Of the weddings in our lives, there are the regular, run-of-the-mill ones, where we ate too much or the music was too loud or we sat next to somebody's Relative From Hell. And then there are those one or two weddings which, for the rest of our lives, we will never forget.
The wedding in Jerusalem last month of Rachel Sharansky, the eldest of Natan and Avital Sharansky's two daughters, was one of those weddings.
It never could be, in any sense, a normal wedding. Of the hundreds of people there, there were two distinct groups: the young people who were simply happy to be participating in the celebration and who had little idea of the historical significance of the event, and the older people who had taken part in the drama of the refusenik struggle and for whom Rachel's wedding was the grand finale of that astonishing narrative.
I wandered over to congratulate the bride, her face radiant with intelligence, warmth and humor. The thought crossed my mind, as I stood at a distance where I could just enjoy looking at her, that this magical person very nearly did not come to be. In the configuration of the universe as we knew it in the early 1980s, the chances of there being a glowing Rachel Sharansky standing here in her wedding dress in 2008, were statistically very small indeed.
The day after Rachel's parents, Natan and Avital, were married, Avital's exit visa was about to expire, so she left immediately for Israel. Natan was denied exit, and three years later the KGB hauled him away, leaving a young Avital to lead the struggle for his freedom. Nine years later, Natan and Avital were reunited in Jerusalem, and began to build their family.
All of us who participated in the demonstrations of those years remember perfectly well that during those long years that Natan was in solitary confinement or on hunger strike or doing both together, there were times when we very nearly lost him.
On one memorable occasion I remember how shocked my parents were when, 25-odd years ago, a group of us disrupted a concert of the Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra at the Royal Festival Hall in London. Halfway through the performance, we shed our outside clothes to reveal the striped prison uniforms we were wearing underneath, and handcuffed ourselves to the railings of the balcony in the auditorium, yelling our Soviet Jewry slogans and shaking our fists. As the cellos and violins of the Moscow Philharmonic came slithering to halt, we knew, in the deathly silence that followed, that our refusenik brothers and sisters would be listening thousands of miles away on the BBC World Service. It was only a few minutes before infuriated police officers arrived on the scene with large metal pincers to cut us free from the railings, but it was enough.
I speak of it now as if it were a childish prank, but it was not an easy thing to do. We were young and idealistic, but we were also nice Jewish girls and boys. We had all been trained by our parents that at the Royal Festival Hall, you sit politely and do not fidget. For years we had enjoyed Tchaikovsky and Saint-Saens and Schubert in this bastion of British culture, and now we were more or less spitting in its face.
Natan's story was not just a prisoner story, or a persecution story, or even a Jewish story. It was a love story.
The second before I had to stand up along with my friends, and shout at the top of my lungs into the silent abyss, my courage failed me and I did not think I could do it. The only thing, the only thing, which enabled me to get to my feet, was the thought of Natan in his solitary confinement cell, the thought of him never seeing Avital again. The reason why so many Jewish youth were participating in these demonstrations all over the world, was that Natan's story was not just a prisoner story, or a persecution story, or even a Jewish story. It was a love story.
Outdoor Chuppah
And it was this love story I was thinking of as I watched Rachel laugh and talk with all her guests, before her parents accompanied her to her chuppah, before she married Micha Danziger under the Jerusalem skies. I have always known, across all of the years, what I was shouting for that night at the concert hall.
At the reception I congratulated the mother of the groom. "It's a great day for all of us," I said, and she smiled knowingly. But I couldn't leave it there. "She's the nation's baby," I explained, trying to hold back my tears. "She's our miracle girl."
Rachel and Micha took their place under a raised outdoor chuppah, with a stunning view of the Judean hills behind and below them. The sun shone warmly and benevolently on the hundreds of people, Russians and Israelis and Americans and Brits, members of Knesset and rabbis and journalists and intellectuals, philanthropists and activists and chairmen of committees, family and friends, who had gathered to watch the ceremony unfold. A soft breeze played across the bride's face and lifted her veil into the air, so that she looked, for a moment, like a floating figure from a Chagall painting.
