- December 20, 2025
- 4:03 am
- World News
Project “УкраЇдиш” (UkraYiddish), created by the Jewish musician Oles Volynchik, became a symbol of the interaction of two great cultures – Ukrainian and Jewish.
Through music and song translations, he creates a unique space where tradition and modernity intertwine.
As part of its project, music translates Ukrainian songs into Yiddish and Jewish songs into Ukrainian. Traveling around Ukraine, he records his unique compositions with local musicians.
Videos have already been released from Lviv, Dnieper (CDC “Menorah”) and Kharkov. A video from Odessa will be released in a month.
How did “UkraYiddish” come about?
Oles Volynchik (Amiram in Hebrew) is a musician living in Germany, but working at the intersection of Ukrainian and Jewish cultures. His project “УкраЇдиш” includes:
- Translations of Ukrainian folk songs into Yiddish. For example, “Oh at the cherry orchard” sounded in the language of Ashkenazi Jews.
- Translations of Jewish songs into Ukrainian. One of these was the song “Oyfn veg shteyt a boym”, a deep parable that takes on a new meaning in the context of modern events.
- Musical travels around Ukraine. Oles collaborates with musicians from Lvov, Kharkov, Dnieper, Odessa to create unique videos.
As the musician himself notes:
“The cultures of Ukrainians and Jews have always intersected and enriched each other. Jewish culture is an integral part of the cultural heritage of Ukraine.”
Kharkov: “Oh at the cherry garden” in Yiddish
Kharkov became one of the first cities where a music video was recorded as part of the project. The song “Oh at the Cherry Orchard,” known to all Ukrainians, sounded in Yiddish.
Entry details:
- Translation, vocals and guitar: Oles Volynchyk
- Clarinet: Gennady Fomin
- Video: Kharkiv Media Hub
- Audio: Anton An
This folk composition, translated into Yiddish, symbolizes the connection between the traditions of the two peoples.
“This song is a bridge between our history and modernity,” noted Oles Volynchik.
Dnepr: “Oyfn veg shteyt a boym” in Ukrainian
In Dnepr, on the roof of the Menorah Center, the famous Jewish song “Oyfn veg shteyt a boym” was performed, translated into Ukrainian.
Song Context:
- Written by Itzik Manger in 1938.
- Theme of the song: freedom, pain of loss, nostalgia.
- The translation into Ukrainian emphasized the relevance of the words in the context of modern warfare.
Entry details:
- Guitar and vocals: Oles Volynchyk
- Video: Yuri Smirnov and Elena Bubnova
“This song penetrates the soul of everyone who knows what loss and hope are,” the musician shared his impressions.
Lviv: “Charming violin” in tango style
In Lvov, “The Charming Violin,” the famous Ukrainian love song, was translated into Yiddish and performed in tango style.
Recording participants:
- Accordion: Orest Nakonechny
- Guitar and vocals: Oles Volynchyk
- Video: Andrey Kravchuk
This composition combined the romance of Ukrainian melody with Jewish flavor.
Odessa: Upcoming video
Oles Volynchik completed work on the video in Odessa, which will be released in a month. This city, with its rich Jewish heritage, will become another pearl in the Ukraindish music collection.
“Odessa is a place where culture speaks all languages. Expect surprises! ” – the musician intrigued.
The project is like a bridge between Ukraine and Israel
“УкраЇдиш” is not only a musical project, but also a cultural bridge between Ukraine, Israel and the global Jewish diaspora. It unites people through common values and music, which is especially important in the face of complex geopolitical challenges.
Our website NAnews – Israel News regularly covers such initiatives, emphasizing the importance of strengthening ties between our peoples.
Values of “UkraYiddish”
- Recognition of cultural heritage.Jewish culture in Ukraine is part of a common heritage, which Volynchyk emphasizes.
- Strengthening dialogue.Translations of songs promote mutual understanding between the Ukrainian and Jewish peoples.
- Support for Ukraine and Israel.Project participants take a clear pro-Ukrainian and pro-Israeli position.
“Glory to Ukraine! עם ישראל חי!” – the motto of the participants of “УкраЇдиш”.
“UkraYiddish” on social networks
The project is actively distributed through the platforms:
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraYiddish .
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ukrayiddish
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UkraYiddish/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ukra.yiddish/
These resources help popularize culture among young people and support dialogue between diasporas.
Why is this important?
The УкраЇдиш project is a reminder of how culture unites peoples. Against the backdrop of geopolitical challenges, such initiatives are becoming an important element in preserving identity and strengthening international cooperation.
We, the editors NAnews – Israel Newsare confident that projects like Ukraydish will help create a world where the Jewish and Ukrainian peoples can overcome challenges together and build a future.
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