Rabbi Yaakov Dov Bleich
29 Shchekavytska Street
Kiev 254071
Ukraine


Dear Rabbi Bleich:

I suppose that you are aware that the frank discussion of Jewish affairs in general, and Ukrainian-Jewish relations in particular, is rendered difficult particularly within Canada and the United States by a blanket of prohibition imposed by political correctness?  For an overview of this phenomenon, I refer you to statements made by Israel Shahak Jewish History, Jewish Religion: The Weight of Three Thousand Years, Pluto Press, London and Boulder Colorado, 1994:

Very many non-Jews ... hold the curious opinion that one way to "atone" for the persecution of Jews is not to speak out against evil perpetrated by Jews but to participate in "white lies" about them.  The crude accusation of "antisemitism" (or, in the case of Jews, "self-hate") against anybody who protests at the discrimination of Palestinians or who points out any fact about the Jewish religion or the Jewish past which conflicts with the "approved version" comes with greater hostility and force from non-Jewish "friends of the Jews" than from Jews.  It is the existence and great influence of this group in all western countries, and particularly in the USA (as well as other English-speaking countries) which has allowed the rabbis and scholars of Judaism to propagate their lies not only without opposition but with considerable help.  (p. 30)

In English-speaking countries, ... the greatest falsifications of Judaism regularly occur.  The situation is worst in the USA and Canada, the two states whose support for Israeli policies, including policies which most glaringly contradict the basic human rights of non-Jews, is strongest.  (p. 101)

The strong influence wielded by the organised Jewish community in the USA in support of all Israeli policies must ... be taken into account in order to explain the Middle East policies of American administrations.  This phenomenon is even more noticeable in the case of Canada, whose Middle Eastern interests cannot be considered as important, but whose loyal dedication to Israel is even greater than that of the USA.  In both countries ... Jewish organisations support Israel with about the same loyalty which communist parties accorded to the USSR for so long.  Also, many Jews ... in cases affecting Israel, display a remarkable degree of totalitarianism and are in the forefront of the defence of all Israeli policies.  It is well known in Israel that the chauvinism and fanaticism in supporting Israel displayed by organised diaspora Jews is much greater ... than the chauvinism shown by an average Israeli Jew.  This fanaticism is especially marked in Canada and the USA....  (pp. 101-102)

The question that I would like to put to you right now is whether as an American Jew temporarily living in Kyiv, you feel that you fall outside the blanket of prohibition smothering English-speaking North America, and so that your situation is more like that which prevails say in Israel where an open discussion is more often permitted?  I hope that your answer is in the affirmative, because then it would be possible to open up a frank dialogue with you from which rapid clarification of outstanding issues concerning Ukrainian-Jewish relations might spring.


Yours truly,


Lubomyr Prytulak