"Sometimes a place is named for its future," said the officiating rabbi, Rabbi Moti Elon. "Kibbutz Ramat Rachel was named for you, Rachel. It was named for you to get married here."
When it was time for the groom to break the glass, Natan took the microphone to say a few words.
"I'd like to say something about why we are breaking this glass," he said, alternating seamlessly between English and Hebrew.
"Thirty-four years ago, in a Moscow apartment, Avital and I stood under a sheet held up by four boys, for our own chuppah. There were barely enough people to make a minyan. We had never been to a Jewish wedding before, and we had no understanding of what to do. We mouthed the words that the rabbi told us to say, without knowing their meaning. But the breaking of the glass, this we understood very well. We had one challenge, and the challenge was very clear to us. We knew that we had to get to Jerusalem. No matter what it would take, no matter how many years, we had to get to Jerusalem and build a home there. And this is what we did."
Then Natan continued:
"Now you are standing under the chuppah, Rachel, a child born in Jerusalem, overlooking Jerusalem. And this begs the question: Why should we break the glass at all? After all, Jerusalem has been rebuilt, and it is a vibrant city.
"But the reason we are breaking the glass is this: The challenge that faces you, Rachel and Micha, is different than the challenge that faced us. You will make a home in Jerusalem, yes, but... it will be your mission, and the mission of all your generation, to defend Jerusalem, to protect her, to keep her safe. And I think that your challenge may, in the end, be even more difficult than ours."
From all the Jewish people, mazel tov on your wedding, Rachel Sharansky. Mazel tov, miracle girl.
(23) Cheryl, December 13, 2010 2:41 PM
Beautiful story of Love and courage.God Bless Jerusalem and her people
(22) agnes csato, February 28, 2008 1:04 PM
Regarding the name Sharansky
Is Sharansky a jewish name? There is in Chile a woman called Clara Sharansky and she is the President of the Court of Justice or something like that. She has just married an ex priest and lived in Italy for years as a refugee from the Pinochet regime. Any way, some friends tell me she is a converted jew, who knows?
(21) Anonymous, February 28, 2008 12:19 PM
Jerusalem Rebuilt Already???
We are all very happy for the Sharansky Family for having merited this momentous occasion after all they have been thru. However we have not waited 2,000 years for a vibrant city to be rebuilt. We are awaiting the rebuilding of the Beis Hamikdash and the return of the Divine presence. Only when this occurs will we cease our mourning for Jerusalem and no longer need to break the glass in remembrance.
(20) Annette, February 24, 2008 10:33 AM
I too remember
During the 1980's I was the president of the SSSJ-Student Struggle for Soviet Jewry-at Stern College. I organized rallies & went to them, alongside my fellow students, teachers & Glenn Richter, the director of SSSJ. I went to Washington, DC for the Mission Meeting, where we were surprised by Avigail Sharansky, who spoke so movingly. I remember Shabbatons with Glenn & his family & Avigail, who would look so longingly at Glenn's daughter.
And I will never forget a week in February, 1986. I had just gotten engaged, when I was informed about the possiblity that Anatoly Sharansky might be released & I was asked to arrange a massive siyum. Finally, the news came through that Anatoly crossed the border to freedom. The Koch auditorium exploded! There was massive singing & dancing! I was to leave for a visit to Israel the next day, so I missed Anatoly's arrival. But who could forget the images of him being swept up as soon as he arrived at Ben Gurion Airport. Later that year, Natan Sharansky paid a visit to Yeshiva University, where he spoke to the entire student body. The image of him holding up his little Sefer Tehillim is embedded in my mind. And now, 22 years later, with the fall of communism in Russia & the ability for every Jew to travel to Israel, where there are Yeshivos & kollels florishing in Russia, & he & Avigail are privileged to marry off their first daughter in Yerusholaim. You are right-what a beautiful ending to the story.
cee, July 17, 2014 6:15 PM
correction
Beautiful but her name is not AVigail, it is Avital.
(19) Yvonne Michele Anderson, February 22, 2008 9:44 PM
Mazel Tov!
