COMMUNITY REPORT
ON THE ACTIVITIES OF THE VAAD OF UKRAINE IN 2004
The Association of Jewish Organizations and Communities (Vaad) of Ukraine
was founded on January 14, 1991 and registered by Ukrainian Ministry of
Justice. 266 organizations from 90 cities of Ukraine form the Vaad. They
are 52 religious communities, 50 city communities, 13 charity structures,
17 educational structures, 79 cultural organizations, 12 associations
of prisoners of ghettoes and concentration camps, 10 youth organizations,
as well as 5 associated member organizations.
The Association is a part of interstate Jewish Confederation – The Vaad
(CIS), The European Council of Jewish Communities, The European Jewish
Congress, The World Jewish Congress, co-founder of the Zionist Federation
of Ukraine, The Euro-Asian Jewish Congress, The Congress of National Communities
of Ukraine, and The World Congress of Russian Jewry.
The Meeting to hear the report on the work of the Vaad and to elect new
executives was held on July 5-7, 2004: re-election of Chairman of the
Vaad of Ukraine –(Josef Zissels), Board Members (15 persons), Members
of the Coordinative Council.
CONSTANT
PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS:
1. Program ‘Charity’
(Director – Yuri Slutskiy)
During 2004 the following activities were carried out in Chernovtsy, Ivano-Frankovsk,
Korosten, Mukachevo:
1. – Hot lunches for 1830 persons of elderly age;
2. – Medical help for 800 persons of elderly age;
3. – Parcels’ distribution for 1295 persons;
4. – Clothing assisted – 1020 persons;
5. – Material aid for 17 indigent persons;
The Jewish Charity Fund of Ukraine «Charity – Magen Avot» and its branches
conducted the program. The program was sponsored by the Vaad of Ukraine,
public founds “Peace”, “Hevra”, local businessmen
2.2
Center of Jewish Education in Ukraine
(Director – Yana Yanover)
There
are 35 full–time Jewish schools, 12 kinder gardens; about 50 Sunday schools
and 8 yeshivas work in the Jewish communities of Ukraine.
The activities of the Center for Jewish Education of Ukraine (CJEU) developed
in the following directions:
1. Methodical Web –site was enriched with materials.
2. In August 2004 the International Seminar on Klezmer Music “The Klezfest”
was organized, due to the support of the Jewish Community Development
Fund (U.S.A.), Joint, the Jewish Agency ‘Sochnut’, Embassies of the U.S.A.
and Canada in Ukraine. There were 70 Seminar’ participants from Ukraine,
Byelorussia, Moldova, Israel, Great Britain and the U.S.A.
3.The ‘5 Years Together ’ CD was prepared and released.
4. Concerts of Klezmer music were held during events in Jewish communities
and organizations.
5. The “Jewish Music Department” started its work;
6. The “Jewish Music of Ukraine and Moldova” book is been preparing to
edition;
7. The certificate program on Judaic Studies for National University “Kiev-Mogila
Academy” is cared out (30 students).
8. The joint program with Anne Frank House (Netherlands) "Tolerance
education in Ukrainian society " was prepared. Seven Children’s completions
were held.
9. The database of the Jewish Sunday schools was renewed. The program
of the Assistance to Sunday schools is working out.
10. The “Tolerance – Lessons of the Holocaust” Seminar was held in the
frameworks of the Summer Shorashim Camp
11. The Program on Recording of the Non-material Jewish Heritage was been
prepared.
Center of the Jewish education Web site address: http://www.cjeu.8m.com/
Methodical Web site – http://www.jewukr.org/center
Klezmer site http://klezmer.com.ua/
3.
INSTITUTE OF JEWISH STUDIES
(Director – Leonid Finberg)
