A message to American Jews with Ukrainian/Russian roots: why I encourage you to stand with Ukraine and transcend your historical pain
Ukraine is a nation that proves that beautiful, inspirational, hopeful and true change is possible. Only a hundred years ago, Jews fled for their lives from pogroms. Today, a Jewish man is the president of this country, elected in a fair and free election. His grandparents’ families died in the Holocaust during the Nazi occupation of Ukraine. He is openly Jewish. In 2019, the Ukrainian people elected Volodymyr Zelensky by a landslide with more than 73% of the vote (https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-48007487).
Ukraine has built monuments commemorating the Jewish victims of the Holocaust. Synagogues in Ukraine have been restored and functional. Pilgrimages of Jews continued to Uman, a sight of Jewish religious spiritual awakening. Israeli Jews frequently travel back and forth to Ukraine because they feel a bond and connection to their birthplace. Even now, Israeli’s support Ukraine in its fight for survival, sending convoys of medical experts and volunteers willing to give their lives for Ukraine. I myself felt this as I repeatedly went back since 2007, and saw and heard the changes with my own eyes and ears.
Change is possible and can be beautiful. Please believe that the pain of our ancestors is valid and understood. But so is the need for recognition of all that Ukraine and its people have done to move forward and be a better nation, one of love, friendship and hope. This enormous change is being threatened by a man who claims that Ukrainians are Nazis, fascists, suppressing the rights of minorities or Russian speakers. Ukraine is a bilingual state where people speak Russian and Ukrainian at will. People practice all faiths. Students from around the world come to study at its universities. Change is real, possible, beautiful, and a fact. Ukraine has a strong sense of patriotism and even nationalism. But that is also something that every independent state has and leans on when its sovereignty is threatened.
Recognizing our own faults does absolve others – that is indisputable. But, if we don’t sow the seeds of love and lead by example, show compassion, recognize great achievements and steps toward peace and equality, then there will be nothing worth reaping for our next generation. We will continue to pass down only painful memories of pogroms instead of creating a better reality and creating a peaceful future. Only in hindsight might some of us say - “if we only knew”. We, American Jews, have a golden opportunity to see what is happening in the moment and support a possible future where further achievement and reconciliation can exist. But if Ukraine falls today, if President Zelensky and his family are killed, if Ukrainian have no home in which to continue their reforms, then progress and reconciliation also do not have any chance of survival. Nor will the chance of our own Tikun Olam, our own peaceful mitzvot that far exceed our ancestral need to hold onto anger, pain, and hatred.
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