What a lovely tribute to Jewish history, to Jewish people, and to Yerushalayim! May the couple be blessed with many children, a loving and happy family!
(18) MESA, February 21, 2008 8:45 PM
Mazal Tov
I still remember those "Solidarity Sunday" rallies when we marched and protested on behalf of the refuseniks. I also remember when we protested on behalf of "Anatoly" Sharansky. Now, he is Natan, living in our homeland with his family and marrying off his daughter. As the saying goes, "do you believe in miracles?" Anyway, Brachah, Hatzlachah, V'Kol Tuv to Rachel and Micah. May you build a Bayit Ne'eman B'Yisrael and ensure that your parents' years of struggle was not in vain.
(17) Channie, February 19, 2008 6:55 AM
My generation vividly remembers the New York Student Struggle for Soviet Jewry annual rallies of the late 60's and 70's.
I particularly remember two consecutive rallies. In cable televison coverage, I had been interviewed as to why I came, with children in tow and an obviously pregnant body. My partial answer, to teach my children that we are all one people wherever we may be on earth and must empathize and fight for each other, was aired on the six o'clock news. Avital Scharansky had also come to the rally that year. On the 11:00 o'clock broadcast, I felt honored to have been bumped by Avital Scharansky and her speech.
The following year, I again attended the rally. This time we were privileged to be witnesses to the miracle, as Nathan Scharansky himself recited the Shehechiyanu in front of the UN Plaza, and a crowd of about 250,000 tearfully answered Amen.
Perhaps it is time for another Shehechiyanu. Mazal tov.
(16) Jeanette Weinschel, February 18, 2008 9:01 PM
womderful
I have read what Natan Sharansky wrote a few times and everytime I do so I get the same chills, what a special life moment
(15) Floyd Fernandez, February 18, 2008 2:57 PM
Ronald Reagan
There is one man who had a great deal to do with Rachel's day, who was not there, but I believe looked down from heaven with great joy and satisfaction. That man, who did so much to set Natan free and bring him to Avital, and to free so many countless others who suffered in the gulag. That man is Ronald Reagan. Let us remember him, for if not for him, Rachel's day would not have happened. And he rejoiced, no doubt in Rachel's day, the fruit of the freedom over tyranny which President Reagan did so much to achieve. Mazel-tov to you also, hero of freedom, godfather to Rachel's hope.
(14) Miriam Goodman, February 18, 2008 2:10 AM
Mazel-Tov Chatan & Kallah
Mazel-Tov to the entire family. This is truly a marriage made in heaven. I remember going to rallies in Toronto so many years ago to Free Natan Sharansky. May this young couple be blessed with many children and may Natan and Avital have only nachas and simchas.
Miriam, Netivot,Israel
(13) Anonymous, February 17, 2008 11:59 PM
thank youfor the update i forgot the family side ofthe story
pictures, pictures , i want to see pictures of this miracle that happened in my lifetime!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(12) Jay Bressner, February 17, 2008 7:31 PM
It's so wonderful to see a happy ending.
Life is very difficult so it makes me feel so happy that in this case that life for these lovely people will bring more happiness to the Jewish people
(11) Diane Faber Veitzer, February 17, 2008 5:31 PM
from the past into the future
The big question is, what will come of this wonderful pair, Sharansky and Danziger? Micha Danziger is the iconoclastic firstborn son of Ba'alei Teshuva parents who are brilliant, generous, and intellectually honest pathbreakers in their own regard. What a world in which these two people exist and find one another! Mazal tov to the Jewish people on such a wonderful shidduch.
Fondly,
Diane Faber Veitzer
(10) rose, February 17, 2008 4:10 PM
fond memories
shalom-v-mazaltov
(9) Hilda, February 17, 2008 3:43 PM
Mazel Tov
I read this article with tears flowing down my cheeks. May Natan and Avital have much nachas from this couple and many grandchildren. They belong to us here in the US as well as Israel. We worked and cried for their freedom. I am so happy for them.
(8) Anonymous, February 17, 2008 1:06 PM
MAZEL TOV!
