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

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2 The estimated population of Ukraine in 2011 is 45,134,707, 2 a precipitous decline from its estimated 1991 population of approximately 53 million. 3 The estimated 2011 birthrate is 9.62 live births per 1,000 population, and the estimated 2011 deathrate is 15.74 deaths per 1,000 population, that is, the number of deaths is projected to exceed substantially the number of live births. The estimated life expectancy for individuals born in 2011 is 68.6 for the entire population (62.8 for men, 74.8 for women). 4 The estimated 2009 populations of Ukraine’s five largest cities are: Kyiv, 2.8 million; Kharkiv, 1.5 million; Dnipropetrovsk, 1.01 million, Odesa, 1.00 million, and Donetsk, 971,000. The 2011 population of Krivoi Rog is estimated at 667,874. 5 As was the case during the writer’s most recent previous visit to Ukraine in April 2010, the general mood in the country was disconsolate. Primary among the causes of discontent was widespread economic malaise, in part reflecting global economic adversity and in part reflecting conditions particular to Ukraine and certain of the other former Soviet states. Unemployment was estimated to be as high as 30 percent to 40 percent in Kharkiv and Donetsk, industrial cities with economies based largely on local deposits of coal, iron, manganese, and other minerals. Some of the mines had been depleted, energy costs had soared, and factories using these resources had become obsolescent. Unemployment in cities with a more diverse economic base was estimated at 15 to 20 percent. Recent university graduates, the writer was told, had difficulty finding jobs in their specialties or in any field that provided a salary sufficient to support even one person. A new tax code effective in December 2010 “sends people into the black economy,” said one observer, continuing that taxes are used as political leverage to “punish” people and to obtain their businesses when they can no longer pay the confiscatory taxes. The new laws are especially burdensome to emerging small businesses, effectively stifling new economic initiatives in their early stages. Loopholes in a harsh payroll tax have been closed, forcing many employers (including Jewish communal institutions) to either 2 Unless otherwise noted, most of the statistics on this page can be found in the CIA World Factbook at: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/up.html. Retrieved May 11, 2011. 3 Demographic trends in Russia are similar. Population loss in both countries reflects poor health care, inadequate nutrition, substance abuse (tobacco, alcohol, narcotics), aging of the population, low fertility, high mortality, emigration of younger age cohorts, impoverishment, and environmental degradation. The 2009 estimate of Ukrainians with HIV/AIDS was 1.1% (350,000) of the total population, a high rate. Ukraine declared independence in 1991. 4 Comparable life expectancies in Russia are 59.8 years for men and 73.2 for women. 5 See the Krivoi Rog municipal website at http://www.kryvyirih.dp.ua/ru/st/pg/181109220127846_s/. Retrieved May 11, 2011.
3 begin to pay taxes that they had long evaded or to reduce significantly the size of their payrolls. Energy costs had risen substantially, thus increasing the expenses for heating and transportation; higher transportation costs generated higher prices for food and other necessities. Inflation is estimated at 15 to 20 percent annually. Corruption appears endemic, affecting not only business operations, but also such aspects of daily life as medical care and grade school education. Apart from the financial impact, ubiquitous bribery is exacting a toll on the psychic well-being of individuals caught in its web. Basic pensions were being paid on time, said several individuals familiar with the state welfare system, but long-established welfare supplements for specific handicaps or conditions were irregular, leaving many elderly and disabled individuals in even more straitened circumstances than usual. Perhaps not surprisingly, street crime had increased substantially in several cities. The political mood was characterized by great cynicism and disappointment. The popular attitude toward the government of President Viktor Yanukovych was less one of anger than one of resignation. Mr. Yanukovych’s government is less open that that of its predecessor; press oligarchs assiduously selfcensor their publications and courts pursue opposition figures in dubious legal procedures. Nonetheless, the situation concerning basic freedoms has not yet deteriorated to that of neighboring Russia or Belarus. The government remains fractious and has few accomplishments to its credit. Various polls suggest that 60 percent of young Ukrainians would like to leave the country and pursue their careers elsewhere. Viktor Yanukovych (right) “is not Putin,” declared one observer. He has “no record in the KGB,” but he has few accomplishments to his credit. Neither he nor his opposition has been able to articulate a vision for Ukraine. Photo:http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/7958604/image /60916776. Retrieved May 18, 2011. Responsible estimates of the size of Jewish population in Ukraine range from 100,000 to 200,000, with the largest single number – 26,000 to 50,000 - residing in the capital city of Kyiv. A somewhat smaller number of Jews is believed to live in Dnipropetrovsk, and progressively smaller Jewish
Page 1: OBSERVATIONS ON JEWISH COMMUNITY LI
Page 5 and 6: 5 Dnipropetrovsk Founded in 1778 on
Page 7 and 8: 7 The major entrance to the Menorah
Page 9 and 10: 9 The preschool is operating “at
Page 11 and 12: 11 pupils (503) and the number of y
Page 13 and 14: 13 families whose relationship to C
Page 15 and 16: 15 boys’ home (a former synagogue
Page 17 and 18: 17 The overwhelming majority of lit
Page 19 and 20: 19 homes, sometimes bringing them s
Page 21 and 22: 21 program in Kharkiv come to Beit
Page 23 and 24: 23 return for the teaching done by
Page 25 and 26: 25 started as more funds become ava
Page 27 and 28: 27 Holocaust, and rebirth of Jewish
Page 29 and 30: 29 manufacturer inevitably will ent
Page 31 and 32: 31 Two newcomers were expected to j
Page 33 and 34: 33 individual needs, providing food
Page 35 and 36: 35 managing. He has heard of very f
Page 37 and 38: 37 committee for the clinic was est
Page 39 and 40: 39 Jewish community. Another 120 in
Page 41 and 42: 41 Natalia Rier, who directs the lo
Page 43 and 44: 43 speakers are fluent in English a
Page 45 and 46: 45 The consul noted that the ICC wi
Page 47 and 48: 47 Ms. Katz confirmed that Hesed Me
Page 49 and 50: 49 Dnipropetrovsk. The relationship
Page 51 and 52: 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,
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65 males if they would willingly se
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67 utilities, petrol, transportatio
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Jewish Education and Culture 69 44.
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71 46. It is common in Ukraine and
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73 purchase new clothing. Donetsk,
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75 The fitness hall is a gift from
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77 National and International Jewis
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79 drain”, but she doesn’t yet
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Jewish Education and Culture 81 52.
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83 Surrounding the prayer hall are
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85 the program is very expensive to
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87 preschools. Authorities could fo
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89 in its generally poor neighborho
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91 connected to the Internet; howev
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93 60. Rabbi Yonatan and Mrs. Ina M
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95 accounting procedures require th
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97 Other individuals in Kyiv with w
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99 64. An organization bearing the
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101 group, but the young women them
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103 worked in Jewish schools and ca
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105 Lo Tishkach arranges all travel
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107 Ukraine in this period. They cl
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109 kashrut, and/or work in secular
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111 Odesa, said Rabbi Dukhovny, pro
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The writer observed 12 to 15 univer
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115 and funds simply do not exist,
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117 rightwing antisemites, i.e., ne
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119 songs, the Holocaust, Jewish he
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121 countries are eligible for aliy
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123 The JDC welfare caseload in the
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125 In response to a question, both
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127 Commentary 84. The Jewish popul
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129 accommodates modernity and thei
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(Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, Krivoi Rog, Donetsk, and Kyiv) Report of a ...

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