Voices. A Mosaic of Ukrainian-Jewish Life. Independence & Immigration

“Our absolute pride in being Jewish.”, Eugeny Kotlyar

Jewish Museum Augsburg Swabia

When the Soviet Union was dissolved in December 1991, Ukraine became independent again. Jews and Jewsesses in Ukraine now had a chance to redefine themselves and their religious and civic affiliations. Indeed, religious and secular organizations formed quickly.

At the same time, Jewish communities in Germany were in danger of overageing and dissolving. This changed after the relaxation of entry requirements in 1991 for immigrants from the former Soviet Union: The community in Augsburg grew rapidly and nowadays consists of 50% immigrants from Ukraine.

Karina Rahimova

… was born in the city of Kharkiv in 1982. She is psychotherapist and a volunteer of the «Nezlamnyi Kharkivs charitable foundation»
She lives in Kharkiv.

Interview from July 26, 2022

Eugeny Kotlyar

… was born in the city of Kharkiv in 1970.
He is Professor at the Kharkiv State Academy of Design and Arts.

Interviews from July 15, and August 18, 2022

E. Kotlyar near his project for the Kharkiv Synagogue (1995) by Eugeny Kotlyar's private archiveJewish Museum Augsburg Swabia

Eugeny Kotlyar near his project for the Kharkiv Synagogue

1995

Sofia Taubina

… was born in the city of Kherson in 1947.
She worked as a nurse.
In 1999, she emigrated to Germany, Augsburg.

Interview from June 26, 2022, Augsburg

Alisa Penner

… studies biology at Karazin University, Kharkiv.
She currently resides in Augsburg.

Interview from October 2, 2023, Augsburg

The prayer hall of the Kharkiv Choral Synagogue (2003) by Eugeny Kotlyar's private archiveJewish Museum Augsburg Swabia

The prayer hall of the Kharkiv Choral Synagogue

2003

Memorial "Drobytsky Yar" in Kharkiv by Eugeny Kotlyar's private archiveJewish Museum Augsburg Swabia

Memorial "Drobytsky Yar", opened in 2002 in Kharkiv

Inna Tarasjuk

… was born in the city of Donetsk in 1979.
In 2014 she emigrated to Germany.
She is head of the youth center of the Jewish community in Augsburg.

Interview from August 18, 2022, Augsburg

Jewish population in Ukraine, according to the 2001 census by elfgenpick gmbh & co. kg Andrii ShestaliukJewish Museum Augsburg Swabia

Jewish population in Ukraine, according to the 2001 census

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