Jews from Ukraine: Leo Motskin. From Ukrainian Brovars to Kiryat-Motskin, named in his honor

And today in our section “Jews from Ukraine” we will tell you about Leo Motzkin, an outstanding public figure from Brovary, whose name is associated with the history of Israel and Ukrainian Jews.

Leo Motzkin (Arieh Leib) was born in 1867 in Brovary, Kiev province of the Russian Empire. In this small town, not far from Kyiv, he received a traditional Jewish education. At the end of the 19th century, there was a large Jewish community in Brovary.

The Jewish Community of Brovary: History and Tragic Events

Brovary, a small town near Kyiv, has deep historical roots and a significant Jewish heritage. Before World War II, it was home to one of the largest Jewish communities in the region. Jews began settling in Brovary in the second half of the 19th century, gradually migrating from the west after the collapse of Poland. According to 1891 data, Jews made up 23.3% of the city’s population (888 people). Most were engaged in trade and crafts, actively participating in the life of the city. There was a synagogue in Brovary, Jewish schools and public organizations.

The period from 1917 to 1921 was tragic for the Jewish community. During the revolution and civil war, Jews were subjected to brutal pogroms organized by various military formations: Denikin’s troops, Skoropadsky’s Haidamaks, and the Red Army. Many died, and some residents left the city, emigrating to Kyiv or other safer places.

The Jewish population gradually decreased. If in 1923 646 Jews lived in Brovary, then by 1939 their number had decreased to 458 people. World War II played a tragic role in the history of the community. From 1941 to 1943, almost all of the city’s Jews died at the front or were killed during the Nazi occupation. As a result of these events, the Jewish community of Brovary practically disappeared.

In the post-war years, a small number of Jews returned to the city. In 1989, about 360 Jews lived here, but by 1999, only 110 people remained. The main reasons for the decline in numbers were emigration to Israel and other countries, as well as the lack of conditions for the development of the community.

Today, there is almost no direct evidence of the once large Jewish community left in Brovary. However, its history lives on in the memory of descendants and those interested in the heritage of the Jewish people. Preserving this memory is important for future generations so that the rich culture and traditions of the Jews of Brovary are not forgotten.

To Berlin for Knowledge: A New Stage in Life

After completing his primary education, Leo Motzkin went to Berlin, where he studied mathematics and philosophy. It was in Berlin that his active social activities began. He became one of the founders of a scientific society that united students who supported the Hovevei Zion (Lovers of Zion) movement.

With the advent of Theodor Herzl and the beginning of the Zionist movement, Motzkin became an active participant. He was a delegate to the First Zionist Congress in 1897 and advocated for a clear formulation of the movement’s goal – the creation of a Jewish state in Eretz Israel.

First Trip to Eretz Israel

On behalf of Theodor Herzl, Motzkin went to Eretz Israel to assess the state of Jewish settlements. In his report, he criticized the settlement methods used by Baron Rothschild and the Hovevei Zion movement and insisted on the need for political negotiations with the Ottoman Empire.

This trip was a turning point in his work. He realized that without political support, the creation of a Jewish state would be extremely difficult.

Important steps in the international arena

During World War I, Leo Motzkin headed the Copenhagen branch of the Zionist Organization. After the war, he became one of the founders of the Committee of Jewish Delegations at the Paris Peace Conference, where he defended the interests of world Jewry.

When the Nazis came to power in Germany, he was the first to raise the issue of discrimination against German Jews at the level of the League of Nations. When this issue was removed from the agenda, Motzkin refused to cooperate with the organization, but continued to provide political and financial support to the Jewish population of Germany.

Table: Main stages of Leo Motzkin’s life

Memory of Leo Motzkin

Leo Motzkin died in 1933 in Paris. His remains were reburied on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem in 1934. In memory of this outstanding figure, the Israeli city of Kiryat Motzkin was founded in 1934 and named in his honor.

In 1933, Haifa decided to create a new residential area for middle-class families. It had to be outside the city limits, but close enough for residents to commute to work every day. A plot of land in the Zevulun Valley was chosen for this purpose.

The new area was named after Aryeh Leo Motzkin, a famous Jewish public figure and one of the founders of the World Zionist Congress. Thus, Kiryat Motzkin was founded in 1934 by Polish Jews. The first residents of the area were merchants and independent artisans.

The area on which the new settlement was located turned out to be sandy and swampy. The lands were unimproved and dangerous due to the risk of malaria. The settlers were offered 400 plots of land in installments. The first residents had to work hard to turn the uninhabited area into a comfortable place to live. Thanks to their efforts, the area was nicknamed “Green Island”.

By 1940, the population of Kiryat Motzkin had already reached 2,000 people, and on June 11, 1940, a local council was created. Over the years, the area continued to develop. In 1976, when the population exceeded 25,000 people, Kiryat Motzkin officially received city status.

Kiryat Motzkin has become a symbol of the memory of a man who dedicated his life to the struggle for Jewish equality, the promotion of Hebrew and the creation of a Jewish state.

Conclusion

The story of Leo Motzkin is the story of the struggle for the rights of the Jewish people, the promotion of Hebrew and the creation of a Jewish state. His contribution to the development of world Jewry is difficult to overestimate.

Now, as you walk the streets of Kiryat Motzkin, remember that his name is associated with a man whose ideas and efforts laid the foundation for many of the achievements of modern Israel.

We, the NAnews– Israel News team, are proud to share such important stories that unite the Jewish and Ukrainian peoples.

Read more stories about outstanding Jews connected to Ukraine and Israel in our «Jews from Ukraine» section on the NAnews website