Swaying in Three Directions: Ilya Galant in Russian/Ukrainian-Jewish Historiography

Abstract

This article explores the life and work of an important but little-known Jewish-Russian-Ukrainian historian and political liberal, Ilya Galant, and examines his vision of Jewish history in Ukraine. Galant wanted to legitimize the rights of Jews in Russia and “normalize” their presence in Ukraine. To accomplish this goal he interpreted history creatively, demonstrating Jewish-Ukrainian friendship as well as Jewish contributions to Ukraine. He also appealed to the Russian intelligentsia to foster a liberal coalition of forces in favor of Jewish rights. This essay illuminates contexts that have not received proper scholarly attention: Jewish historiography on Ukraine, Jewish liberals in Russia, the development of Russian-Jewish historiography, the image of Jews in Polish-Ukrainian history, and Jewish scholarship in Soviet Ukraine.