On Monday, January 20, a three-hour roundtable discussion on the preservation and protection of Jewish cemeteries took place. The event brought together more than 60 interested participants from Ukraine and abroad.

The meeting was opened by the organizers and partners: Alexandra Fishel, Head of Educational Programs at ESJF; Danylo Radyvylov, PhD in History and Deputy Director of the A. Yu. Krymskyi Institute of Oriental Studies of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine; Olena Zaslavska, Administrative Director of the International Interdisciplinary Certificate Program in Jewish Studies; and Vitalii Kamozin, Operations Director of the United Jewish Community of Ukraine. Representatives of the Center for Jewish Art at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem also joined the discussion.

The event began with a lecture by Kateryna Malakhova, PhD, who spoke about the mysteries and meanings of Jewish cemeteries.

Following the lecture, researchers and local historians from different regions of Ukraine presented 13 projects, sharing their practical experiences and initiatives aimed at protecting Jewish cemeteries.

What the organizers and participants say about the event

Olena Zaslavska

I am very grateful to everyone who found the opportunity to join this event. This roundtable has already become the second successful joint project with the ESJF and we hope for continued fruitful cooperation.

Alexandra Fishel

We are pleased with this partnership and collaboration, because the protection of historical heritage is impossible without a committed and engaged community.

Vitalii Telychko

I gained great satisfaction and was amazed to see how many proactive people are researching and studying this field. My respect to everyone involved. Thank you for the roundtable.

Mykhailo Syrotko

It was truly a great event that broadens one’s perspective.

Ilona Lisnykovska

Thank you for organizing this roundtable! The presentations were excellent and highly professional. They are truly inspiring for new professional achievements.

Tetiana Fedoriv

The program of the roundtable was designed in such a way that everyone had the opportunity to be heard. This is very important, as it gives you the feeling that your work with Jewish cemeteries is meaningful and needed.

I sincerely thank the organizers and participants for such an interesting meeting. I very much hope that this initiative will continue!

Vadym Yablonskyi

My sincere thanks to ESJF, the International Interdisciplinary Certificate Program in Jewish Studies, and the United Jewish Community of Ukraine for such an incredibly interesting event.

The roundtable was organized by ESJF European Jewish Cemeteries Initiative with the support of the German Federal Foreign Office, in partnership with the International Interdisciplinary Certificate Program in Jewish Studies under the auspices of the A. Yu. Krymskyi Institute of Oriental Studies of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, and in cooperation with the United Jewish Community of Ukraine.