There is much that ordinary Ukrainians do not know about Jews and that ordinary Jews do not know about Ukrainians. As a result, those Jews and Ukrainians who may care about their respective ancestral heritages usually view each other through distorted stereotypes, misperceptions, and biases. This book sheds new light on highly controversial moments of Ukrainian-Jewish relations and argues that the historical experience in Ukraine not only divided ethnic Ukrainians and Jews but also brought them together.

The story of Jews and Ukrainians is presented in an impartial manner through twelve thematic chapters. Among the themes discussed are geography, history, economic life, traditional culture, religion, language and publications, literature and theater, architecture and art, music, the diaspora, and contemporary Ukraine. The book’s easy-to-read narrative is enhanced by 335 full-color illustrations, 29 maps, and several text inserts that explain specific phenomena or address controversial issues. Jews and Ukrainians provides a wealth of information for anyone interested in learning more about the fascinating land of Ukraine and two of its most historically significant peoples.

Paul Robert Magocsi, FRSC, is professor of history and political science and holds the John Yaremko Chair of Ukrainian Studies at the University of Toronto.

Paul Robert Magocsi's profile page

Yohanan Petrovsky-Shtern is the Crown Family Professor of Jewish Studies at Northwestern University in the United States.

Yohanan Petrovsky-Shtern's profile page

‘This brave book gives readers the knowledge that they need to open their minds, to move forward, and to gain respect and appreciation for the other.’

Phil Jason Reviews Books May 2017

‘Everything about this book is beautiful and it is a welcome addition to any library and especially so for Jewish libraries.’

Reviews by Amos Lassen April 2017

‘Jews and Ukrainians holds a wealth of knowledge that transcends academic writing to engage the audience.’

World Literature Today, May 2017

‘It is a most important work of scholarly acumen, clarity, and sensitivity, at once compelling, enlightening, and most timely.’

The Russian Review vol 76:03:2017

‘This book is an experiment and is largely successful – against all odds… Magocsi and Petrovsy-Shtern deserve praise for their courage and daring in writing this work and touching upon controversial and unpleasant issues.’

Israel Journal of Foreign Affairs February 2017

"Magocsi brings his expansive familiarity with the broad scope of Eastern European history, and Petrovsky-Shtern contributes a brilliant, insightful understanding of Ukrainian-Jewish culture that can only be expressed by someone who has mastered sources in Hebrew and Yiddish as well as the lived culture of the region. Magocsi and Petrovsky-Shtern are the leading scholars of Ukrainian-Jewish history, and this work is an example of their erudition made manifest."

<em>Harvard Ukrainian Studies</em>