharansky became a refusenik when the Soviet government refused his request to emigrate to Israel.
-
Sharansky and his wife Avital were married by a rabbi in a Jewish ceremony.
-
Sharansky relied on his faith in God and his goal of reaching the land of Israel to get through his hard times in prison.
-
Jews around the world protested, wrote songs, and did whatever they could to raise awareness around the world about Sharansky and the plight of Soviet Jews.
Content Advisory
There are age-appropriate references to antisemitism, torture, and Sharansky’s time in prison.
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