- December 20, 2025
- 11:41 pm
- Israel
On January 15, 2025 it became known that The Israeli Knesset approved a bill to perpetuate the memory of the outstanding Rabbi Chaim Drukman.
Born in 1932 in the Carpathian town of Kuty (now a village in the Kosovo region of the Ivano-Frankivsk region of Ukraine), he became one of the key figures of religious Zionism, leaving a deep mark on the history of Israel. This law highlights his enormous contribution to the unification of the Jewish people.
Chaim Druckman – an example of how Jews from Ukraine made a significant contribution to the development of modern Israel. His life became a bridge between the Ukrainian heritage and the Israeli future.
Ukrainian roots and childhood
At the beginning of the 20th century Kuty town was home to a multi-ethnic population, including a significant Ukrainian, Polish and Jewish community.
- Jewish community of Kutov:
- In 1765, 124 Jewish families lived in Kuty.
- The city was famous for its Jewish traditions, synagogue and cemetery.
Chaim Druckman's childhood occurred during a tragic period in Jewish history. With the outbreak of World War II, the Jewish population of Galicia was subjected to mass extermination.
With the beginning of the German-Soviet war, Hungarian troops, allies of Germany, entered Kuty (July 1, 1941), who transferred power to the German administration in August. During the German occupation, almost all Jews were exterminated.
- Holocaust in Kuty:
- On April 9, 1942, 1,038 Jews were killed in Kuty.
- On August 15 of the same year, another 1,181 people were shot in the Sheparovsky forest.
Chaim Druckman and his family miraculously survived. On Passover 1942, he hid with his parents in the basement under his uncle’s house in the non-Jewish (Ukrainian) part of the city.
In the summer of 1942, his parents fled with him to Chernivtsi, which was at that time part of Romania, where they stayed for a year. Druckman spent some time in the shelter. His parents later handed him over to a childless Jewish couple who received certificates of entry into Palestine, and sent him with them in August 1944 on one of three ships from Constanta to Istanbul.
According to the original plan, they were supposed to sail on the Mefkura, but they were late and got on another ship, and thus escaped, as the Mefkura was sunk by a submarine, and almost all the passengers died. After the war, his parents immigrated to Israel and the family was reunited.
Chaim Druckman's main achievements for Israel
1. Leadership in Religious Zionism
Chaim Drukman became a symbol of the religious Zionist movement, combining tradition and the desire for national revival.
- He headed the Ohr Etzion yeshiva, which became a center of religious education.
- He led the Bnei Akiva yeshiva association, teaching thousands of students.
- Supported the integration of religious values into modern Israeli society.
2. Political activity
Drukman was a member of the Knesset and served as Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs. In this role, he actively promoted legislative initiatives that strengthened Israel's Jewish identity.
3. Management of the conversion system
From 2004 to 2012, Chaim Drukman led the process of conversion (acceptance of Judaism) in Israel. Under his leadership, tens of thousands of people became part of the Jewish people.
Disciples who became leaders of Israel
Chaim Druckman raised thousands of students, many of whom took up key positions in Israel. Among them:
- Naftali Bennett – Former Prime Minister of Israel.
- Yossi Cohen – Director of Mossad.
- Benny Ganz – General and Minister of Defense.
- Yoaz Hendel – Israeli politician.
- Israel Katz – minister and politician.
- Abraham Stern – head of educational programs.
These leaders emphasize how significant Druckman's influence was in shaping future generations.
Departure
Chaim Druckman died on December 25, 2022 in Jerusalem. at the age of 90 years. His death was a huge loss for Israel and the Jewish world. The main cause of death was complications caused by coronavirus infection.
His funeral became a national event. Thousands of people gathered to pay tribute to a man who dedicated his life to serving the Jewish people.
Law on perpetuation of memory
In 2025, the Israeli Knesset passed a law establishing a state corporation to preserve the legacy of Chaim Drukman.
Rabbi Chaim Meir Drukman (1932 – 2022) was a prominent Israeli rabbi, head of a yeshiva, educator, public figure in religious Zionism, and author of numerous philosophical works. He held key positions in the leadership of Religious Zionism, including the positions of head of the Ohr Etzion yeshiva and president of the Bnei Akiva yeshiva association. Drukman was a member of the Knesset and Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs from the MAFDAL party, and also headed the conversion system in the Prime Minister's Office from 2004 to 2012.
In 2012, he was awarded the Israel Prize for Lifetime Achievement.
The main objectives of the corporation:
- Creation of a museum, archive and research institute.
- Conducting educational events.
- Promoting the values that Druckman preached: love for the Torah, the people and the Land of Israel.
The law is intended to highlight Druckman's contribution to uniting the people of Israel based on love for the Torah and the Land of Israel.
According to the law, the corporation will be responsible for establishing a research institute, museum and archive dedicated to the life and work of Rabbi Druckman. Tours and events will be held at these institutions so that residents of the country can become acquainted with the legacy of the deceased
.
The influence of Ukrainian Jewish history on Druckman
Ukraine has always been an important center of Jewish culture. Galicia, where Druckman was born, became the birthplace of many outstanding rabbis, thinkers and cultural figures.
- Jewish tradition of Galicia:
- Development of Hasidism.
- Contribution to the spiritual and philosophical heritage of the Jewish people.
Druckman carried through his life the memory of the Jewish communities of Ukraine and their traditions.
Table: Contributions of Chaim Druckman
| Scope of activity | Key achievements |
|---|---|
| Religious Zionism | Leadership, founding yeshivas, raising generations of leaders |
| Political activity | Knesset member, legislative initiatives |
| Conversion | Managing the process, integrating thousands of new citizens |
| Education | Trained thousands of students, including prime ministers and ministers |
| Heritage | Law on perpetuation of memory, recognition at the state level |
Conclusion
The life of Chaim Drukman became a bridge between the Jewish history of Ukraine and modern Israel. His contributions to religion, education and public life make him a figure of global importance.
Our website NAnews – Israel News continues to talk about outstanding personalities who connect the history of Ukraine and Israel. Subscribe to learn more about those who are changing the world.
You can find out more in the section “Jews from Ukraine” on the NAnews website.
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