BS"D
Every Jewish wedding is a mazel tov for the entire Jewish people. But this one has a special place in the hearts of those who remember the era of the Russian refuseniks.
I didn't handcuff myself to the railings in a concert hall-- she was so brave to do that -- but I remember well the time that Katie Green describes. I marched pushing a baby carriage in front of a building when the Russian ballet came to my city. I helped organize a rally where hundreds in the community came to hear officials including a congressman speak. At that rally,I spoke briefly on the phone to a refusnik until we were cut off.
I remember seeing and hearing a regal, soft-spoken woman, Avital Sharansky, visiting our shul, plea to help her husband. And I stood joyously though puzzled before a TV screen,as I and my second grade students watched Anatoly Sharansky zig-zag his way to freedom after the Soviet authorities told him to walk a straight line to the other side.
With tears on my cheeks, I felt like I just attended his daughter's wedding. Thank you,Katie Green, for sharing that special simcha with us in a touching, well written article. May Rachel and Micha build a beautiful Jewish home among our people. And may Natan & Avital and their machatonim have much nachas along with the rest of klal Yisroel.
r.g.
(7) chava, February 17, 2008 11:50 AM
tears
I had trouble reading to the end because of the tears in my eyes. Everyone cries at weddings --- but I usually don't. Nevertheless, my eyes filled with tears as I read this. MAZAL TOV to Rachel and Micha and their parents & families, and MAZAL TOV to all the Jewish People!
(6) Anonymous, February 17, 2008 11:46 AM
Reason for breaking the glass
Mazal Tov! This is a true Simcha of the entire nation!
One important point I'd like to make though, is that the reason for breaking the glass under a chuppah today is because although we are fortunate to be able to be in Jerusalem, we are still not in "Yerushalayim habinuya", the rebuilt Jerusalem which is what all Jewry has been waiting for since the beginning of Galus. Let us not forget, that though, thank G-d we are fortunate enough to visit and live in Jerusalem, we have not yet merited to experience, the true rebuilding of Jerusalem.
Let us strengthen our Torah learning and mitzvos, and continue praying to be able to see the true rebuilding of Jerusalem, speedily in our days!
(5) YAEL SUCHER, February 17, 2008 11:28 AM
MY HUSBAND, MOSHE SCHACHTER, LOST HIS LIFE IN KFAR ETZION IN 1948, DEFENDING JERUSALEM. ALL THE HEROES OF THAT WAR ENABLED RACHEL SHARANSKY TO BUILD HER HOME IN THE HOLY CITY! MAZAL TOV MIKEREV LEV! YAEL SUCHER
(4) Rivka, February 17, 2008 11:08 AM
reason for breaking the glass
It was a heartwarming story, however I feel compelled to straighten out the truth. Yes, what Natan Sharansky said under the chupah was beautiful and true, but with one exception. The reason for breaking the glass is because although Jerusalem is built into a strong and vibrant metropolis, we are saddened that the real Jerusalem has not been rebuilt. That will only happen when Moshiach will come. We break the glass for the same reason we tear our clothes when we see the Kosel- we are saddened that we have not returned to the true Jerusalem which will only occur at our redemption.
(3) Pierrette, February 17, 2008 10:36 AM
Beautiful!
Although a gentile but an avid reader of Aish.com.I share many of your articles with people who otherwise would have no way of reading them; but this story about Nathan Sharansky has me full of admiration once again; For this story examplify the courage and determination that has sustained the Jewish people for 2000 yrs.!! Mazel Tov indeed to the newlyweds.
(2) sue Rubinstein, February 17, 2008 10:20 AM
She is a miracle woman but aren't we all?
We are all miracles when you think about our history as a people...If my grandparents did not leave Poland in the 1920's, I would not be here today nor my son...so yes, us jews by being alive today are miracles in one way or another..We have all had ancestors who beat the odds.
(1) Ali Gutfreund, February 17, 2008 9:11 AM
What an inspiration
Thank you so much for sharing such a holy snipit of sanctity from Yerushaliyim and from the very special families that live there.