1. Research on Jewish History and Culture in Ukraine (XIX – XX c.c.)
1.1. Rabbis and Greek Catholic Priests (led by Zh. Kovba)
1.2. Biographical interviews – Project of Record of Oral History «History
of the Jewish Family» (jointly with the research «Centropa» center (Austria)
(led by M. Karelshtein)
1.3. Database on the History of the Holocaust in Ukraine (led by V. Pokidailo)
1.4. Encyclopedia «Jews of Ukraine» (led by V. & L. Grinevich)
2. History of Jewish Arts in Ukraine
2.1. Life of the Jewish Heritage of Galitchina during Holocaust (led by
G. Glembotskaya)
2.2. History of the «Culture League» (led by B. Kozachenko)
2.3. Works of Jewish Art in Museums of Ukraine (I. Klimova, B. Kozachenko)
3. Education and Inter-cultural Interaction
3.1. «Cabinet» of Jewish history and Culture – educational CD development
(Y. Korogorodsky);
In 2004 3 CD’s were developed: “The History of the Holocaust”, “Jewish
Literature of Eastern Europe”, work on the ‘Review of the Eastern Europe
Jewry’, ‘The Dreifus and Beilis Cases’, ‘The Movement for Repatriation’
was started. “The Architecture of Shtetl” exhibition was organized in
Galitskaya Synagogue.
3.2. “The Essays on History of the Jews in Ukraine” schoolbook was prepared
for publication (for pupils of senior secondary schools forms) (Ed. By
V. Lubchenko).
3.3. The ‘Sources of Tolerance’ Exhibition (led by L. Finberg).
4. Archive of Jewish heritage in Ukraine
4.1. Personal archives of Jewish writers (led by N. Drobyazko)
4.2. History of Jewish Theaters in Ukraine (N. Drobyazko)
4.3. Database of the Artists of the Jewish Theme in Ukraine (led by E.
Shkolyarenko, I.Klimova)
4.4. Jewish Cinematograph (led by. V. Pokidailo)
4.5. Collection, archiving and description of Jewish photographs (led
by E. Shkoljarenko)
4.6. Archive of documents and family albums (led by E. Shkolyarenko, E.
Yudkovskaya)
4.7. Collection of posters of Jewish parties and movements (led by E.
Shkolyarenko, V.Pokidailo)
4.8. Old postcards (led by E. Shkolyarenko, V.Pokidailo)
4.9. Collection of fascist occupational announcements and orders as well
as anti-Semitic leaflets and caricatures of 1941-1943 designed for distribution
among the Soviet army and the civilian population
4.10. Art Collection of the Jewish Studies Institute (led by N. Drobjazko)
4.11. JOINT in Ukraine, 1920-1930 y.y. (led by M. Mitsel)
4.12. Library of the Institute of Jewish Studies (led by E. Judkovskaya)
4.13. Archive of contemporary Jewish newspapers (led by E. Judkovskaya)
5. PUBLICATION PROJECTS
Yury Morozov. Jewish Cinematographers of Ukraine in 1910–1945 / Artistic
design by P. Fishel, editor M. Petrovsky – Êiev, 2004.
Chaim Beider. Sketches of Jewish Writers.– Êiev, 2004. – 347 pages.
Edward Keret “Novels”// Transl. by A. Dubinskaya, E.Gilbo, A.Shevchenko,
Duh i Litera, 2004 – 43 pages.
Khaim Beider “Studies of the Jewish writers” ”// K, Institute of Jewish
Studies , 2004 – 347 pages.
David Harris “Hopes and Anxiety of the Beginning of the Century //” Transl.
by N. Velbovets – K., Duh I Litera, 2004
Euro-Asian Jewish Congress Yearbook/ ed. by V. Likhatchev, L. Finberg,
J.Zissels – K, Duh I Litera, 2004 – 574p.
M. Mitsel “Jews of Ukraine in 1943-1953 y.y. Studies on the Documentary
History” – K. Duh I Litera, 2004 – 362p.
OTHER PROGRAMS OF JEWISH STUDIES INSTITUTE
International Jewish Studies Conference «Jewish History and Culture in Central and East-European Countries»
Website
of the Jewish Studies Institute (led by Y.
Zaslavska)
You can find the website of the Jewish Studies Institute at www.judaica.kiev.ua.
Virtual Judaica Museum www.judaicamuseum.kiev.ua.
The work of the Institute of Jewish studies was sponsored by: Anne Frank
House, American Council of Learned Societies, American Jewish Congress,
Pincus Fund, Hanadiv Charitable Foundation, Claims Conference, Euro-Asian
Jewish Congress, The Jewish Agency for Israel Sochnut.
4. COMMITTEE ON REPATRIATION (VAAD ALIYA)
(DIRECTOR– IDA ONUFRIYCHUK)
There are 29 consultants working in 36 cities of Ukraine for the Committee
of Repatriation of Ukraine.
Local centers of the Committee report on monthly basis to the head office,
indicating data on repatriation, organizational interaction, and consultations.
