I'm so glad you decided to check this page! It means YOU CARE!
Welcome, dear Guest!
I'm glad to take this occasion to introduce myself and tell you a bit more about this project, which has become very personal for me - and many other Jews in Ukraine and beyond.
My name is Darina Privalko and I've been deeply involved into Jewish Community activity of Ukraine virtually since the collapse of the former Soviet Union first as a student activist and then as a community professional. For last 8 year I've been working as a Regional Development and Outreach Director for Jewish Student Organization Hillel in Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, devising creative and efficient ways of inspiring unaffiliated Jewish youngsters to learn about their heritage, as well as finding the new supporters and partners, who are passionate about revival and strengthening of Jewish life in all corners of the world, particularly in this unique area - Ukraine.
I've created JUkraine in order to address 3 the most burning needs of Ukrainian Jewry, i.e.
1) Outreach of assimilated Jewish youth and thus ensuring the continuity of our community
2) Preservation and popularization of Ukraine's Jewish heritage around the world
3) Enhancing of financial independence of Ukrainian Jewish Communities
I'm glad to take this occasion to introduce myself and tell you a bit more about this project, which has become very personal for me - and many other Jews in Ukraine and beyond.
My name is Darina Privalko and I've been deeply involved into Jewish Community activity of Ukraine virtually since the collapse of the former Soviet Union first as a student activist and then as a community professional. For last 8 year I've been working as a Regional Development and Outreach Director for Jewish Student Organization Hillel in Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, devising creative and efficient ways of inspiring unaffiliated Jewish youngsters to learn about their heritage, as well as finding the new supporters and partners, who are passionate about revival and strengthening of Jewish life in all corners of the world, particularly in this unique area - Ukraine.
I've created JUkraine in order to address 3 the most burning needs of Ukrainian Jewry, i.e.
1) Outreach of assimilated Jewish youth and thus ensuring the continuity of our community
2) Preservation and popularization of Ukraine's Jewish heritage around the world
3) Enhancing of financial independence of Ukrainian Jewish Communities
Today I'm happy to say that this initiative is welcomed and supported by many - and maybe it shall find its way to your heart, too, as JUkraine is NOT just another travel agency that arranges "Jewish-related" tours, heavily loaded with stereotypes or obsolete information. We are Jewish Studies and Travel Center, based on principles "edutainment" rooted into Jewish values.
By working with us you not only receive a highly professional service, but also have a unique opportunity to go off the beaten road and peek inside the real everyday life of contemporary Ukraine and directly support local Jews!
Sooo.... Why do we do what we do? Here's JUkraine's vision:
- Assimilated and unaffiliated Jewish youngsters and adults willingly, if not enthusiastically, join the Jewish studies classes, as they combine Jewish learning with acquiring of prestigious and lucrative occupation of Jewish tour-guides.
- As long as the Project anticipates creation of study tools and materials, that will be eventually available online, it creates a platform for independent studies as well as empowerment of Jews from Ukrainian periphery, who will be encouraged not only to learn about their own Communities, but also get prepared for the upcoming visits of guests from other places.
- Families, dispersed and scattered around the world for decades, reunite, The dream of thousand to trace their roots comes true, people reclaim the feeling of rootedness and cohesion,
- Unique Jewish landmarks and sightseeing, especially cemeteries and old synagogues that today stay neglected and gradually deteriorate, as local communities have no means to maintain them, get restored and preserved.
- Local Jewish Communities themselves enhance own sustainability and develop financial independence, as they get exposed to visitors from around the world and thus may enjoy directly from tourism and also develop an emotional bond with the visitors, turning the latter into loyal supporters and advocates.
- Contemporary Jewish life in Ukraine receives new fresh image of a striving, rather than struggling, while Ukraine as a whole gains the reputation of tolerant and civilized country