- May 17, 2025
- 3:57 pm
- Ukraine
May 14 in Ukraine is celebrated as the Day of Memory for Ukrainians Who Saved Jews During World War II. This day highlights the courage and self-sacrifice of thousands of Ukrainians who risked their lives to save Jews from Nazi genocide.
This is not just a historical date — it holds deep significance for the memory of both nations, Ukrainian and Jewish, strengthening historical ties between Israel and Ukraine.
Righteous Among the Nations: Ukrainians Among the Heroes of the Holocaust
According to data from the Israeli National Memorial of Catastrophe and Heroism “Yad Vashem”, to date, 2673 Ukrainians have been awarded the title of “Righteous Among the Nations” for saving Jews during World War II.
The stories of these heroic Ukrainians, as well as much other information, can now be obtained in Ukrainian directly at the Yad Vashem Memorial Complex in Jerusalem.
The Ukrainian-language audio guide started its work as part of the initiative of the First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska.
These people made heroic deeds that changed the course of history by saving Jewish lives in the harsh conditions of Nazi repression.
Ukraine ranks fourth in the world in terms of the number of righteous people, surpassed only by Poland, the Netherlands, and France. This great achievement demonstrates the significant contribution of Ukrainians in saving the Jewish people during the Holocaust. Righteous Among the Nations come from more than 50 countries, and the number of those honored with this title continues to grow.
How the Heroes Are Recognized: Righteous People Are Still Being Found
The work of searching for new righteous people continues. It is important to note that many heroes passed away before receiving recognition, as the process of searching for and officially recognizing righteous people in Ukraine only began after the collapse of the Soviet Union. During the Soviet era, the topic of saving Jews was silenced, and any mention of saving Jewish lives was politically sensitive.
Today, the search continues, and many righteous people are still finding recognition thanks to the efforts of Jewish organizations, local communities, and individuals who continue to search for evidence of those who saved lives despite the terrible risks and threats.
Why It’s Important to Keep the Memory Alive?
The Day of Memory for Ukrainians Who Saved Jews was officially established by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine in 2021. This day emphasizes the importance of preserving the memory of the heroism of those who saved Jewish lives during those horrific years. It is important that the memory of the righteous and those who were saved be passed on to future generations. This is not just historical memory but a lesson for all humanity about the importance of saving lives and fighting against any form of hatred and violence.
The introduction of this day of memory also helps restore historical justice, which was disrupted during the Soviet years when the topics of the Holocaust and saving Jews were not properly recognized. This day, established by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, has become an important step in acknowledging historical responsibility and honoring the heroism of the saviors.
Ukrainians and Jews: Shared Memory of Tragedy
The significance of this day is especially important in the context of relations between Ukraine and Israel. The memory of saving Jews and their heroic saviors strengthens the bonds between the two nations and serves as a reminder of the importance of cooperation in preserving historical truth. It is important that such dates remind us of the price paid by those who could not remain indifferent to the tragedy of others, risking their own lives to save them.
NAnews emphasizes the importance of this day for both countries. Israel and Ukraine, despite political differences, share a common memory of the heroism and courage of those who, despite the threat, saved lives. These historical events should be preserved in memory for many years, so that future generations remember those who became symbols of courage and compassion.
Day of Memory in Israel and Ukraine: Mutual Respect and Recognition
For Israelis, this day holds special significance, as a large number of people of Ukrainian origin live in Israel. They take pride in their heritage and strive to pass on the memory of saving Jews to their children and grandchildren. Israel also actively supports initiatives aimed at preserving the memory of the righteous, and the importance of this day for the Jewish community in Ukraine cannot be overestimated.
It is also a reminder for everyone that heroism knows no borders or affiliation to any state or nation. On days of memory and mourning, it is important to remember the universal values of compassion, help, and salvation, which became the foundation for establishing this important day.
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