LETTERS TO THE EDITOR (04/21/02)

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Summit 2002 was remarkable

Dear Editor:

The Summit of Ukrainian American Organizations - with a focus on Ukrainian youth's potential - which took place in Kerhonkson, N.Y., on March 15-17, was truly a watershed in the history of the Ukrainian diaspora in North America. For the first time in a long time, as far as I can recall, a profoundly eclectic group of representatives of the Ukrainian American community, ranging from teenage college students to well-established senior community activists, converged in the Catskill region to not only engage in productive and visionary dialogue, but to actually "bridge the gap" between generations.

One participant, namely the former director of the International Management Institute (Kyiv), Andrew Masiuk, said it best, when he declared that, "although there are generational differences between us, we are all part of one and the same 'community,' we're all Ukrainians." After hearing this statement, it was clear to all those present, that we are more than just a diaspora. It doesn't matter where you were born or where you live, since one special entity binds us all together, and that is Ukraine.

Furthermore, what struck me the most throughout the course of the entire summit, was the fact that the veteran senior activists actually came to listen, and indeed they did listen, while the younger generations came to be heard, and undoubtedly this forum provided precisely such opportunities. The entire weekend I kept thinking to myself what an unprecedented event was taking place, and at the same time I was completely flabergasted about why such a significant meeting - unscathed by partisan ideology and demagoguic ambitions - was so long overdue?

Simple words cannot convey what an exhilarating and encouraging experience it was to witness college kids speaking their minds on various pressing issues vis-à-vis our community and Ukraine, while at the same time having their ideas reciprocated by constructive feedback from the veteran community activists. And under one roof, no less! As a result, I just couldn't help but wonder where were our so-called "umbrella organizations" 10 if not 30 years ago, when an entire generation of Ukrainians coming of age during the greatest period in North American social, political, religious and community activism stood ready as a potential force for active engagement? Not surprisingly, due to internal squabbling, the opportunity dissipated to a substantial degree, and many were shunned, alienated and left out in the cold, thus becoming disillusioned by the paralytic quagmire prevalent at the time. (The 45-55 age group was clearly the most under-represented potential body at the summit).

In fact, as I was driving on the turnpike that Saturday morning heading north towards Soyuzivka, I must admit I was rather skeptical about the overall success of the summit. Initially, I hadn't even planned to attend, and was quite indifferent about participating in this meeting. However, thanks to my boss's keen instinct and persistence - he isn't even Ukrainian, but lives and works in Ukraine - I relented, and by the time the summit was coming to a close and as I was saying good-bye to some of my new friends, it was clear that all of us would be departing the Catskill region totally inspired, hopeful and optimistic for the future.

To all those skeptics who may claim that nothing positive and fruitful could develop from such meetings, I can only say that, for starters, an e-mail network has already evolved as a result of the Summit 2002, which, I am confident, will in turn nurture, encourage and promote further contact, dialogue, exchange of ideas, practical initiatives and concrete action for the betterment of our entire community.

Kudos to the Ukrainian Engineers' Society of America, particularly Andrij Wowk and Marco Shmerykowsky, the Ukrainian Medical Association of North America and the Ukrainian National Association for devising an incredible tour-de-force assembly and pulling together such a potent braintrust of organizational minds. For this I am grateful and feel privileged for having had the wonderful opportunity to attend and partake in this exceptional event.

Summit 2002 will for me always be a remarkable testament to the human spirit and the open-mindedness of our youth and future generations who possess a sense of responsibility and the basic desire to make things happen. Alex Kuzma, executive director of the Children of Chornobyl Relief Fund, assessed the significance of the summit appropriately when he proclaimed the fact that "we made history." My hope is that, through the spark that has been ignited and the examples that have been put forth, we can all as one, united community continue to not only make history, but be part of history by enlightening and inspiring our youth to make a difference in their local community, in the national diaspora and in Ukraine.

Iko Labunka
Chicago

Act of hatred must be condemned

Dear Editor:

Recent news reports from Ukraine have focused on an attack by hooligans returning from a soccer match on the Central Synagogue in Kyiv.

As a leader of the New York-based Association for Ukrainian-Jewish Relations, I must underline that all expressions of anti-Semitism must be condemned, whether it is the work of hooligans or political policy.

However, I must caution that we know that there have been provocations in the past aimed at portraying Ukrainians as anti-Semitic. Indeed, in the 1960s, whenever we held a conference in New York City there always was an attack on the endeavor in the Communist press in Ukraine and here in the United States whose goals was to prevent the development of cooperation between Ukrainians and Jews.

Thus, one might consider also that this latest incident in Kyiv could well be a provocation organized by the Russian "special services." In Ukraine, anti-Semitic materials, leaflets and publications often are disseminated in the Russian language, and many observers of the political scene suspect they are published in Moscow - all the more so because in Russia there recently have been many anti-Semitic incidents.

Thus, the attack on the synagogue in Kyiv could be a provocation aimed at sowing misunderstanding between Ukrainians and Jews, and Ukraine and Israel.

The Association for Ukrainian-Jewish Relations strongly condemns whoever is responsible for this act of hatred.

Eugene Stakhiv
New York

| Home Page |