Meeting the Moment:

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'Nazism is born in silence.'

Volodymyr Zelenskyy, 2022

I'm not sure there has ever been a world leader meeting the moment stronger than the President of Ukraine.  Although like all politicians, he's not perfect, but Volodymyr Zelenskyy is certainly the man needed at this time.  The war in Ukraine has been going on for over a decade, starting with Russia's invasion and annexation of Crimea,  The fighting broadened into a full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022, marking a major escalation with widespread attacks across the country.

Zelenskyy with his personal trainer

This February will mark the 4th year since Russia began the escalated war.  I can't even imagine the pressure on Ukraine, it's people, and especially Zelenskyy.  Four years of leading a fight he never wanted.  Four years of worrying about his safety, and the safety of his family and the people he represents.  Four years of dealing with the responsibility of the men and women fighting the good fight.

Although his family wasn't particularly religions when he was growing up, Zelenskyy's, he's stated that most Jewish families in the Soviet Union were not especially religious.  Yet, his heritage and religion play a strong role in the man he is, and and the stamina it takes to do his job.  It's also a part of the core motivation for his passion to continue to fight for his country and it's people.

'The Ukrainian and Jewish communities have always been and, I am sure, will be very intertwined, very close. They will always live side by side. And they will feel both joy and pain together.'

Speech to the Knesset, March 2022. 

Volodymyr Zelenskyy  on Twitter