Jewish TV proves a hit in Ukraine
Two 30-minute programs, '613' and 'Mazel Tov', catch on with primarily non-Jewish audience of country's main state-run television channel
"613" (named after the ancient rabbinic view that the Torah contains 613 mitzvot) and "Mazel Tov" are 30-minute programs alternating each week, both produced by Jewish organizations. However, the shows have caught on with a primarily non-Jewish audience.
“Having Jewish shows on the airwaves of the main state TV channel is a positive thing and a good sign of democratic development of Ukraine,” said Zhanna Burgina, the chairwoman of the Reform Jewish congregation in Kiev, according to the JTA. “The shows help promote Jewish culture and Judaism both for Jews and non-Jews.”
"613" covers a range of Jewish topics, including holidays, Jewish traditions both past and present of Jewish communities in Ukraine, and Chabad. It celebrated its first anniversary in June. "Mazel Tov" has been running for six years.
Jews make up only about 100,100 to 250,000 of the country’s 47 million people, and are the only religious minority that has shows on Ukrainian national television.
Reprinted with permission from Shalom Life
