UKL444 - Chair of Ukrainian Studies
UKL444 - Chair of Ukrainian Studies
UKL444 - Chair of Ukrainian Studies
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A New Project on World War II in Ukraine<br />
3 May 2010<br />
The <strong>Ukrainian</strong> Canadian Research and Documentation Centre (UCRDC), in<br />
partnership with the <strong>Ukrainian</strong> Jewish Encounter Initiative and the Judaica Institute<br />
in Kyiv Ukraine, is launching a new project on World War II in Ukraine. The goal <strong>of</strong><br />
this project is to identify and recognize <strong>Ukrainian</strong>s who took great personal risks in<br />
hiding or otherwise helping Jews to survive during the horrific years <strong>of</strong> World War II.<br />
Recognizing the actions <strong>of</strong> such individuals would make salient their personal<br />
heroism, but also the existence <strong>of</strong> positive interaction and relations between<br />
Christian and Jewish <strong>Ukrainian</strong>s even during a period <strong>of</strong> deep crisis and pervasive<br />
violence.<br />
This project was initiated by Leonid Finberg <strong>of</strong> the Judaica Institute in Kyiv, and has<br />
the support <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Ukrainian</strong> Jewish Encounter Initiative, a privately organized,<br />
multinational initiative whose goal is to deepen scholarly and broader public interest<br />
in the breadth, complexity and diversity <strong>of</strong> <strong>Ukrainian</strong>-Jewish relations, with a view to<br />
the future. Canadians, notably Mr. James Temerty, are playing an important role in<br />
the development and leadership <strong>of</strong> this initiative.<br />
The <strong>Ukrainian</strong> Canadian Research & Documentation Centre (UCRDC), founded in<br />
1983, is a non-pr<strong>of</strong>it, non-governmental community organization that collects,<br />
catalogues, and preserves material documenting <strong>Ukrainian</strong> history. UCRDC produces<br />
documentary films, prepares educational materials, and sponsors lectures,<br />
conferences and exhibits on various topics related to <strong>Ukrainian</strong> issues. The UCRDC<br />
functions as a resource centre which holds an archive, a library, oral histories (both<br />
in audio and video format), photographs, memoirs, and personal archives.<br />
This new project will build on existing research and cases that have already been<br />
documented in Ukraine, at Yad Vashem in Jerusalem, and at the Shoah Foundation in<br />
Los Angeles, but will also conduct research to identify cases not known or publicized<br />
to date. The UCRDC will focus on identifying and documenting cases that have a<br />
Canadian connection. The UCRDC appeals to the community to provide any<br />
information that might be helpful in identifying new cases – in particular, suggestions<br />
regarding people who should be interviewed with connection with their own<br />
experience or that <strong>of</strong> a family member. If can provide any information or would like<br />
more information about this project, please contact<br />
Orest Zakydalsky, Researcher<br />
<strong>Ukrainian</strong> Canadian Research and Documentation Centre<br />
620 Spadina Ave.<br />
Toronto, ON<br />
M5S 2H4<br />
Email – orestzak@gmail.com<br />
Tel – 416-966-1819 (<strong>of</strong>fice), 647-887-0662 (mobile)<br />
Once a number <strong>of</strong> significant cases have been documented, the <strong>Ukrainian</strong> Jewish<br />
Encounter Initiative, the Judaica Institute and the UCRDC will collaboratively<br />
organize events to raise awareness about these exceptional people and those saved<br />
by them.