Montreal’s Jewish Public Library (JPL) is going ahead with screening a film that was financially backed by Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich who is now sanctioned by Canada, despite some critics saying the event should be cancelled.
JPL executive director Michael Crelinsten confirmed that the online screening of Song Searcher: The Times and Toils of Moyshe Beregovsky will take place as planned on March 15, in association with KlezKanada, the Montreal Holocaust Museum (MHM), Montreal Workers’ Circle and Toronto Workmen’s Circle.
“We have had extensive discussions, given the current context, and have come to the conclusion, as described in (an earlier) statement, to proceed with the screening. The statement is posted on various online sites and will be read prior to the screening itself,” Crelinsten told The CJN on March 11.
On March 9, the day before Canada announced it was immediately imposing sanctions on Abramovich, the Russian Jewish billionaire said to be a longtime confidante of President Vladimir Putin, the JPL and KlezKanada issued a statement defending its decision to present Song Searcher, a recent documentary by Elena Yakovich. The film’s website states up front that it is produced by VIKO TV “in association with Roman Abramovich.” VIKO TV is the company of executive producer Victorina Petrossiants.
The joint statement reads in part: “In recent days it has come to our attention that the film’s primary financial sponsor is Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich. His name appears prominently at the start and end of the film, and is featured on some of the film’s promotional materials.
“According to many, Abramovich is one of Vladimir Putin’s closest associates, named by imprisoned Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny as ‘one of the key enablers and beneficiaries of Russian kleptocracy.’
“At the same time, Abramovich has used his enormous wealth to support a variety of worthwhile endeavours with some of the world’s most renowned Jewish institutions and in support of a range of Jewish cultural projects; this film is one small example of that activity.
“While we recognize that much good has come from Abramovich’s philanthropic efforts, in good conscience, we feel we must acknowledge that the source of his largesse is fundamentally compromised. Especially in light of the current Russian invasion of Ukraine, in no uncertain terms we wish to distance ourselves from Abramovich and condemn his activities that enable and support Putin’s regime.”
The organizations decided that Song Searcher, whose screening was scheduled before the Russian invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, is an “all too timely story of Jewish cultural survival in Ukraine under Stalinism and before, during and after the Second World War.”
Moyshe Beregovsky (1892-1961) was an ethnomusicologist, who from the 1920s until his exile by the Stalinist regime in 1950, travelled throughout Ukraine to record traditional Jewish music, rescuing a cultural heritage from annihilation.
Crelinsten concedes the JPL faced a difficult dilemma. “I am reminded of the observation that often, in the face of certain problems, there are no easy answers, only intelligent choices.Hopefully, we have found our way, reasonably, through this one.”
On March 11, KlezKanada stated it is “standing in sadness and solidarity with all those affected by Russian’s invasion of Ukraine and with all those who protest the war and violence. Ukraine is the heartland of many cultures, a place where many languages and traditions have blossomed, mixed and struggled in close contact. Indeed, Yiddish language, culture, song and music have a complex and centuries-long presence in these lands.”
The MHM condemned the invasion early on, saying that Russia’s claims of “denazification” and “falsely accusing Ukrainian authorities of committing genocide is an insult to history.”
Abramovich is among five individuals whose economic activities in Canada were halted in response to Russian aggression. Ottawa’s action followed shortly on the United Kingdom’s sanctioning of Abramovich on March 10. The owner of England’s Chelsea Football Club, Abramovich holds a significant stake in the Canadian steel company Evraz.
Abramovich’s reputation has also been tarnished in Israel, where he holds citizenship and is a major philanthropist. Hours after the UK announcement, Yad Vashem said it was suspending ties with Abramovich, who the previous month pledged an “eight-figure” donation to its Holocaust remembrance work.
Canada’s antisemitism special envoy Irwin Cotler, founder of the Raoul Wallenberg Human Rights Centre, has charged that Russia is committing war crimes and Putin should be brought before the International Criminal Court.
Meanwhile, Federation CJA, of which the JPL and MHM are agencies, reported on March 11 that $650,000 had been raised for its Ukraine emergency relief fund, part of a North American $20-million campaign by Jewish federations.
Locally, the federation is enhancing psycho-social support to those with connections to Ukraine. Its social service agency Ometz’s caseload includes 23 families who immigrated from Ukraine and 10 from Russia, and 61 whose birth country is Ukraine and 80 Russia. Most have been here less than five years.
The majority-Jewish City of Côte St. Luc started selling blue-and-yellow ribbons to benefit the federation and Canadian Red Cross relief efforts. It’s also collecting clothing, sleeping bags and first-aid supplies to be forwarded to St. Michael’s Ukrainian Catholic Church in Montreal.
