אור ואמץ AWARD
Natan Sharansky was born in 1948 in Donetzk, Ukraine. Mr. Sharansky graduated from the Physical Technical Institute in Moscow with a degree in computer science. After graduating, he became active in the human rights movement led by Andrei Sahkharov and very quickly became internationally known as the spokesperson for the Helsinki movement. At the same time he applied for an exit visa to Israel, which he was denied for "security reasons". In 1977, a Soviet newspaper alleged that Mr. Sharansky was collaborating with the CIA. Despite denials from every level of the U.S. Government, Mr. Sharansky was found guilty and sentenced to thirteen years in prison, including solitary confinement and hard labor. In the courtroom prior to the announcement of his verdict, Mr. Sharansky in a public statement said: "To the court I have nothing to say – to my wife and the Jewish people I say "Next Year in Jerusalem". After nine years of imprisonment, due to intense international pressure, Mr. Sharansky was released on February 11, 1986, emigrated to Israel, and arrived in Jerusalem on that very day.
Upon his arrival to Israel he became active in the integration of Soviet Jews and formed the Zionist Forum, an umbrella organization of former Soviet activist groups dedicated to helping new Israelis and educating the public about absorption issues. The final chapter of the historic struggle for the release of Soviet Jews was the historic rally of over 250,000 in 1987 during Gorbachev's first visit in Washington of which Natan Sharansky was the initiator and driving force. In early 1994, he co-founded Peace Watch - an independent non-partisan group committed to monitoring the compliance to agreements signed by Israel and the PLO. From 1990 to 1996 Mr. Sharansky served as Associate Editor of "The Jerusalem Report". In 1996, ten years after arriving in Israel, Natan Sharansky founded the political party Yisral B’Aliya which means both “Israel on the Rise” and “Israel for Immigration". The party was established to accelerate the absorption of the massive numbers of Russian immigrants into Israeli society and to maximize their contribution.
From 1996-2005 Natan Sharansky served as Minister, as well as Deputy Prime Minister in all of the successive governments. In November 2006 Natan Sharansky resigned from the Israeli Knesset and assumed the position of Chairman of the newly established Adelson Institute for Strategic Studies of the Shalem Center in Jerusalem.
Natan Sharansky was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in 1986 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2006. He has continued to lead human rights efforts both through his writings as well as public activities since his release.
His memoir, Fear No Evil, was published in the United States in 1988 and has been translated into nine languages. His book, The Case for Democracy: The Power of Freedom to Overcome Freedom and Terror (2006) attracted wide-spread attention. Defending Identity, Its Indispensable Role in Protecting Democracy published by Public Affairs was released early June 2008. His latest book Never Alone: Prison, Politics, and My People was published in 2020.
In June 2009, Natan Sharansky was appointed Chairman of the Executive of the Jewish Agency for Israel. Natan concluded his post at the Jewish Agency in July 2018.
On December 10, 2019, The Genesis Prize Foundation announced Natan Sharansky as the 2020 recipient of the Genesis Prize. In choosing Sharansky from a list of 250 nominees, the Selection Committee noted his extraordinary lifelong struggle for political and religious freedoms, emphasizing the relevance of his work in today’s world. Natan chose to forgo the $1 million award that accompanies the Genesis Prize and directed the funds to helping the most vulnerable populations in Israel and around the world respond to the COVID pandemic.
Mr. Sharansky is married to Avital. They reside in Jerusalem and have two daughters, Rachel and Hanna.
Alex and Diana Tsigutkin are dedicated supporters of Jewish life, education, and community engagement. Their family’s commitment is reflected in Alex’s leadership as President of The Altneu, a vibrant and growing Manhattan-based Jewish community focused on deepening cultural, religious, and spiritual connections.
Together, they champion initiatives that strengthen Torah values and promote meaningful Jewish education. They are actively involved in supporting a range of causes in Israel and around the world, including humanitarian efforts in war-torn Ukraine.
An entrepreneur and investor, Alex brings more than 30 years of experience on Wall Street. Born in Mariupol, Ukraine, he immigrated to the United States in 1980 and later earned degrees in software engineering from Yeshiva University and New York University.
Diana, born in Riga, Latvia, came to the United States in 1991 and is a graduate of FIT. She is deeply devoted to her family, playing a central role in nurturing their home life and the Altneu community. A trusted partner in her husband’s professional journey, she has contributed meaningfully to the growth of their business. With a refined eye and a lifelong passion for art and design, Diana brings creativity, insight, and grace to everything she undertakes.
The Tsigutkins have been part of the SAR community since 2009. Their sons, Jeremy and Ruben, are proud SAR graduates, and their youngest, Matthew, is currently a senior.
For 28 years, Shoshi Radinsky has brought dedication, compassion, deep understanding, and a profound knowledge and love of Torah and Israel to every day at SAR Academy. In the classroom, she is intuitively responsive to each child, building foundational skills while challenging their thinking and helping them grow as capable, confident learners.
Shoshi is a versatile teacher who differentiates for all learners, engages critical thinking at every level, and manages her classroom with skill, care, and calm. She teaches in an organized and thoughtful manner that encourages students to step up and reach their potential, ensuring that every child progresses academically and emotionally while discovering their voice and abilities. Shoshi’s deep commitment to the social and emotional growth of her students sets her apart, with a remarkable gift for nurturing those who need extra care and support.
Shoshi’s influence extends beyond her classroom, having taught multi-level and Pisgah Chumash groups, Gemara in the Middle School, and continually updating curricula in Ivrit and Tanach to provide meaningful, engaging learning experiences. Her organizational skills, work ethic, dependability and steadfast guidance are invaluable assets to our school. She is a generous and deeply respected teammate, collaborator, and colleague. A master mentor trained through JNTP and enriched by years of experience guiding new teachers, she shares her expertise with humility and graciousness, strengthening colleagues and fostering a culture of continuous learning. Her work in welcoming and supporting new teachers, as well as her partnerships across divisions, reflects her quiet leadership and her belief in the strength of community and the shared responsibility for one another’s success.
Shoshi graduated from Stern College with a degree in Judaic Studies and holds a Master’s degree in Bible from Yeshiva University. Proud parents of four SAR students — Rebecca (AC ‘20, HS ‘24), Yakira (Grade 12), Pacey (Grade 10), and Joshua (Grade 7) — Shoshi and her husband Gregg live in New Rochelle, NY.