(Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, Krivoi Rog, Donetsk, and Kyiv) Report of a ...

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116 Further, he stated, the amount of antisemitism in print also is low; anti-Jewish bigotry in the print media, said Mr. Likachev, tends to be found in small-circulation rightwing journals. The amount of antisemitism in media would increase substantially, Mr. Likachev added, if Moslems paid for it as had been the case with the many bigoted publications of MAUP ((Міжрегіональна Академія управління персоналом or Interregional Academy of Personnel Management) between 2002 and 2007. 106 In the mainstream press, observed Mr Likachev, antisemitic commentary may appear in such newspapers as Ukrainskaya pravda in articles about the business affairs of certain Ukrainian Jewish oligarchs, Ihor Kolomoisky in particular. Antisemitism on the Internet is a growing problem, responded Mr. Likachev to a question. The Internet reaches many more people than does print media, and no government legislation is in place to monitor, let alone address, hate speech in electronic media. Between 60 and 70 percent of antisemitic websites originate in Russia, Mr. Likachev commented, because the Internet is more developed there and because all Ukrainians read Russian. Even then, he added, some of the worst Russian antisemitic sites are translated into Ukrainian for the broadest possible exposure. A number of antisemitic forums and blogs exist, he stated; further, those online news sources that seek reader responses often generate substantial antisemitic commentary. Vyecheslav Likachev, left, is a specialist on Ukrainian antisemitism for the Ukrainian Vaad. He has conducted many surveys that monitor anti-Jewish bigotry in the country. Photo: the writer. The issues of antisemitic content in various media cannot be divorced, Mr. Likachev observed, from the larger issue of freedom of speech. Freedom of speech as a basic human right is still a very shaky concept in both Russia and Ukraine, he said, and some very decent individuals believe that any struggle against antisemitic commentary in the media must be very skillfully managed so as not to jeopardize freedom of speech. Mr. Likachev also observed that Ukrainian culture and language, in common with Russian culture and language, often is emotional and intemperate. Therefore, notions and impulses that might be suppressed in other settings are expressed in Ukraine and Russia. In response to a question, Mr. Likachev said that almost all Ukrainian antisemitism is “traditional,” rooted in Ukrainian nationalism. Leftwing antisemitism, which he acknowledged is common in the West, is not a factor in Ukraine. The most severe 106 It was widely reported that MAUP received funding from several Middle Eastern governments during this period.
117 rightwing antisemites, i.e., neo-Nazis, Mr. Likachev stated, are more concerned about Africans, Asians, and people from the Caucasus Mountain area than about Jews. The number of Arab students at Ukrainian universities is small, Mr. Likachev stated. The Middle East in general is not interesting to Ukrainians, Mr. Likachev continued, so Arabs are unlikely to persuade Ukrainians to join in anti-Israel activity. 77. The Kyiv Jewish Community is a secular organization operating under the auspices of Chief Rabbi Yaakov Dov Bleich. The writer spoke with Anatoly Shengait, Executive Director (Исполнительный директор) of KJC, who emphasized that KJC is an umbrella organization, striving to bring all Jewish organizations in the city together under one roof for community-wide actions. The organizations with which KJC tries to work include all Jewish religious denominations, all five Jewish day schools, and religious and non-religious Jewish organizations, e.g., Jewish youth groups, veterans clubs, and B’nai Brith. Of course, Mr. Shengait commented, he cannot order anyone to do anything, but most groups participate in the community-wide holiday celebrations and other events that KJC organizes. Anatoly Shengait has worked with Rabbi Bleich for many years. He currently directs the Kyiv Jewish Community, a secular organization operating under Rabbi Bleich’s auspices. Photo: the writer A major function of KJC over the years, said Mr. Shengait, has been the staging of large festivals in public halls for Chanukah and Purim. Jews from small towns in central and western Ukraine – such as Kaniv, Korosten, Ternopil, Bila Tserkva, and Zhmerynka – come into Kyiv by bus for these events. A complex entertainment schedule is devised, each group taking responsibility for specific components of the day. JDC and other organizations also are involved. Jewish university students provide considerable labor. The expenses of KJC events used to be covered by KJC, i.e., by funds raised by Rabbi Bleich; however, stated Mr. Shengait, Rabbi Bleich no longer is able to generate such support. The major donor behind KJC festivals now is Vadym Rabynovych, a controversial Ukrainian businessman. A second direction in KJC programs is unified advocacy for Israel. Last year, said Mr. Shengait, more than 10,000 people attended at least part of a three-day Israel fair designed to present a positive image of Israel. Initiated by Nativ and also supported by the Jewish Agency, KJC was heavily involved in the organization and logistics of this event which attracted many Ukrainian non-Jews who were curious about Israel and Jews. Part of the fair was staged in a 200-meter long museum facility that had been designed to resemble an Israeli street; storefronts and booths showcased Israeli art and Israeli firms that do business in Israel. An Israel film festival was held; all films were subtitled in Ukrainian or Russian, and many showings were followed by discussions
