- December 14, 2025
- 3:50 am
- Ukraine
The Jewish community of Kyiv is providing significant assistance in the defense of Ukraine with the outbreak of full-scale war in 2022. Jewish fighters not only defend the country at the front, but also provide technical, humanitarian and material support to the Armed Forces of Ukraine (ZSU).
Shimon Briman on the website “Ukrainian-Jewish Zustrich” (Ukrainian) talks about how representatives of the Jewish community became part of the Ukrainian resistance forces; many Jews feel part of the Ukrainian people and perceive the war as a personal test and challenge for the community. The participation of the Jewish community, whether on the battlefield or through volunteer programs, shows the strength of patriotism and the desire to protect Ukraine's independence.
Let's give a partial story. Original (Ukrainian) – “Okrema Israeli power” at the ZSU: Kiev Jews at the mercy of Ukraine”
Biographies of fighters: how the Jews of Kyiv join the ranks of the ZSU
The two friends, graduates of a Jewish religious school from Kyiv, each defend Ukraine in their own way, helping it repel Russian aggression, keeping Israel in mind, and pondering the future of Ukrainian-Jewish relations after the war.
Igor (Yakov David) Tish (29) and Akiva Alexander Gilgur (36) have been friends since childhood. Because of the age difference, they are like younger and older brothers – they treat each other the same way.
They were united by the Jewish gymnasium No. 299 “Orach Chaim” in the Obolonsky district of Kyiv – the first public school for the study of the Jewish language and traditions of Judaism, operating in Ukraine since 1990.
The story of Igor Tish: “My patriotism is respected here”
Igor Tisch, a Jew by origin, who previously served in the Israeli Army (IDF) for 2.5 years until 2017, was promoted to the rank of IDF senior sergeant. Participated in counter-terrorism operations in Judea in the Tkoa area.
Returning to Ukraine, with the outbreak of a full-scale war, he joined the ranks of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. He acknowledges that the Ukrainian army values his experience and knowledge brought from his service in Israel. In an interview Shimon Briman he said:
did the Ukrainian soldiers next to him know that he came from Israel and had IDF combat experience?
“At first there were jokes – “look, he’s after Tsahal,” and they looked at me like I was a curiosity. Then they asked who had combat experience – I named myself, I was made a squad commander, then a platoon commander. I knew I could help with my Israeli experience here. He teaches his soldiers, gave the right orders and gained the trust of the people.
The guys even joked: “Our commander is a Jew, and our platoon has a separate Israeli state.”.
Igor shares his experience that service in the Armed Forces of Ukraine is based on mutual respect and support, and nationality does not play a role. Patriotism, he said, is the desire to defend the country and support those who are nearby at the front.
“Manifestations of anti-Semitism? In general, no one cared that I was Jewish and served in the Israeli army. I became a commander, showed myself to be a good commander and people followed me.
When we were holding the front next to the Azov regiment, I learned that their squad commander was fighting with them – a Jew who had served in the IDF.
The third assault brigade, which split from Azov, has a very important relationship with Jews and other national minorities; They punish people for making bad statements about certain nationalities.”
Igor was seriously wounded in 2024, two days before the battalion left positions in the Serebryansky Forest. In September 2024, Igor Tish, a platoon commander of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, was seriously wounded after shielding two of his soldiers from a Russian drone strike. He lost half of his left arm.
“I came to the guys to change them on guard, asked if the electronic warfare system (electronic warfare against drones – Sh.B.) was working. They tell me: “The battery is dead, the command knows, but is doing nothing,” and I immediately hear that a drone is flying. Everyone lay down. I jumped to try to turn on the REB. And at the moment of the rebound, a drone with explosives flew back. It means I covered two soldiers with myself in this jump, and one soldier standing around the corner died from shrapnel.”
Friends of the wounded sergeant of two armies, Igor Tish, quickly collected funds in Ukraine, Israel and the United States for his prosthetics. It is now being decided in which country Tish’s further medical rehabilitation will take place, and whether the fragment that is still in his body will be pulled out.
Kiev Rabbi Yakov Dov Bleich gave Igor new tefillin to be placed on his right, healthy hand.
Akiva Alexander Gilgur and his contribution to the creation of drones for the army
Akiva Alexander Gilgur, an engineer and head of the Karlin-Stolin Jewish community in Kyiv, is actively involved in supporting the Ukrainian army. He runs a laboratory that develops innovative technologies, including drones and systems to counter enemy drones. Its goal is to strengthen the Ukrainian army through high-tech solutions that help soldiers survive on the battlefield.
