The Legacy of Holocaust Memory in Contemporary Ukraine

Rabbi Jonathan Markovitch, Kyiv's chief rabbi and senior Chabad emissary, has a deeply personal connection to the Holocaust, rooted in his family's history. His grandmother survived Auschwitz, while his grandfather's family was murdered in their village in Ukraine. Markovitch recalls, “They were burned alive... I remember the number tattooed on her arm.” This legacy has shaped his conviction that Jews must remain strong to prevent such horrors from recurring.

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More than a decade after his military service in Israel, Markovitch chose to move to Ukraine, a country where Jewish life had been severely diminished. He noted that while approximately 50,000 Jews reside in Kyiv, many lack basic knowledge of their Jewish identity due to decades of Soviet policies aimed at erasing Jewish culture. Markovitch emphasized the importance of rebuilding Jewish life, stating, “If we do not support each other and rebuild, then the Nazis won.”

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Babyn Yar, a site of mass murder where Nazis executed 33,000 Jews in September 1941, serves as a poignant reminder of the Holocaust's legacy. For many years, the site was not officially recognized as a Jewish massacre, with victims referred to as “Soviet citizens.” Markovitch criticized this historical erasure, explaining that recognition has evolved slowly, with some officials still reluctant to acknowledge the specific suffering of Jews.

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Despite the ongoing war in Ukraine, Markovitch observes a troubling trend: the persistence and growth of antisemitism. He noted that global narratives often conflate criticism of Israel with hostility toward Jews, stating, “They say Israel kills children... and from that, they draw conclusions about Jews everywhere.” This disconnect highlights the challenges faced by Jewish communities in Ukraine today.

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In response to the needs of the community, synagogues in Kyiv have transformed into relief centers, providing food, medicine, and social support, particularly for the elderly. Markovitch reported distributing thousands of food packages monthly, emphasizing the importance of community solidarity. Additionally, he noted a positive shift in education, with the Ministry of Education beginning to include Jewish history in curricula, a significant change from previous practices.

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Markovitch advocates for a balanced approach to Holocaust remembrance, urging that while it is crucial to remember the past, it is equally important not to be defined by it. He stated, “We must never forget the events that were done to us... but we must not live inside it.” This perspective underscores the need for both remembrance and resilience in the face of ongoing challenges.

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• “I remember the number tattooed on her arm.” — Rabbi Jonathan Markovitch

The Jerusalem Post

• “If we do not support each other and rebuild, then the Nazis won.” — Rabbi Jonathan Markovitch

The Jerusalem Post

• “And from that, they draw conclusions about Jews everywhere.” — Rabbi Jonathan Markovitch

The Jerusalem Post

• “We must never forget the events that were done to us,” — Rabbi Jonathan Markovitch

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This narrative reflects the ongoing struggle of Jewish communities in Ukraine to preserve their identity and memory while confronting contemporary challenges, including rising antisemitism and the impact of war.

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