- December 17, 2025
- 9:58 pm
- Video
“Jews and Ukrainians. Our peoples have not lived side by side for ten, or a hundred, or even a thousand years.”
This is how the story begins about the complex and deep relations between the Jewish and Ukrainian peoples on the channel “History of Ukraine named after T.G. Shevchenko.”
Channel “History of Ukraine named after T.G. Shevchenko” – a dive into the past
YouTube channel “History of Ukraine in the name of T.G. Shevchenko” – https://www.youtube.com/@imtgsh — a unique resource for anyone interested in the history of Ukraine.
The authors of the channel, the Kapranov brothers, famous Ukrainian writers and researchers, create high-quality historical content that reveals complex and often forgotten pages of the past.
The Kapranov brothers are Dmitry Vitalievich Kapranov (July 24, 1967 – April 16, 2024) and Vitaly Vitalievich Kapranov (born July 24, 1967). They are known as Ukrainian writers, publishers, publicists, public figures and bloggers.
On September 4, 2019, they launched their YouTube channel called “Name of T. G. Shevchenko”dedicated to the history of Ukraine. The channel quickly became popular thanks to its interesting approach to presenting historical material.
Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, the Kapranov brothers took up arms and defended the Kyiv region as part of the Azov regiment. After finishing their service, they returned to civilian life and focused on developing their YouTube channel, continuing to talk about important moments in Ukrainian history.
Channel Features:
- In-depth historical analysis
Each video is a study based on facts, archival materials and expert opinions. In particular, topics such as interaction between Jews and Ukrainians are covered objectively and comprehensively.
- Available material supply
The channel uses simple and understandable language to make complex historical events understandable to a wide range of viewers. The videos are accompanied by illustrations, quotes and visuals that make the content even more interesting.
- Relevance
The videos on the channel not only cover historical events, but also help to understand their impact on modern times. This is especially important for those who want to understand the complex relationships between peoples, as in the case of Jews and Ukrainians.
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- “Blood libel and its origins”
Historical analysis of the myth about the “blood of Christian babies”, which appeared in medieval Europe, but had no basis in Ukrainian lands.
- “The Kiev letter: the most ancient evidence of Jewish life in Rus'”
A fascinating video about a 10th century document written by the Jewish community of Kyiv. This is one of the oldest texts mentioning Kyiv.
Why should you subscribe?
Channel “History of Ukraine in the name of T.G. Shevchenko” unique in its objectivity, depth of analysis and respect for different points of view. This is an ideal place to study history through the prism of the interaction of peoples, cultures and religions. Every viewer will find something interesting and important here.
Subscribe to the channel, leave comments and support the authors so that high-quality historical content continues to develop!
This story is not only about coexistence, but also about the mutual influence of cultures, languages, religions and socio-economic systems.
Ancient traces of Jews on Ukrainian lands
The first traces of the presence of Jews on the territory of modern Ukraine date back to pre-Christian times. In the Black Sea region and the Bosporan kingdom, artifacts with Jewish inscriptions and images of a menorah were discovered, which indicate the existence of Jewish communities in these regions already in the first millennium BC.
Interestingly, the Jewish community developed simultaneously with other civilizations such as Scythia and Sarmatia, indicating close ties between the peoples. In particular, the development of trade routes through the Caucasus and Crimea contributed to the emergence of Jewish merchants who played an important role in the economic life of the region.
Khazar Khaganate and the role of the Jews
The Khazar Khaganate, which existed on the territory of modern Ukraine in the 7th–10th centuries, became a unique example where the ruling elite adopted Judaism as the state religion. This was a rare case, since the Jewish tradition does not imply missionary work or the conversion of other peoples to their faith.
Nevertheless, the Kaganate left an important legacy: the Jewish community became part of the local elite, and the religious and cultural identity of the Jews was strengthened.
Jewish-Slavic language: a forgotten chapter of history
Living in Ukrainian lands, Jews began to speak local Slavic dialects. This language, known as Judeo-Slavic, was widespread in everyday life, but religious texts, rites and rituals were preserved exclusively in the Hebrew language. Over time, under the influence of migrations and social changes, the Jewish-Slavic language was replaced by Yiddish.
Kiev letter: evidence of ancient connections
One of the first written documents confirming the presence of Jews on Ukrainian lands is the Kiev Letter. This 10th-century document was created by the Jewish community of Kyiv and is a request for help from a fellow countryman in paying off a debt. Interestingly, this is one of the most ancient texts mentioning Kyiv, and it is kept in the library of the University of Cambridge.
Medieval Europe and the flight of Jews to the East
While Jews in Europe were subjected to persecution, pogroms and bloody slander, Kievan Rus remained relatively tolerant. This attracted Jewish communities who were looking for safer living conditions.
Numbers:
- By the beginning of the 17th century, the number of Jews in Ukrainian lands reached 50 thousand people.
- In Poland and Ukrainian lands, Jews paid taxes in communities (kagals), which gave them relative autonomy.
Khmelnytskyi region: a turning point in Jewish-Ukrainian relations
The period of the Bohdan Khmelnytsky uprising (1648–1657) became a test for Jewish communities. Despite the fact that the main causes of the uprising were related to the Polish gentry and their policies, Jews who occupied the positions of tenants and managers found themselves at the epicenter of popular anger.
Consequences of the uprising:
- About 10–20 thousand Jews died as a result of pogroms.
- Many Jews were forced to leave Ukrainian lands or convert to Christianity.
- These events were reflected in the work of Rabbi Nathan Hanover, “Deep Mud,” which describes the suffering of Jewish communities.
The Russian Empire and the Pale of Settlement
After the annexation of Ukrainian lands to the Russian Empire, Jewish communities found themselves in a zone of severe discrimination. The Pale of Settlement, pogroms and anti-Semitic laws became the new reality for Jews living in this region.
However, Ukrainians, like Jews, themselves suffered from the repressive policies of the Russian Empire. This common experience of oppression later became the basis for mutual understanding between the two peoples.
Modernity: dialogue of cultures
Today, interaction between Ukrainians and Jews remains relevant. Israel has become home to many people from Ukraine who brought elements of their culture and traditions to the country.
Our website NAnews – Israel News helps disseminate information about significant events related to Ukraine and the Jewish people. We believe that studying shared history helps us better understand the present and build bridges between peoples.
Conclusion
The history of Jews and Ukrainians is a thousand-year path of cooperation, mutual influence and, unfortunately, tragic pages. However, preserving memories and respecting common roots can be the basis for deeper mutual understanding in the future.
This article was prepared using materials from the channel “History of Ukraine in the name of T.G. Shevchenko.” We thank the authors for their detailed research, which helps illuminate important aspects of the shared history.
If you want to know more, follow our publications on NAnews – Israel News.
YouTube channel “History of Ukraine in the name of T.G. Shevchenko” – https://www.youtube.com/@imtgsh — a unique resource for anyone interested in the history of Ukraine.
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