During 2004 there were 10 trips of the “Zhasmin” ship, that transported
962 persons for repatriation, including 482 persons on the recommendation
of the Committee.
The documentary preparation was held for “Pitsum” compensations – from
Germany.
Activities were conducted on the following directions:
“Guest Tickets” Program for 101 persons.
The volunteer program «Sar El» was assisted for 99 persons.
824 insurance policies were given,
“Elit” program – 2 persons,
“Consignment” Program – 2 persons,
“Boarding House” program – 3 persons,
“Airplane Tickets” program – 79 persons.
3044 persons made repatriation to Israel from Ukraine during 2004.
5.
Committee for Preservation of Jewish Heritage
(Chief– prof.Genrih Filvarov)
This program is carried out jointly with the WJRO and the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress. The scientific - methodical center of the Committee had revealed and described 75 objects of Jewish communal property. 24 objects documents were worked out for the WJRO.
6.
Newspaper ‘Khadashot’
(editor-in-chief– Timur Litovchenko)
12
issues of newspaper were published during the year. In 2004 “Khadashot”
was distributed as a charity newspaper (free of charge) in Kyiv through
synagogue, "Khesed", "Magen–Avot", Joint and Sochnut
representatives. With the assistance of the "Press" organization
it was distributed to 400 Jewish organizations and communities in Ukraine.
The funding was provided by the sponsors of the Association and by the
WZO and the Jewish agency "Sochnut".
Since 1991 – there are 122 issues. The sponsors of the Vaad funded newspaper.
Internet address: http://www.hadashot.kiev.ua
7. Assistance to Righteous Gentile and their families.
The Vaad of Ukraine continues to provide assistance to the Righteous Gentile
and their families.
Unfortunately, because of problems at the Israeli Ministry of Interior
the documents on submitting were frozen. About 100 complete sets of the
documents were transferred to Israel under the given program.
8.
Camp "Shorashim"
(Director –Dr. Anatoliy Podolsky)
In August 2004 the Vaad of Ukraine had organized with the support of the Jewish Agency "Sochnut " and carried out in city Nikolaevka of Crimea area children's camp "Shorashim". About 110 children from Ukraine and Belarus interested in Jewish history and culture participated in the camp. During the rest children had excursions, listened and discussed lectures on the history of Jewish people in communities of the mentioned area.
ZIONIST
FEDERATION OF UKRAINE
The Zionist federation of Ukraine has carried out following activities
January-December:
1. Publications, “The Hadashot” Newspaper ;
2. Informational Consultations for repatriations;
3. Support of the Zionist Organizations;
4. Hebrew at the universities of Ukraine
5. Funding and preparation of the “Ha-Esod” in Ukrainian for students
of the program;
6. Jul. 5-7, 2004 Organising of the Annual Enlarged Board Meeting;
INTER-ETHNIC
PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS of THE VAAD OF UKRAINE
The Congress of the National Communities of Ukraine (CNCU) was organized
in December 2001 under Vaad’ initiative by a group of national communities
of Ukraine.
In 2004 the CNCU has carried out following projects:
January 13-15th -. The round table “Problems of the Ethnic National Rebirth
in Ukraine”;
March 1 . – Signing of the Agreement on Interaction and Cooperation with
Viktor Yuschenko Political Block “Nasha Ukraina”
June 23-25 – Organization of the Conference on Educational Problems at
the National Communities of Ukraine;
July 23-25 – Organization of the Seminal “Youth Leaders of the National
Communities of Ukraine”, lectures, round tables.
July 25-27. Tutor seminar “ Interethnic children's camp “The Sources of
Tolerance ”.
August 3-26. Interethnic children's camp “ Sources of tolerance ”.
September 22 – Signing of Agreement Interaction and Cooperation with Party
of Industrialists and Businessmen Party of Ukraine;
October 8-10 – Seminar for Experts “Monitoring of the Election Campaign
in the Context of the Inter-Ethnic and Inter-Religious Relations”;
October-December – Monitoring of the Election Campaign in the Context
of the Inter-Ethnic and Inter-Religious Relations – 2 brochures as an
outcome were issued;
October 15-17 – Seminar for Mass Media Journalists: 65 representatives
of 13 communities, 50 Mass Media;
November 19 – Presentation of the Children’s Club of Tolerance;
December 10-12 – Seminar of teachers of the“ Interethnic children's camp
“The Sources of Tolerance ”.