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OBSERVATIONS ON JEWISH COMMUNITY LI
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3 begin to pay taxes that they had
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5 Dnipropetrovsk Founded in 1778 on
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7 The major entrance to the Menorah
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9 The preschool is operating “at
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11 pupils (503) and the number of y
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13 families whose relationship to C
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15 boys’ home (a former synagogue
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17 The overwhelming majority of lit
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19 homes, sometimes bringing them s
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21 program in Kharkiv come to Beit
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23 return for the teaching done by
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25 started as more funds become ava
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27 Holocaust, and rebirth of Jewish
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29 manufacturer inevitably will ent
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31 Two newcomers were expected to j
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33 individual needs, providing food
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35 managing. He has heard of very f
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37 committee for the clinic was est
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39 Jewish community. Another 120 in
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41 Natalia Rier, who directs the lo
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43 speakers are fluent in English a
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45 The consul noted that the ICC wi
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47 Ms. Katz confirmed that Hesed Me
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49 Dnipropetrovsk. The relationship
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51 It is very difficult to raise mo
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53 are the daughters of local rabbi
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55 requires that all private school
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57 Vkontakte, to recruit students a
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59 seniors purchase in order to rec
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61 Rabbi Moskovitz noted, a busines
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63 writer met with George Faingold,
Page 65 and 66: 65 males if they would willingly se
Page 67 and 68: 67 utilities, petrol, transportatio
Page 69 and 70: Jewish Education and Culture 69 44.
Page 71 and 72: 71 46. It is common in Ukraine and
Page 73 and 74: 73 purchase new clothing. Donetsk,
Page 75 and 76: 75 The fitness hall is a gift from
Page 77 and 78: 77 National and International Jewis
Page 79 and 80: 79 drain”, but she doesn’t yet
Page 81 and 82: Jewish Education and Culture 81 52.
Page 83 and 84: 83 Surrounding the prayer hall are
Page 85 and 86: 85 the program is very expensive to
Page 87 and 88: 87 preschools. Authorities could fo
Page 89 and 90: 89 in its generally poor neighborho
Page 91 and 92: 91 connected to the Internet; howev
Page 93 and 94: 93 60. Rabbi Yonatan and Mrs. Ina M
Page 95 and 96: 95 accounting procedures require th
Page 97 and 98: 97 Other individuals in Kyiv with w
Page 99 and 100: 99 64. An organization bearing the
Page 101 and 102: 101 group, but the young women them
Page 103 and 104: 103 worked in Jewish schools and ca
Page 105 and 106: 105 Lo Tishkach arranges all travel
Page 107 and 108: 107 Ukraine in this period. They cl
Page 109 and 110: 109 kashrut, and/or work in secular
Page 111 and 112: 111 Odesa, said Rabbi Dukhovny, pro
Page 113 and 114: The writer observed 12 to 15 univer
Page 115: 115 and funds simply do not exist,
Page 119 and 120: 119 songs, the Holocaust, Jewish he
Page 121 and 122: 121 countries are eligible for aliy
Page 123 and 124: 123 The JDC welfare caseload in the
Page 125 and 126: 125 In response to a question, both
Page 127 and 128: 127 Commentary 84. The Jewish popul
Page 129: 129 accommodates modernity and thei
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(Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, Krivoi Rog, Donetsk, and Kyiv) Report of a ...

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