“My job is to protect the Ukrainian soldier,” Akiva says. “We are developing technologies that will help the Ukrainian Armed Forces defend themselves, not attack.”
Akiva is also actively involved in humanitarian aid, providing the Jewish community in Podol with food, medicine and necessary items. He sees an important mission in his actions – to help people survive in wartime conditions and support the army.
Mutual assistance from friends from Israel: medical support and advanced technologies
In addition to participating in the ZSU, Jewish fighters receive help from friends in Israel in the form of medical supplies such as tourniquets and dressing kits, which were sent at the request of Ukrainian Jewish fighters.
“I still have many friends and colleagues in the IDF in Israel. We keep in touch during the war with Russia. “
Igor Tish also notes that Israeli instructors teach Ukrainian fighters survival and medical techniques, making them more ready for combat conditions.
“Many people talk about Israeli instructors in some parts of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. I constantly hear that the Israelis are helping. No one has ever spoken ill of Israel. They asked me why I left there – from such a developed country,” says Igor.
Thus, moral and material support from Israel inspires Ukrainian fighters and strengthens their self-confidence.
Identity conflict: Jews on the side of Ukraine and Russia
However, along with the noble aspirations of help, there are also tragic aspects associated with the fact that Jews found themselves on both sides of the conflict. On the same days when Igor Tish was undergoing treatment after being wounded, it became known about the death of a Jewish fighter who served as a drone operator on the Russian side. This case recalls the tragic parallels of the First World War, when Jews from different countries killed each other while serving in rival armies.
Jewish philosophy and patriotism
For many Jews, participation in the defense of Ukraine becomes a symbol of change in the historical context. Gilgur explains that, despite the difficult history of Ukrainian-Jewish relations, today they have the opportunity to help the country that provided asylum, and to do it with honor.
“If we consider ourselves the chosen people, then let’s show the Ukrainians an example of how they can be kind and defend their independence,” Gilgur concludes.
An example for future generations: how Kyiv Jews unite in struggle
In addition to participating in hostilities, the Jewish community of Kyiv actively supports humanitarian projects aimed at helping the population. Akiva Alexander and his associates organize Jewish holidays and support the poor, doing everything possible to ease the living conditions of the community during difficult war times.
For Akiva, this war is not only a fight for the territorial integrity of Ukraine, but also a way to strengthen ties between the Jewish and Ukrainian peoples. He is confident that these ties will strengthen after the war, and that the Jewish community will remain an important part of Ukrainian society.
“We are here to help. Our community has been here for centuries, and we will support Ukraine as our homeland.”
How Israeli support helps the Ukrainian Armed Forces: table of main directions
| Type of support | Description |
|---|---|
| Medical materials | Israel supplies tourniquets, dressings and necessary medical kits for the Ukrainian Armed Forces |
| Technologies | Akiva Gilgur develops drones and systems to protect Ukrainian soldiers |
| Military instructors | Israeli specialists train Ukrainian soldiers in medical care and tactics |
| Humanitarian assistance | Support for low-income families and celebrations for the community |
Intertwined destinies: the common struggle of Ukraine and Israel
The participation of the Jewish community of Ukraine in the conflict with Russia is not only about a national sense of duty, but also about mutual respect and support. Many Ukrainian Jews see their service in the Ukrainian Armed Forces as part of the global struggle for independence.
“It is important to me that I, as a Jew, defend Ukraine. This is the country that gave us a roof, in whose soil many of our tzaddikim are buried. Yes, we have some bad parts of the history of Ukrainians and Jews, but now we have a chance to correct it.”
These words of Akiva Alexander reflect deep respect for the country in which the Jewish community lives. Relations between Israel and Ukraine are strengthening, despite the difficult historical past. Gilgur is confident that Jews and Ukrainians should strive to correct the mistakes of the past, setting an example of mutual assistance and kindness.
The stories of fighters from Kyiv's Jewish community, such as Igor Tish and Akiva Alexander Gilgur, highlight the unique connection between Ukraine and Israel. In times of war, the Jews of Ukraine not only fight for their country, but also help with their knowledge, technology and humanitarian support.
Completely original (Ukrainian) – “Okrema Israeli power” at the ZSU: Kiev Jews at the mercy of Ukraine”
On NAnews we believe that stories like this serve as an example for future generations of how two cultures can support each other in difficult times.
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