Twelve numbers of “The Forum of Nations” newspapers were issued from beginning
of the year.
INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS OF THE VAAD OF UKRAINE within the FRAMEWORK of the EURO-ASIAN JEWISH CONGRESS
During
2004 year the EAJC’s program directorate (Luydmila Braginskaya - Director)
has completed the following works:
1. Program «The EAJC web-site » (www.eajc.org).
1.1. Was created and was constantly updated the section “Anti-Semitism”
(in Russian and English).
1.2. Parts: “Announcements”, “News”, “Mass-media”, “Programs” are also
updated regularly. The materials were published in journal “The Jews of
Euro-Asia” and in EAJC Yearbook.
1.3. Internet – versions of ¹ 3 (4) - 2003 and ¹ 1 (5) – 2004, ¹ 2 (6)
– 2004 è ¹ 3 (7) – 2004 of journal "The Jews of Eurasia" were
prepared and published.
1.4. Congress’ analysts for the OSCE conference against Anti-Semitism
that was held in Vienna and Berlin in 2003 and 2004 prepared the reports.
Internet versions of this reports “Fundamental trends of anti-Semitism
in Australia and the Eurasia states» were published in the section “Programs/Analytics”
in Russian and English.
1.5. Section “General Council” just has started to develop”.
2.
Program «Monitoring of Jewish Life».
2.1. «Monitoring of community life»
2.1.1. Monitoring of Jewish and national mass media in the regions of
the EAJC’s activity is in progress.
2.1.2. Monitoring releases on Jewish life in the states of Eurasia are
disseminated weekly.
2.2.
"Expert-analytical section of the monitoring» (res. Leonid Finberg,
ex. Vyacheslav Likhachev)
Vyacheslav Likhachev prepared analytical report “Anti-Semitism as a PR-strategy
in Ukraine”.
Russian and English editions of a brochure “Fundamental trends of anti-Semitism
in Australia and the Eurasia states” (in Russian and English) containing
analytical reports on manifestations of Anti-Semitism in Australia, and
other Eurasian countries including anti-Semitic acts in Armenia, Belarus,
Bulgaria, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Moldova, Russia, Ukraine and Uzbekistan
were prepared, edited and published in order to be presented at the OSCE
Conference against Anti-Semitism. Delegation of the EAJC took part in
the this Conference. Members of the delegation addressed the audience
with analytical reports.
Analytical materials are published in the website section “Programs/Analytics”.
3. Publication program.
3.1.
Program: journal “The Jews of Euro-Asia” (chief editor. Vyacheslav Likhachev)
The following work was completed for the reporting period:
1. Russian and English versions of 3 issues of the journal "The Jews
of Euro-Asia" were published:
Preparations of the materials for the journal “The Jews of Euro-Asia”#8
(1) – 2005 are in progress.
4.
Program «Tolerance – Lessons of the Holocaust”.
On February 24, 2004 a “try-out” seminar in the framework of the program
«Tolerance – Lessons of the Holocaust» organized by the EAJC in cooperation
with the Ministry of Education of Moldova, was held in Kishinev (Moldova).
More than 50 history teachers representing all Moldova regions were invited
to take part in the seminar.
The seminar was initiated by the Ministry of Education of Moldova and
was a “try-out” one for the program «Tolerance – Lessons of the Holocaust”
carried out by the EAJC.
A lot of preparations for the seminar were made to adjust the program
to the concept of the project «Tolerance – Lessons of the Holocaust” taking
into account local specifics of the Holocaust history and contemporary
situation.
Comparing to other post-Soviet countries, it can be stated that Moldova
makes its first steps in understanding the lessons of the Holocaust.
But national Concept of history teaching “from local to universal” complies
with innovative pedagogical trends and meets international standards.
There is a reason to expect that realization of the EAJC’s program «Tolerance
– Lessons of the Holocaust” will be successful in Moldova due to the adequate
preparations.
Starting from February 2004 the EAJC supports the project “Tolerance –
Lessons of the Holocaust, teaching Holocaust history in universities of
Georgia”. The Program is a continuation of the program “Tolerance – Lessons
of the Holocaust, teaching Holocaust history in secondary schools of Georgia”
Two seminars for teachers and pupils of secondary schools were organized
and a picture contest for children.
