- December 22, 2025
- 3:44 pm
- Ukraine
A Jewish Physicist Who Changed Science
In Odesa, 4th Suvorovska Street was officially renamed. It now bears the name of Yosyp (Joseph) Fisher — a prominent theoretical physicist of Jewish origin, whose scientific works remain a foundation for many modern studies. He was born in Minsk in 1919, but spent most of his professional life in Odesa.
This recognition is especially meaningful today, as Jewish and Ukrainian communities seek new points of connection in their shared historical and cultural memory. NAnews — News from Israel explains why the name of Yosyp Fisher deserves to be known by anyone interested in the relationship between Ukraine, Israel, and global science.
A Legacy That Spans a Lifetime
Yosyp Zalmanovych Fisher was a professor at Odesa National University named after I.I. Mechnikov. A theoretical physicist, he devoted over 20 years to advancing science in Odesa. From 1963 to 1983, he headed the Department of Theoretical Physics and created one of the most influential scientific schools in the Soviet Union.
- 150+ PhD candidates — his students
- 15 Doctors of Science — successors of his academic school
- Graduates work on every continent and at most universities in Odesa
What Made Him Famous in Science?
Fisher’s work covered a wide range of fields in the physics of liquid matter. His research explained why water has unusual properties and how fluids behave under critical conditions. He also studied gravitational effects and developed theories that shaped modern understanding of molecular and thermal interactions.
Summary of His Research Areas:
| Field | Short Description |
|---|---|
| Statistical Theory of Liquids | Studied volume and surface properties of simple liquids |
| Critical Phenomena | Analyzed the behavior of fluids during phase transitions |
| Hydration | Explained the unique properties of water |
| Liquid Helium | Studied impurity behavior under superfluidity |
| Hydrodynamic Fluctuations | Developed the Lagrangian theory of thermal fluctuations |
| Transport Theory | Modeled thermal and molecular drift |
| Light Scattering | Created models for scattering in liquids and gases |
| Coulomb Interactions | Worked on plasma, liquid metals, and semiconductors |
| Gravity | Refined scalar and electromagnetic field theories |
Fisher and Odesa — A Connection That Became Destiny
Although born in Belarus, Odesa became Fisher’s true home. At ONU, he built not just an academic base, but a true intellectual center. A memorial plaque was installed on the university’s main building, and in 2025 — 30 years after his death — the street where he lived and worked was named in his honor.
Ukraine’s scientific community has long highlighted his contributions to global physics, and only now has the city officially acknowledged his legacy.
Why This Matters for Jewish and Ukrainian Identity
NAnews — News from Israel consistently covers topics that help the Jewish diaspora in Israel better understand their roots and feel connected to Ukraine. The story of Yosyp Fisher is one such example. His life is a testament to how a person of Jewish descent became a symbol of Odesa’s scientific greatness.
It is also a response to Russian propaganda claiming that Ukraine disrespects Jews. Renaming the street is not just a tribute to one scientist — it is an act of cultural and historical justice.
Memory as a Foundation for the Future
Commemorating Yosyp Fisher’s name contributes to a shared historical memory. His works are still relevant, his students work across the globe, and now his name will live on in Odesa’s toponymy.
For the Jewish community of Israel, this is a source of pride: one of us became part of Ukraine’s scientific and urban history.
NAnews — News from Israel will continue to share stories about people who serve as bridges between Ukraine and Israel, between the Jewish and Ukrainian peoples.
