Ukraine: Ruth Ellen Gruber's Observations on Jewish Heritage Remnants in Ukraine

Ukraine: Ruth Ellen Gruber's Observations on Jewish Heritage Remnants in Ukraine

I have an unusual relationship with my big sister - journalist and author Ruth Ellen Gruber. Not only are we siblings, but we are friends and colleagues. A series of unexpected career turns 20 years ago have made us both "professional Jews," in that we are both been active participants (and sometimes observers) in the worldwide resurgence of interest in the fate of Jewish material culture.

Two weeks ago, however, we participated as speakers at the same conference for only the second time (that we can remember). Ruth gave the keynote address at the conference in held in L'viv, and I spoke about "Can Lviv be Developed as a Jewish Heritage Center." Since the conference Ruth has posted several interested pieces on her blog. The latest: "Ukraine - On its Crumbling Jewish Heritage," which I recommend (and not just because it mentions my own work) includes some passages from her keynote address.