Volodymyr Muzychenko
Jewish Community Leader
A) What qualities make the nominee deserving of the Z3 Bridge Builder Award?
Volodymyr Muzychenko is the Jewish community’s leader in Ludmir, southwestern Ukraine.
On being posted to a school as a music teacher, he discovered Ludmir was a treasure trove of Jewish heritage. This major city had been destroyed by NAZIs and their collaborators during the Second World War. Volodymyr felt it his duty to preserve and maintain this heritage and Alison began to interview survivors and eventually published his two books about this once auspicious Jewish town.
Volodymyr’s chosen Hebrew name means peace or Sholom and as a classically trained musician he is a very gentle soul with exceptional attention to detail. While he could have left his country for abroad at the start of Russia’s invasion he honorably chose to stay to be with his music students to keep life as stable and beautiful as it can be for them and wait it out.
His book honors the nonJews who saved Jews and as a person is loved by all Ukrainians whatever their faith.
Talented, intelligent and kind he speaks several languages and loves animals people and all music. Volodymyr is a true gentleman who embraces the Jewish qualities of generosity, humility and kindness.
B) In what ways has the nominee demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment to their work in bridging divides?
When no-one wanted to be Jewish Ludmir’s leader he took up the mantle.
Teaching the world about the Holocaust through YouTube’s and books. He’s been on Ukrainian television and lectured on the east coast.
His book is available world wide and has been translated into English.
Parades, re-enactments and demonstrations of historical events related to Ludmir’s Jewish past he holds annually commemorating the victims.
Maintaining Jewish graves to honor deceased, he works tirelessly.
These works and activities keep him in the local news.
Shows dignity to the dead as he asks the Ukrainian government to put up signs that mark the Jewish deceased and not to destroy their gravesites.
When remains of Jewish deceased are found he works alongside his team to move the graves into the Jewish graveyard.
Alive or dead his heart is with all Jews.
Great pride he has that his son volunteered to serve in Israel and chose to make Aliya. He had a strong passion for Israel.
Volodymyr Muzychenko is known in Israel by the Jewish community’s expatriates of Ludmir and everywhere else its Jews emigrated.