The State Agency of Ukraine for Arts and Artistic Education (Derzhmystetstv) has announced the results of the Sholem Aleichem Prize 2025. This year, the jury reviewed 14 applications from Ukrainian authors and selected the laureate, along with two honorary diploma recipients.

Who is the winner?

🏆 The main prize was awarded to Leonid Leiderman for his short story collection “Kohana Vyyde” (published by Politekperiodika, 2024).

📌 What is the book about?
The collection features stories depicting the life of Jewish Odesa in the late 20th century. The focus is on ordinary people facing the changes of an era. Through the characters’ lives, the author explores themes of humanity, dignity, love, and the struggle for meaning.

Honorary diploma recipients of the 2025 award

🏅 Oleksandr Volodarsky – for his play “Khай вам таки щастить!”
🏅 Tetyana Nypypenko – for the non-fiction book “Ezekution: The Uman Collection of Borderless Ones” (translated from Yiddish and Russian)

📌 Why is it important?
The Sholem Aleichem Prize supports authors who promote Jewish heritage and strengthen cultural dialogue between Israel and Ukraine.

Leonid Leiderman

📚 Leiderman is a publicist, writer, and journalist, actively published in Odesa-based publications.

Main works:

📝 Poetry collection “Frosty Smoke” (2008)
📖 Short story collections “Wind of Change” (2014), “Extra Money” (2017), “After the Wedding” (2021)
📗 Novel “Ervand. Lina. Co-Creation of the World” (2021)

What does the jury say about his book?

“Leiderman’s characters are ordinary people living in turbulent times. Their lives are full of dramatic events, but the most important values for them are humanity, love, and dignity.”

History of the Sholem Aleichem Prize

📌 Established in 1999
📌 Awarded for literary works in Yiddish, Ukrainian, and Russian
📌 Recognizes writers, translators, and playwrights
📌 Main goal – to promote Jewish-Ukrainian cultural heritage

Who received the prize in recent years?

NAnews – News of Israel‼️ has already covered the significance of these works, emphasizing their contribution to preserving Jewish history and culture.

Sholem Aleichem – A Legend of Jewish Literature

🖊 Sholem Aleichem (real name – Sholem Nokhumovich Rabinovich) was a great writer who introduced the world to the lives of Jews in Ukraine and Eastern Europe.

📌 Born: March 2, 1859, in Pereiaslav (Ukraine)
📌 Languages of writing: Yiddish, Ukrainian, Russian
📌 Main themes: Jewish fate, tragicomedy, family stories
📌 Most famous works:

• 📖 “Tevye the Dairyman” – the basis for the musical “Fiddler on the Roof”
• 📖 “Menachem-Mendl” – a satirical novel about dreams and reality
• 📖 “Motl, the Cantor’s Son” – a touching story of a Jewish emigrant

❝ Sholem Aleichem is called the “Jewish Mark Twain” for his ability to blend humor and tragedy. ❞

Why is the Sholem Aleichem Prize important for Ukraine and Israel?

📌 Preserves Jewish-Ukrainian heritage
📌 Promotes Jewish literature among Ukrainians
📌 Builds cultural bridges between Kyiv and Tel Aviv

“We support authors who write about Jewish history and traditions in Ukraine.” – Derzhmystetstv

Today, Jewish culture remains an integral part of Ukraine, and Ukrainian Jews are active citizens of Israel. This prize is another step in strengthening the friendship between our nations.

Conclusion

🏆 The Sholem Aleichem Prize 2025 has become an important event in Ukraine’s literary landscape.
📚 The main award went to Leonid Leiderman, the author of a book about the life of Jewish Odesa in the late 20th century.
🎭 Honorary diplomas were awarded to Oleksandr Volodarsky and Tetyana Nypypenko for their contributions to drama and non-fiction literature.

This prize not only supports talented authors but also highlights the deep connections between Ukraine and the Jewish people.

NAnews – News of Israel‼️ continues to cover important cultural events. Follow our publications to stay updated on the latest news from Israel and Ukraine!