After a hiatus forced upon Ukraine?s Jews by decades of communist rule, this past week saw the official revival of the Zionist movement in the Ukraine with the convening of the Founding Conference of the Zionist Federation of the Ukraine. The Ukraine was the home of the first Jewish pioneering movements, BILU and Hibat Zion, in the early 1880?s, but Zionist activity was eventually forced underground with the advent of Communist rule.
The Founding Conference, held in Kiev, was organized by Yosef Zissels, formerly imprisoned by Soviet authorities for Zionist activity, and the Jewish Agency for Israel. The Ukrainian Zionist Federation is now officially part of the World Zionist Organization (WZO) and will thus be able to participate in official functions and gatherings of the WZO. In attendance at the Conference in Kiev were many young Ukrainian Jews, publicly identifying with Israel and reflective of the fact that a large percentage of olim (immigrants) who arrived in Israel in 2001 came from the Ukraine. Also in attendance was the Head of the Department for Zionist Activities of the WZO and member of the Jewish Agency Executive, Dr. David Breakstone. The Jewish Agency reported that Dr. Breakstone told the gathering that he supports their efforts and that he is strengthened by their demonstration of solidarity with Israel at this time.
The Founding Conference, held in Kiev, was organized by Yosef Zissels, formerly imprisoned by Soviet authorities for Zionist activity, and the Jewish Agency for Israel. The Ukrainian Zionist Federation is now officially part of the World Zionist Organization (WZO) and will thus be able to participate in official functions and gatherings of the WZO. In attendance at the Conference in Kiev were many young Ukrainian Jews, publicly identifying with Israel and reflective of the fact that a large percentage of olim (immigrants) who arrived in Israel in 2001 came from the Ukraine. Also in attendance was the Head of the Department for Zionist Activities of the WZO and member of the Jewish Agency Executive, Dr. David Breakstone. The Jewish Agency reported that Dr. Breakstone told the gathering that he supports their efforts and that he is strengthened by their demonstration of solidarity with Israel at this time.