Outside of The Great Choral Synagogue in Kyiv, Ukraine

The Violent History—and Remarkable Transformation—of Jewish Life in Ukraine

When Russia attacked Ukraine, President Vladimir Putin stated that his goal was “denazification.” Historians agree that there is no substance to this claim—and that by invoking Nazism, Putin is attempting to weaponize the trauma of World War II to justify an invasion, and the many lives it has cost. 

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Russian Aggression through the eyes of Eastern Europe with Konstanty Gebert and Amy E. Schwartz

The war Russia is waging against Ukraine has scrambled the lives, politics and demographics of Eastern Europe. Konstanty Gebert, a reporter for Poland’s leading daily newspaper Gazeta Wyborska and a Moment contributing editor, offers encyclopedic historical expertise and keen political insights on what’s happening right now in Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Hungary and the surrounding lands, from the Baltics to the Balkans. Gerbert is in a wide-ranging conversation with Moment Book and Opinion editor Amy E. Schwartz.

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Russia, Vladimir Putin and Ukraine: The Struggle Between Authoritarianism and Democracy with Natan Sharansky and Robert Siegel

Natan Sharansky, born in Donetsk, Ukraine, spent nine years imprisoned in the Soviet Union, becoming the face of the Soviet Jewry movement. He eventually emigrated to Israel and has served as a member of the Knesset, deputy prime minister, chair of the Jewish Agency among other positions. The author of many books including The Case for Democracy: The Power of Freedom to Overcome Tyranny and Terror, he is currently chair of the Institute for the Study of Global Antisemitism and Policy. Sharansky and Robert Siegel, Moment special literary contributor and former senior host of NPR’s All Things Considered discuss Vladimir Putin’s motivations for invading Ukraine, Russian history and politics, possible short- and long-term outcomes of war—and the struggle between authoritarianism and democracy.

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