Ukraine is home to one of the largest Jewish communities in the world, and it has a long and rich history. Many great Jewish stories and traditions emanate from Ukraine; sadly it has also been the site of some of the greatest tragedies in history.
While Ukraine was under communist rule, following the end of World War II, religions of all types were forbidden. Several courageous rabbis maintained Jewish traditions and even operated schools underground, but it was illegal for people to publicly identify as Jewish. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian Jews immigrated to Israel; fortunately, some stayed behind, determined to rebuild or start anew.
Over the past 30 years, thanks to a lot of hard work by very driven and dedicated people, many vibrant Jewish communities have been established throughout the country. The synagogues, community centers, schools and orphanages are symbols of the commitment to- and investment in Jewish communal life. The people are very proud of their rich heritage, culture and traditions.
Before the Russian invasion in February 2022, most Jews lived in Dnipro, Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odessa, Lviv and Uman. Today, many Jews are among the millions of internally displaced Ukrainians; some have moved to the Western parts of the country, at least temporarily.
The estimates of how many Jews live in Ukraine vary tremendously based on the definition of "Jewish." In recent months, many people of Jewish heritage have become more interested in and engaged with the Jewish communities, as the war continues to take a toll emotionally and spiritually as well as physically.
JRNU continues to support the many communities across Ukraine, in large cities and remote villages. We provide aid to all those in need, and encourage individuals to remain connected to community members and leaders who are a source of comfort during the ongoing crisis.
