Two years ago, a joint project of Museum “Jewish Memory and Holocaust in Ukraine” and the Hesed Menachem Foundation began its work. It is symbolic that the beginning of the open lecture “Jewish Heritage” fell on Hanukkah – a holiday of light and goodness. We believe that the light of knowledge, hope, mutual assistance and support, together with the conscientious work of both institutions, contributed to the creation of a friendly and benevolent atmosphere. During this time, project participants learned about the achievements of the Jewish people, prominent scientists, public figures, pages of Jewish history, etc.

On December 20, 2024, Dilfuza Hlushchenko, a researcher of Museum “Jewish Memory and Holocaust in Ukraine”, held another meeting with regular and new listeners of the lecture. The class was dedicated to an amazing woman who wanted to be not a housewife, but a businesswoman, and she succeeded. Ruth Handler is the Jewish “mother” of the legendary Barbie doll, the founder of the toy empire, a woman who overcame prejudice, stereotypes, and illness. According to statistics, in the early 1990s, 95% of girls in the United States played with the Barbie doll. Ruth Handler is a person who influenced the formation of the worldview of millions of children in many countries of the world. The developer of the most popular doll on the planet herself wrote: “Barbie has always demonstrated the fact that a woman has a choice.” Using her personal example, she showed that a woman can quite successfully combine household chores with a successful career. Ruth Handler is the first woman in the world to hold the position of vice president of the American Toy Manufacturers Association. Her story has inspired and continues to inspire.

At the end of the session, there was a discussion about the fate of the prominent Jewish figure. The last meeting of the project this year ended with warm and sincere wishes for the upcoming holidays.

The Jewish heritage is multifaceted. Let's learn interesting things together!