Tbilisi
State Pedagogical University, Tbilisi State University of Language and
Culture and Tbilisi Center of Holocaust History Studies organized the
first seminar, March 20-21, 2004 and the second one, May 1-2, 2004. More
than 60 tutors, students and post-graduates representing different Universities
of Georgia, the Jewish communities and local organizations took part in
every seminar. Prominent professionals – professors in political science,
philosophers, psychologists, sociologists, historians– representing the
best Universities of Georgia, were invited to be the tutors at the seminar.
Based on the evaluation of both participants and guest it was agreed that
the seminars were organized on a high level. It was repeatedly stressed
on huge social-political and educational significance of the program,
and the necessity of its further development in such a multi-national
and multi-confessional country as Georgia.
In
May international pupils' work contest 2004 was held in Kiev (Ukraine)
for pupils from Moldova and Ukraine. More than 70 works were presented
at the contest and divided into the following nominations: scientific-research,
local lore study and search and works of art (artistic understanding of
Holocaust). Based on preliminary section and reviews by professional jury
35 works were admitted to take part in final presentation. In the course
of the contest mini-seminars and testing of the participants were held,
which helped to organize productive roundtables and discuss both historical
and contemporary issues.
Spring 2004; periodic republican contest of pupils’ artistic works took
place in Belarus. It was prepared and carried out by the Union of Belarus
Jewish Public Associations and Communities.
In accordance with the plan of realization of the program «Tolerance –
Lessons of the Holocaust”, which was approved by the Claims Conference,
the EAJC in cooperation with local Jewish communities and education ministries
of Central Asian stated to carry out seminars for history teachers in
secondary (non-Jewish) schools of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan
from June 21 to July 2.
On June 21-23, 2004 seminar «Tolerance – Lessons of the Holocaust” for
history teachers in secondary schools of Kazakhstan organized by the Euro-Asian
Jewish Congress and the Mitzva Association of Kazakhstan was held in Almaty.
The Ministry of Education of Kazakhstan and the Assembly of Kazakhstan
Nations selected teachers for participation in the seminar.
It was the second seminar in the republic, aiming to broaden and to develop
the knowledge about Holocaust, to introduce new topics, to discuss of
work during the previous study year.
38 teachers of different nationalities representing 14 regions of the
republic took part in the second seminar. Tutors of the EAJC delivered
eight lectures: “Lessons of Holocaust and the tasks for contemporary teacher”,
“Genocide against everyone: Nazi regime – stages of forming”, “Children
of the Catastrophe”, “Forms and methods of extracurricular work on upbringing
tolerance”, “Self-identification and xenophobia”, “Anti-Semitism and Nazism”,
“Reflections of Holocaust in contemporary world” and “Religious ethics
- a ground for tolerance”. There were also three lectures by local tutors:
“Contribution of Kazakhstan Jews to cultural and social-economic development
of the state”, “Kazakhstan. XX century: exiles, deportations, evacuation,
social genocide” and “Islam and Koran – sources of consent and tolerance”.
Within the framework of the seminar two round table discussions were held
on inter-ethnic relations in the region and prospects of upbringing tolerance
in schools.
Leading
public figures and politicians of Kazakhstan took part in the seminar,
its work was widely covered by republican mass media.
Most of the participants were highly professional teachers, and, which
is even more important, they revealed frank interest concerning the seminar’s
theme and were personally motivated. Based on the questionnaires filled
in by the teachers, actual interest was shown in discussions on problems
of xenophobia and intolerance in the region, willingness of the teachers
to work on developing tolerance among pupils through the horrifying example
of the Catastrophe of European Jewry.
June
25-27, 2004 seminar «Tolerance – Lessons of the Holocaust” for history
teachers in secondary schools of Kyrgyzstan organized by the Euro-Asian
Jewish Congress, the Ministry of Education of Kyrgyzstan, Jewish Charitable
Foundation “Khesed Tikva” and the Society for Jewish Culture of Kyrgyzstan
“Menorah” was held in Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan).
The Ministry of Education of Kyrgyzstan selected teachers for participation
in the seminar.
25 teachers from 5 regions of Kyrgyzstan representing different nationalities
took part in the seminar.
The Seminar in Bishkek for teachers was the first, like “try-out” one.
Its aim was, firstly, explain the teachers the necessity of studying Holocaust
in order to bring up tolerance, and, secondly, give necessary information
about Holocaust. Methods of teaching were also addressed during the seminar.
