More than 2,100 letters from well-wishers in 21 countries have so far sent in Rosh Hashanah messages to Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, detained in Russia since March on espionage charges, as part of Jewish Federations of North America’s letter-writing campaign launched last week.
On Thursday morning, former Soviet dissident and Israeli politician Natan Sharansky sent his personal greeting for the Jewish New Year.
“Dear Evan: Shanah Tovah! I’m sure it will be the year of your liberation. Thanks to our prayers, the Jewish solidarity, and the support of your friends and colleagues,” he wrote. “Probably, you know that Lefortovo was my alma mater. I spent a year and a half in interrogations there before the trial. It is very important while resisting the pressure to see a bigger world picture in mind and to be optimistic.”
Jewish Federations will deliver a collective letter to the imprisoned journalist through his lawyers weaving together the hopes, prayers and wishes submitted from around the globe. A booklet of all the letters will also be delivered to Gershowitz’s family.
Letters can be sent until Sept. 15 at 6 p.m. Eastern Standard Time through this online form.
