The new US ambassador to Ukraine honored the memory of the victims of Babyn Yar: “Never again — this is important now!”

Babi Yar: Memorial Ceremony

The new U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine, Julie Fisher, began her tenure with a visit to the Babi Yar memorial in Kyiv. This step was symbolic, emphasizing the importance of Holocaust remembrance.

At the ceremony, Fisher noted:

“The United States is committed to doing everything to prevent the horrors of the Holocaust from happening again. Never again — it is important now!”

The lighting of the memory candle became a symbolic moment of the event, in which the Chief Rabbi of Kyiv, Ionatan Markovych, participated.

Rabbi’s Participation

Rabbi Markovych emphasized that in conditions where Jewish communities worldwide face threats, in Ukraine, Jews are given the opportunity to freely practice their faith and develop traditions.

Markovych shared a personal story about his great-grandfather, who perished during the Holocaust along with his family.

“The fact that we are here today in Kyiv and can pray freely is a victory of memory over forgetting. It is proof that anti-Semitism has no future in Ukraine. Thanks to God, here are already the lowest rates among all European countries. Ukrainian Jews defend their land together with representatives of other faiths,” he noted.

Historical Significance

The Rabbi also recalled the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, who was born in Ukraine and became a spiritual leader for Jews worldwide.

“This fact demonstrates that even after the darkest times, communities and faith can be reborn,” noted the Chief Rabbi of Kyiv.

Confirmation of Ukrainian Integration

Leonid Barats, a Ukrainian journalist and representative of the Jewish community in Kyiv, emphasized that today in Ukraine, anti-Semitism practically does not exist, and Jews are an integral part of society. They serve in the armed forces, engage in volunteering, create jobs, and support the country’s economy. Even during the war, Ukraine continues to attract tourists and pilgrims from France, the USA, and Israel.

Facts confirm his words.

According to Pew Research Center data, Ukraine shows one of the lowest levels of anti-Semitism in Europe: only 5% of citizens expressed unwillingness to live next to Jews. Moreover, surveys by the Anti-Defamation League show positive dynamics — the level of bias decreased from 46% in 2019 to 29% in 2023, which sharply contrasts with the situation in other countries.

Conclusion of the Ceremony

The ceremony concluded with the prayer “Kel Maleh Rachamim,” recited by Rabbi Markovych. This became not only a tribute to the victims but also a requiem for the fallen defenders of Ukraine among the adherents of the Jewish faith.