Tutors from the EAJC delivered eight lectures: “Teaching Holocaust in
schools: concepts and forms”, “From Nazism to the Catastrophe”, “A person
during the Catastrophe. Resistance. Righteous”, “Didactic aspects of forming
terms “Holocaust”, “Discrimination”, “Tolerance””, “History of Jewish
people in the context of global history”, “Xenophobia and tolerance: definitions
and terms”, “Holocaust and World War II” and “Religious ethics - a ground
for tolerance”. And local lecturer spoke on topics concerning regional
issues: “History and traditions of joint residence of nations in Kyrgyzstan”,
“Contribution of Jews to development of the region”.
Within the framework of the seminar two roundtables held on issues pertaining
to inter-ethnic relations in the region and actual tasks of contemporary
teacher. Leading public figures and politicians of Kyrgyzstan together
with representatives of Israeli diplomatic corps took part in the roundtables.
Teachers, who took part in the seminar, were quite different by their
background. There were teachers from the capital, who had experience in
interactive trainings “Debate” and participants of international educational
projects, and teachers from rural areas. Partly it made work more difficult,
but it wasn’t a decisive factor.
The sessions were in premises of the Charitable Jewish Foundation “Khesed
Tikva”, which, indisputably, had positive effect on the atmosphere at
the seminar. Participants of the seminar had a chance to get acquainted
with Jewish culture, religion and traditions of charity by illustrative
examples. Close interaction (almost “unity”) with Jewish culture, on the
one hand, made the participants more sensible to understand the necessity
of Holocaust studies, and on the other hand, contributed to promotion
of tolerance and mutual understanding within the group.
June
29 – July 1, 2004 seminar «Tolerance – Lessons of the Holocaust” for history
teachers in secondary schools was held in Samarkand (Uzbekistan). 36 teachers
of different ethnic origins representing Samarkand schools attended the
seminar, which was organized by the EAJC, the Ministry of Education of
Uzbekistan, Department of education in the Samarkand region, Jewish-Bukharian
culture-charitable center of Samarkand. The Ministry of Education of Uzbekistan
made a selection of teachers for participation in the seminar.
Like in Kyrgyzstan, it was a kind of “try-out” seminar with the similar
tasks and objectives. The only difference were lectures concerning regional
issues delivered by local tutors: “History and traditions of joint residence
on nations in Uzbekistan and Central Asia”, “History of Jews in Central
Asia” and “Uzbekistan. XX century: deportations, social genocide, evacuation”.
Within the framework of the seminar a roundtable held on issues of inter-ethnic
relations in the region and actual tasks of contemporary teacher. Officials
representing regional and municipal educational departments took part
in the roundtable. The teachers also enjoyed a trip through Jewish areas
of Samarkand and visited the “Gumbaz” – synagogue of Bukharian-Jews and
museum.
During three seminars we prepared the ground art and research work contest
on the topic «Tolerance – Lessons of the Holocaust”, found engaged teachers,
who are ready to undertake to continue the project in every region of
Uzbekistan.
Every participant of the seminar received methodical materials, book “Beyond
comprehension. Theologians and philosophers about Holocaust” and literature
published by local Jewish communities.
After the seminar teachers got certificates confirming their participation.
On July 2, 2004 one-day seminar «Tolerance – Lessons of the Holocaust”
was held in Tashkent (Uzbekistan) for 42 persons: teachers, representatives
of national community centers of Tashkent, students of the Open University
of Israel. The Euro-Asian Jewish Congress and Tashkent Jewish Community
Cultural Center organized the seminar.
Tutors representing the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress delivered four lectures:
“Origins of great hatred: prehistory of Holocaust”, “Come out from the
shades of Auschwitz chimneys: Anti-Semitism after Holocaust”, “Holocaust
and Jewish resistance” and “Lessons of the Holocaust and prospects of
inter-ethnic understanding and tolerance”. Local tutor’s lecture was “Life
in ghetto. Experience of young prisoner”. Representatives of Jewish community
and Israeli diplomatic corps in Uzbekistan addressed to the participants
with welcoming speeches during the opening ceremony.
Concepts and programs of forthcoming study and methodological seminars
adjusted to historic, inter-faith and international features of the regions
were developed in cooperation with Jewish communities of Azerbaijan, Armenia,
Georgia, and Moldova.
