Representation of Ukrainian-Jewish Relations in the Works of Sholem Aleichem and B.Hrinchenko

Abstract

Events that testify to history of the Ukrainian and Jewish people are analysed. Authors show that the Ukrainian Jewish relations occupy an important place in researches of modern historians. Researches of terms of coexistence and cooperation of both people carry out not only professional historians. This question carries interdisciplinary character, that is why in the process of his research studied as historical also literary sources.

The purpose of the research: to show the positive side of Ukrainian-Jewish relations in the context of the common history of the twentieth century, reflected in the literary works of Sholem Aleichem and B.Hrinchenko. To show the policy of autocracy, aimed at creating socio-political conditions in which between the two peoples there were misunderstandings and clashes; to analyze the works of Sholem Aleichem and B.Hrinchenko, which cover UkrainianJewish relations at the beginning of the twentieth century; to find out the true organizers of Jewish pogroms because of the literary works of those turbulent events.

The research methodology. In modern historiography, the issue of Ukrainian-Jewish relations is extremely relevant. The study of Ukrainian-Jewish relations requires the integration of methods and approaches of other scientific disciplines since it should be comprehensive and systematic. The methodology is based on the use of a variety of general scientific and special methods: the dialectical method, according to which the relations and the common life of Ukrainians and Jews are considered in their development, interconnection and interaction; methods of analysis and synthesis, by which the role and place of both peoples are defined, their rights are in the legal system of Ukraine.

The scientific novelty. Important in this context is the study of the vision of the events of the early twentieth century by the Jewish people and Ukrainians. In what it was similar, and in what were the fundamental differences. The article shows the vision of S.Yefremov, B.Hrinchenko, M.Hrushevskyi, V.Vynnychenko and other well-known figures of 1920-ies.

Conclusions. A number of works by Ukrainian writers and publicists have been analyzed, which showed: literary works can serve as sources of undeformed and reliable historical information. The author’s conceptions of Sholem Aleichem and B.Hrinchenko are presented. According to them, the Jewish pogroms of the early twentieth century. Were inspired by the government of the Russian Empire, and in the relations of Ukrainians with Jews there was much more positive than negativity. Shown the character of the struggle of the Ukrainian people for national and social liberation, in spite of the anti-Semitic policy of autocracy, is revealed. The authors urge that now it is necessary to focus the attention of our society on the generally friendly, tolerant nature of the Ukrainian-Jewish relations that have been developing in Ukraine for many centuries.