Arkadiy Redko

This photo of me was taken in Hesed in Kiev for the board of honor of the veterans of the Great Patriotic War. I was photographed on Victory Day, 9th May 2003. I have my combat awards on my jacket. On the left on top are 2 orders of the Great Patriotic War, 2nd class. Below is the medal 20 years of Victory, a pin by Israel '50 years of victory', medals for the 50th anniversary of the victory of Belarus and Ukraine. Then there's a pin of the Kiev Engineering Construction College. On top from the right is the medal 'For valor'. From the right at the bottom is a medal of the state of Israel '50 years of victory'. The rest of them are medals to the memorable anniversaries of the victory. I also have an order 'For Valor', but it is not on this jacket. I retired in 1992, but I've still been working since. In 1993 I became deputy chairman of the organization of Kiev Jewish veterans of the war. I was elected secretary of the all-Ukrainian organization of veterans of the war in the Jewish Council of Ukraine. I am a member of the military commission in the Jewish Council of Ukraine. For eight years I've been a member of the council of the Kiev Jewish community, a representative of the Jewish Council of Ukraine in the Sohnut and Joint, and a member of the Association of Jewish War Veterans in Kiev. As for the Jewish life in Ukraine after the breakup of the USSR, I think there are more Jewish leaders in Kiev and Ukraine than there is a Jewish life. There are many Jewish centers: 10-15 make a Jewish center, but they don't want to unite for the sake of the common goal, but want to take command. Over ten Jewish newspapers are published in Kiev and more than 47 in Ukraine. And they compete with one another. I think there will never be a Jewish life in Ukraine because people live very different lives. Ukraine will never get out of this state: it's necessary to replace the political elite. The only Jewish organization really beneficial for the people is Hesed. Hesed helps old people by providing food and medications; they also celebrate birthdays in Hesed. It's very important for old people to know that they are remembered. There are often meetings with delegations. And of course, Kiev's Hesed supports Jewish organizations. We need to render justice to them - they accomplish a lot.