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

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40 writing multiple comments, but the community lacks the resources to fully monitor the site and trace their sources. The Jewish community reports these findings to appropriate state authorities, but it is not apparent that the authorities follow up on these submissions. Mr. Rostovtsev observed that many bookstores stock antisemitic literature, placing it in their Jewish sections alongside legitimate volumes on Jewish history, Hasidism, and other Jewish subjects. The problem of historic antisemitism, he continued, is exacerbated by the self-isolating conduct of many hasids who reject communication with the larger local community and live apart from general society. The Russian Orthodox church, he commented in response to a question, generally condemns scurrilous commentary on Jews, but a “huge quantity of myths” [oгромное количество мифов] about Jews and Judaism remains current in Ukrainian culture. Continuing on the role of hasidism in Ukraine, Mr. Rostovtsev said that he understands and appreciates the historic roots of Chabad in the region. Nonetheless, he stated, local Jews need a Jewish alternative to Chabad; a more modern, egalitarian approach to Judaism is more appropriate in the twenty-first century. He observed that the Israel Cultural Center, Jewish Agency, and Hillel all attract individuals to their programs who are seeking a different approach to building their own Jewish identities; Chabad, he said, excludes many people who consider themselves Jewish, but feel uncomfortable in a Chabad environment. That it operates a monopoly in Dnipropetrovsk regarding Jewish religious practice is unfortunate; notwithstanding the crowds that the synagogue attracts for Shabbat services, 39 most Jews in urban areas are “not sympathetic” to Chabad, said Mr. Rostovtsev. In response to a question, Mr. Rostovtsev said that the economic crisis was “deeper” (глубже) now than previously. Government policy has led to increased state control over the economy, a situation that has suffocated the emerging middle class, inhibited investment, and caused unemployment. Mr. Rostovtsev estimated the local unemployment rate to be 30 to 40 percent, some of it masked by part-time work, furloughs, or other deceptive practices. 23. The Jewish women’s microenterprise loan fund, initiated with funds from Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston (the Jewish federation in Dnipropetrovsk’s American sister city) continues to generate new businesses in Dnipropetrovsk. All loans are processed through PrivatBank, a large Ukrainian bank controlled by two Dnipropetrovsk Jewish leaders, Hennady Boholubov and Ihor Kolomoisky. Loan applicants must submit business plans to a committee of local Jewish leaders and PrivatBank representatives. The committee meets once monthly and has approved about 50 loans since inception of the program, said Vyecheslav Brez, Executive Director of the Chabad philanthropic fund in the city; many loans have been paid back, continued Mr. Brez. No defaults have occurred. 39 In earlier interviews, Mr. Rostovtsev and others have described Shabbat services in Dnipropetrovsk as social networking opportunities useful for exchanging gossip.
41 Natalia Rier, who directs the loan program, said that not all applicants understand the requirements for success in obtaining a loan and operating a successful business. Only 10 to 15 percent of those who express interest in acquiring a loan ever present a serious business plan, she said. Her office provides advice on developing a business plan, she continued, but inadequate education prevents many women from obtaining necessary information, comprehending local conditions, and constructing a workable plan. The level of financial education among many applicants is very low, and necessary legal assistance is very expensive. Further, many women [and men] lack necessary computer and other technical skills necessary in contemporary society. Natalia Rier, right, has directed the Jewish women’s microenterprise loan fund since its inception. Most loans are in the $1,000-$1,500 range. A somewhat similar loan fund initiated by the Joint Distribution Committee was overly complex and failed. Photo: the writer. In a separate discussion, Mr. Brez said that the local Jewish community and its Boston colleagues would like to expand and diversify the loan fund; they are examining several loan funds in Israel to see if any policies and practices there might be adaptable to Dnipropetrovsk. The new Menorah Center, noted Mr. Brez, will include a full office and teaching space for the microenterprise loan program. Instruction will be provided and encouraged in basic office skills, business practice, economics, and marketing. Computers and other relevant technology will be available. National and International Organizations 24. The regional headquarters of the Jewish Agency for Israel (Sochnut, JAFI) is housed in a suite of offices and program rooms in a modern building in Dnipropetrovsk. The Dnipropetrovsk center also supervises JAFI coordinators in Krivoi Rog, Zaporizhya, and Melitopol, as well as volunteer representatives in Alexandria and Kirovograd. 40 Its major mission centers on Jewish identity-building through formal and informal Jewish education and it encourages emigration of local Jews to Israel. Lena Zbarzhevsky, a native of Dnipropetrovsk, is now in her second year as JAFI director in the city. She left the city as an adolescent when she emigrated to Israel with her family. Aliyah (emigration to Israel) has increased in 2011 over 2010, Ms. Zbarzhevsky said. So far, four to five more individuals from the region are going to Israel every month over the same month in 2010, she stated, and she expects the growth in aliyah to continue throughout the year. (The total aliyah from the region in 2010 was 292.) In response to 40 The Kharkiv office of JAFI supervises its programs in Donetsk and the surrounding area.
Page 1 and 2: OBSERVATIONS ON JEWISH COMMUNITY LI
Page 3 and 4: 3 begin to pay taxes that they had
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: 39 Jewish community. Another 120 in
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
Page 53 and 54: 53 are the daughters of local rabbi
Page 55 and 56: 55 requires that all private school
Page 57 and 58: 57 Vkontakte, to recruit students a
Page 59 and 60: 59 seniors purchase in order to rec
Page 61 and 62: 61 Rabbi Moskovitz noted, a busines
Page 63 and 64: 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
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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
Page 125 and 126:
125 In response to a question, both
Page 127 and 128:
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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