ZFU Conferences and discussions
Conferences
International Conference “Ukraine–Israel: The History of Relations”
On May 14, 2023, at 3:00 PM, the international conference “Ukraine–Israel: The History of Relations” began its work. The conference was dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the proclamation of the independence of the State of Israel.
On May 14, 1948, David Ben-Gurion proclaimed the establishment of the independent Jewish state.
For several years now, May 14 has also been observed in Ukraine as a day to honor the Righteous Among the Nations—those who saved Jews from certain death during World War II. Many Ukrainian citizens view Israel as an example of resilience and courage in the struggle for independence. But do Israeli citizens feel the same connection between the two countries? Has anything changed following Russia’s full-scale invasion on February 24?
These questions were addressed on May 14, 16, and 18, 2023, during three online sessions of the conference. Historians, journalists, scholars, and public figures discussed the history of relations between the two countries, the current state of Ukraine–Israel relations, efforts to counter Russian propaganda in Israel, as well as the role of Jewish organizations in supporting refugees from eastern Ukraine after February 24 and implementing psychological support projects for Ukrainian citizens.
International Conference “Aleph-Bet: Zionism”
March – July 2020
The goal of the “Aleph-Bet: Zionism” conference was to restore the true meaning of the term “Zionism” and to highlight the historical events that preceded the establishment of the State of Israel, as well as the role of people from Ukraine in this process.
Originally planned as a one-day event consisting of a plenary session and two parallel panels (academic and discussion-based), the conference evolved into a series of educational events.
The program was designed to give anyone interested in the topic an opportunity to explore different perspectives on well-known historical events and to form their own opinions based on facts. The term “Zionism” still evokes fear, suspicion, and misunderstanding among many who were born during the Soviet era, while many born after its collapse are often unfamiliar with its true meaning and historical depth.
Instead of a single-day conference, the international event “Aleph-Bet: Zionism” became a series of online lectures held throughout the spring and summer of 2020. This format allowed speakers to expand their presentations without time constraints and to answer all audience questions. Each session was recorded, significantly broadening the audience, including participants from outside Kyiv and Ukraine.
Participants included: Prof. Zeev Khanin (Ariel University), PhD Nadia Horodova (Ariel University), Co-President of the Vaad of Ukraine Josef Zissels, PhD Liudmyla Pavlenko (Chernihiv Collegium named after T. H. Shevchenko), Head of the Department of Irgoon and Connection with Israelis Abroad Gusti Braverman, Chair of the Zionist Federation of Sweden Saskia Pantell, former Knesset member Rabbi Dov Lipman, PhD Serhii Hiryk (NaUKMA), and others.
Project initiator and head: Olena Zaslavska, Executive Director of the ZFU
From V. I. Vernadsky Taurida National University: Director of the Institute of Philology and Journalism, Dr. Svitlana Kuzmina
Project managers: Iryna Lazorenko, Yelyzaveta Muchnyk
Video editor: Alfiia Shevchenko
Organizers: Executive Directorate of the ZFU, V. I. Vernadsky Taurida National University, Vaad of Ukraine
Partners: National Library of Israel, Keren HaYedidut, Sokhnut-Ukraine, World Confederation of United Zionists (CUZ), and others
Main sponsor: Department of Irgoon and Connection with Israelis Abroad World Zionist Organization
Participating countries: Ukraine, Israel, Sweden, Belgium, Germany
Information and technical support: “Diye-Slovo Studio”
Discussions
Останні новини
“Zionist Federation of Ukraine: Why Are Zionist Ideas Still Needed Today?”
February 14, 2021
Speakers:
- Yosyf Zisels – 30-year history of the ZFU
- Olena Zaslavska – Projects and programs of the organization over the past five years
- Yechiel Fishzon – Philosophical aspects of Zionism
- David Ayari – His participation in demonstrations in defense of Soviet Jews
- Elisha Henkin – Judea and Samaria: how Russian-speaking Jews settled there
- Amik Diamant – Zionism: which version do you prefer?
The discussion was dedicated to the origins of the Zionist Federation of Ukraine (ZFU), its mission, plans, and areas of activity, as well as projects initiated by the organization over the past five years, such as the Hebrew conversation club “Let’s Talk!?”, the exhibition “The State of Israel – Ukrainian Roots,” and the project “From the Shtetl.”
The conversation also covered new ZFU initiatives, including “An Open Book of Jewish History,” a sociological research project, and others. Participants also exchanged views on the importance of Zionist ideas after the establishment of the State of Israel and how these ideas have transformed over recent decades.
“May Filled with Pain and Hope.” Open Discussion
May 27, 2021
May is filled with commemorative dates marked by mourning, and this year the Ukrainian calendar was also expanded with a Day of Remembrance for Ukrainians who rescued Jews during the Second World War. Remarkably, all these “days” are interconnected—one event became a prerequisite for another.
- May 8 – Day of Remembrance and Reconciliation
- May 9 – Victory Day
- May 14 – Day of Remembrance for Ukrainians who rescued Jews during the Second World War
- May 16 – Day of Remembrance of Victims of Political Repressions
- May 18 – Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Deportation and the Day of Struggle for the Rights of the Crimean Tatar People
The event featured the Head of the Crimean Tatar Resource Center and member of the Presidium of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People, Eskender Bariiev; Ukrainian scholar, publicist, political expert, and member of the Ukrainian Helsinki Union, Evgen Dykyj; Ukrainian legal expert and Head of the Board of the Center for Constitutional Design, Gennadiy Druzenko; and dissident, Executive Vice President of the Congress of National Communities of Ukraine, Yosyf Zisels.
Participants discussed the impact of Soviet rule, particularly the Stalinist regime, on the course of the Second World War, post-war repression and persecution of Crimean Tatars, the fate of the Righteous Among the Nations and Jews after the war; the significance of May 8 and May 9 for every citizen of Ukraine; the similarities and differences in how these dates are perceived today; and how they are viewed differently by various generations of Ukrainians.
Event recording: https://youtu.be/PoPIdpSy7Ok
The Righteous Among the Nations: Why are these figures so important for modern Ukraine? How can we honor them today?
March 14, 2021
The founder and head of the all-Ukrainian charitable fund “To You,”Julia Goldenberg, spoke about the creation of a private Ukrainian charitable foundation, the projects carried out by the organization, and interfaith dialogue.
An online presentation of the project “History Through Faces,” dedicated to the Righteous Among the Nations, took place.
Speakers:
- Julia Goldenberg, founder and head of the all-Ukrainian charitable fund “To You.”
- Ihor Labunets, Deputy Director of the charitable fund “To You.”
- Hanna Yarova, daughter of Righteous Among the Nations Sofia Yarova and granddaughter of Righteous Among the Nations Yefrosynia Boiko, among others
The discussion was joined by Professor Samuel Barnai of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, member of the Holocaust Memorial Commission at Yad Vashem.
Event recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sq0xU52jkA
