Ukrainian Association of Jewish Studies strongly condemns Russia's theft of Jewish artifacts in Ukraine

The statement was disseminated by the Ukrainian Association of Judaic Studies on August 28 via Istorychna Pravda.

The document states:

"Information has been published that the Museum of the History of Jews in Russia (Moscow) has included in its collection artifacts unlawfully taken from two historical synagogues in Ukraine: the intricately carved wooden doors from the Great Synagogue in Chortkiv (18th century) and the stone plaque with inscriptions from the synagogue in Pidhaitsi (17th century).

These structures are protected by law: the synagogue in Pidhaitsi is a monument of national significance (registration number 1559), and the synagogue in Chortkiv is a monument of local significance (registration number 1742M).

Both items that were unlawfully confiscated and taken abroad were presented at the museum's exhibition 'Challenging Oblivion: Remembering Ruined Synagogues of Eastern Europe' (December 2016 - January 2017). The doors were also exhibited in the 'Challenging Oblivion: Restoration' exhibition (September 2020), which aimed to showcase the museum's efforts in the 'preservation and conservation of unique examples of Jewish cultural and artistic heritage.'

Museum curators Boris Khaimovich and Hillel Kazovsky stated in a post on Boris Khaimovich's personal Facebook page that the museum acquired and exported these artifacts from Ukraine to preserve them from neglected synagogue buildings:

'Years of expeditions to various regions of former Soviet republics have convinced us that Jewish monuments are still being destroyed, just as during the years of Soviet rule. Local authorities, at best, treat them with complete indifference. Therefore, we saw our task as saving the monuments of Jewish material culture of Eastern Europe, which miraculously survived or are on the brink of disappearance.' [Translated from Russian]

The stone with inscriptions was 'rescued,' but in reality, it was taken by a group of individuals who dismantled it from the entrance of the synagogue, damaging its intricate carvings and structural integrity in the process. During the removal of the doors from the synagogue in Chortkiv, the building itself was also damaged.

Researchers in Judaic studies and heritage experts, along with museum professionals, activists, journalists, and representatives of Jewish communities, have declared that the doors from Chortkiv and the stone plaque from Pidhaitsi have ended up in a museum as a result of a blatant criminal theft by Russia. They perceive their display there as an expression of Russian colonialism and an act of appropriation of the cultural heritage of Ukrainian Jews.

Furthermore, this incident once again raises questions related to provenance tracing, collection, heritage protection, and responsibility for involvement in the illegal movement of antiquities and their trade.

We strongly condemn the crime that involved the confiscation of artifacts and the vandalistic damage to synagogue buildings. Many of our colleagues, who are recognized researchers in Jewish studies, experts in Jewish cultural heritage, and museum specialists, have suspended their work to defend their home armed. With their rockets and bombs, the Russian Federation is destroying Ukrainian cities, structures, museums, and monuments dedicated to Holocaust victims.

Russian soldiers and 'museum workers' are plundering museums located in temporarily occupied territories, taking artifacts of Ukrainian, Jewish, Polish, Russian, Crimean Tatar, Greek, and many other cultures from there.

Regardless of the noble intention that the employees of the Museum of Jewish History in Russia may have had when displaying unlawfully acquired artifacts from Ukrainian synagogues, in conjunction with the actions of an aggressor country, we must reluctantly acknowledge that this act is an expression of disrespect for Ukrainian sovereignty, Ukrainian laws, and the Ukrainian academic and cultural community.

These items were 'rescued' not for the Jewish culture of Ukraine and not for our descendants. They will never again see these stolen artifacts in their historical places as evidence of the long presence of Jews in these lands.

They have been 'rescued' for a private museum located in the aggressor country. Furthermore, these monuments are among the few remnants of the brutally destroyed Jewish communities of Chortkiv and Pidhaitsi during the Holocaust years. Ukrainians, including Ukrainian Jews, the descendants of those who created these monuments and who now live in Ukraine, are unlikely to ever see these artifacts again.

We are convinced that the heinous act of vandalism committed by the Museum of the History of Jews in Russia and its curators and experts contradicts widely recognized goals and ethical standards of museum activity. We believe that these actions will be condemned by the international community."