In search of a lost people: Jews in present-day Ukrainian historiography

• Published in: East european Jewish affairs Vol. 33; no. 1; pp. 67 - 82
• Main Author: Petrovsky-Shtern, Yohanan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Taylor & Francis Group 01.07.2003; Frank Cass
• Subjects: Cultural Pluralism; East European studies; Ethnic Groups; Geopolitics; Historiography; History; History and sciences of religions; Intellectuals; Israel; Jews; Marginality; Minorities; Modern and contemporary Judaism; Otherness; Social history; Sociology, ethnography; Soviet studies; Ukraine; Historiography; Politics; Jew; Minority
• ISSN: 1350-1674; 1743-971X
• DOI: 10.1080/13501670308577989

A discussion of perceptions of Jews as cultural, religious, economic, & ethnic aliens in Ukrainian historiography looks at initial results of the new Ukrainian historiography aimed at breaking down these old prejudices & stereotypes. It is noted that myths, biases, & misunderstandings about Jews increased during the Soviet period & the new historiography did not emerge until reestablishment of Ukrainian statehood in 1991. The focus is on new patterns of thought that reflect Jewish & Ukrainian perceptions of modern geopolitical circumstances. The impact of the events of 1991-1993 on Jewish & Ukrainian intellectuals is explored, along with specific views of Jews/Judaism that inform political histories of Ukraine that almost universally avoid Jewish themes. It is contended that the omission of East European Jewish history from Ukrainian history reflects a general approach in Ukrainian scholarship that "avoids the integration of Ukrainian history into the polyethnic East European context." Emphasis is placed on the need for Ukrainian historiography to incorporate Jewish history in order to be complete. J. Lindroth