New application to the Claims Conference, which objective is more precise
study and teaching of Holocaust in 10 states of the CIS, was prepared
and submitted. The application will be considered in December 2004.
As the JDC office in Jerusalem breaking previous agreements changed the
system of accepting report that caused the stops in money reimbursement
and the implementation of the program was temporary frozen.
5.
Program Children camp «Sources of Tolerance».
In August 2004 an international and interethnic three-week summer camp
for children "Sources of
tolerance" was carried out in Odessa (Ukraine). 160 children and
50 tutors, psychologists and teachers representing 15 national communities
of Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, including, Russian, Ukrainian, Jewish, German,
Polish, Moldavian, Armenian, Crimean-Tatar, Bulgarian, Greek, Rumanian,
Hungarian took part in the seminar. Unique concept of the camp get children
acquainted with national traditions of each other, but also to live each
day in different ethnic traditions.
Preparations to the camp were made together with Jewish communities of
Moldova and Byelorussia.
Within the framework of the program several seminars for tutors of the
summer camp for children. Schedule of the seminar included analysis and
summarization of the summer camp results, discussion on development of
the project, action plan for 2005 and psychological trainings.
6.
Program "Euro Asian Committee on restitution".
6.1. Section "Communal property objects detection and recording"
(res. prof. Genrikh Filvarov).
Work on specification of the lists and records of Jewish communal property
was carried out in line with work on description of buildings and structures
that belonged to the Jewish communities before. 75 passports on objects
of formerly Jewish property in Ukraine and Byelorussia were completed
and prepared for further processing. 24 passports on objects of formerly
Jewish property in Ukraine worked out for the World Jewish Restitution
organization. Database on the objects of Jewish property was updated,
verified and developed.
7.
Program «Help to small communities».
1-th quarter of 2004. Allocation the grant from Jewish Community of Georgia
for the program “Tolerances – the Lessons of the Holocaust teaching the
Holocaust history in the institutes of higher education of Georgia”. This
program is continuation of the program “Tolerances – the Lessons of the
Holocaust teaching of the history of the Holocaust in the secondary schools".
In its framework were organized two seminars for teacher and pupils of
the secondary school and also competitions of children’s art works.
2-nd quarter of 2004. On the request of Ajar Jewish community Chairman
Emil Krupnik received an allocation for hot lunches program for poor members
of community.
Mr.Semen Shoikhet, president of the AJOCM, and Mr.Leonid Levin, president
of the UBJCO, the EAJC General Council members received an allocation
for the travel expenses of children from Jewish communities of Belarus
and Moldova to Crimea.
3-rd quarter of 2004. International summer camp for children “Sources
of Tolerance” was organized in Ukraine in August 2004. Teachers and youth
from different national communities from Belarus, Moldova, and Ukraine
took part in the camp.
Mr.Semen Shoikhet, president of the AJOCM, and Mr.Leonid Levin, president
of the UBJCO, the EAJC General Council members received an allocation
for the travel expenses of children from Jewish communities of Belarus
and Moldova.
Mr.Emil Kalo, the EAJC General Council member, president of the “Shalom”
Jewish Society of Bulgaria, Jewish Community of Bulgaria received an allocation
for renovation of Jewish day school in Sophia.
Mr.Leonid Levin, the EAJC General Council member, president of the UBJCO
received an allocation for construction of a memorial to 1137 Jews of
Gorodei, who were killed by Nazis during World War II.
Second World Congress of Litvaks (Jews natives of Lithuania) was held
in Vilnius (Lithuania) in August 2004. Leaders of the EAJC provided financial
support for organizational and security needs for the Forum in Vilnius.
The EAJC provided financial support to participants of various events
representing the countries of the EAJC’s activity to reimburse travel
expenses at the 5-th International festival-seminar “Klezfest in Ukraine”,
Annual International Scholar Conference “Jewish Culture in the Countries
of Central and Eastern Europe”, Kievsko-Proskurovskaya (Khmelnitskaya)
summer school on Judaic for students and post-graduates from the CIS and
Baltic countries (in cooperation with “Sefer” center and International
Solomon University).
4
–th quarter of 2004. On the request of the EAJC General Council member
Rimma Golovina Jewish Cultural Center of Tashkent (Uzbekistan) received
an allocation for their program activities.
