Speaking at the opening of the Kyiv Jewish Forum 2020, President Volodymyr Zelensky noted that the Jewish community has a special role in the life of the country, and Ukraine has always been open and respects all religious confessions. As confirmation, he reminded that such Jewish holidays as Rosh Hashanah, Pesach and Hanukkah have been recently given the status of public holidays.
“It is important for all of us to work together to prevent xenophobia, intolerance and anti-Semitism. Work together to develop tolerance and respect for all nationalities and faiths. I wish all speakers and participants of the forum fruitful discussions and debates, in which the truth will certainly be born. The truth that will make this world kinder and better,” Zelensky noted.
One of the ample proofs of the friendly relations between the two nations is the presence of numerous facts of the salvation of Jews by Ukrainians during the Holocaust. Israel's Yad Vashem National Memorial awards such people the title of the Righteous Among the Nations.
“I would like to take this opportunity to note the excellent initiative of the Jewish Confederation of Ukraine called “The Righteous People of My City.” This project is dedicated to the memory of the Ukrainians who risked their own lives to save Jews during World War II. They are a role model for all subsequent generations,” the president said.
As part of the project “The Righteous People of My City”, initiated by the JCU President Boris Lozhkin, 22 streets and a mini-park have already been named after the Righteous; 5 memorial signs have been installed and a Memorial has been unveiled. 8 more streets in the cities and villages where the Righteous lived are expecting the renaming.
As a reminder, Kyiv Jewish Forum 2020 has been organized by the Jewish Confederation of Ukraine together with the Jerusalem Post and takes place online on September 8-9. 45 speakers from around the world take part in the KJF 2020 discussion panels.