About this talk

We invite you to explore the heart of Ukraine through its key cities, Kyiv and Odesa, and discover their rich Jewish heritage.

Jews have lived in Kyiv since at least the 8th century. Over the centuries, the city has been home to Jewish scholars and rabbis, writers and Zionist thinkers, and influential figures in business, culture, and politics. Kyiv's Jewish community has experienced periods of remarkable prosperity as well as devastating tragedy.

Odesa, often regarded by many Russian-speaking Jews as the "Jewish capital" of the former USSR, is known for its distinctive Jewish culture: a renowned sense of humor, historic Jewish quarters with eclectic architecture, a vibrant Zionist movement, and the stories of ships carrying Jews to the Land of Israel in the early 1920s.

We will explore the rich history of these two important Jewish centers, as well as the present-day lives and challenges of their communities.

About Evgenia

Evgenia Kempinski is a Russian Jew born and raised in St. Petersburg. Her family was originally from the Pale of Settlement - Poland, Ukraine and Belarus.

She was an official St. Petersburg tour guide for over 15 years, and she was the founder and owner of St.Petersburg Jewish Tours - a company offering Jewish travelers a unique experience of showcasing the best of the former Soviet Union and Scandinavia from a Jewish point of view.

Today, she is based in Barcelona, Spain, where she conducts both Jewish-themed and general interest tours in person.