Since from 2002 with the aid of the EAJC the newspaper “Magen David” of
Jewish community of Armenia is published monthly. On request of General
Council member and chairman of Armenian Jewish community Rimma Varzhapetian
the grant for publication of the newspaper was given for 2004.
In order to cover transport expenses for participants in different activities
– representatives of different Jewish communities-members of the EAJC
member was provided a support in order to held Crimean autumn school on
such topics as Judaic for pupils from CIS countries. (Together with center
“Sefer” and International Solomon University”.).
8.
Matzoth for the Jewish communities
In March – April 2004 the Matzoth was purchased and delivered from Kiev
to Jewish communities of Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova,
Kazakhstan and Central Asian states. Program directorate coordinated the
matzoth production and delivery to the abovementioned states. It was intended
to provide needy members of the communities with matzoth free of charge.
Jewish Community (JC) of Azerbaijan received 2,500 kg, JC of Armenia –
800 kg, JC of Belarus – 4,000 kg, JC of Georgia - 2,500 kg, JC of Kazakhstan
and Central Asia – 14,000 kg., Moldova – 2,200 kg, JC of Russia – 36,000
kg and JC of Ukraine – 15,000 kg
9.
International Conference “Sefer”.
On February 2-5, 2004 Moscow hosted the Eleventh Annual International
Interdisciplinary Conference of Judaic Studies "Sefer". The
EAJC reimbursed travel and dwelling expenses for the participants from
the CIS countries.
10.
Corporate style.
Within the framework of the program calendars for 5765 with synagogues
of Eurasia, Australia, New Zealand and the EAJC’s symbolic were designed
and produced.
11.
Leaders’ seminar.
Second leader’s seminar took place in Kiev (Ukraine) on June 2-6, 2004.
Its objective was to create the ground for the fruitful dialogue between
young community leaders in post-soviet space and Israel, and to strengthen
the cooperation between Jewish leaders in all spheres.
Young Jewish activists representing Belarus, Moldova, Russian and Ukraine
participated in the seminar.
Schedule of the seminar included several blocks. Psychological block included
such topics as: “A conflict and its components: positions, interests,
criteria, perception of an opponent and projection phenomenon”, “Destructive
behavior in a conflict, cooperation”, “Intermediation in a conflict”,
“Intercultural communication. Cultural codes.”… Block of lectures included:
“What does it mean – a community? Types of communities – past and present”,
“Models of communal life – Europe, Russia, America, Israel. House, exile,
Diaspora” and “The East and the West”, “Community as a system” and “Inter-community
contacts – development of tolerance”, lectures-discussions on the topics:
“Boiling Pot” and “Religion and culture”, “Jewish Community in the context
of inter-ethnic relations” and “Defending peace. Jewish people between
the God and Human”.
Special attention was paid to project management and fundraising. During
the previous seminar of this series (December 2003) the participants were
proposed to discuss projects for the communities. Tutors get a lot of
ideas from the participants. A project contest is planned for the next
seminar; the best project will receive an allocation from the EAJC.
On December 2004 seminar for leaders in Georgia was held. 20 participants
from Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia worked on the seminar. The same seminar
was held in Kyrgyzstan on 23-26 of December where participated people
from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. The main work was concentrated
on the psychological leadership training (“Leadership, its styles”, “
Values and motivations of Jewish Leaders”, “Leader and its team. Effective
influence”, “Team work. Choosing leaders”, “Techniques of negotiations:
attacking the problem and not an opponent”, “Technique of negotiations:
analysis of interests, choosing mutually beneficial materials” and so
on.).
The lectures were delivered on the following topics: “Old and New forms
of Jewish identity”, “Structure of the Jewish World”, “Jewish community
(systematic approach)” and “International and inter-ethnic dialogue of
Jewish communities”, “Absorption of the last wave of aliyah and its leaders”,
“Soviet and religious population of Israel - conflict or dialogue”, “Communal
economics in Israel”. Also a round table “Israel and Jewish communities
in CIS countries” was organized. As nowadays the activity of Jewish communities
depends on leader ability to provide financing for the community so the
participants studied basic project management and fundraising.
It is planned to carry out 4 seminars in the framework of this program.
Final seminar will take place in Jerusalem, the capital of Israel.
12.
Program on Jewish demography.
Demographic research based on the results of Ukrainian population census
was completed due to the support of the Congress and the JDC (Ukraine).
Josef Zissels,
Chairman of the Vaad of Ukraine