Lozhkin awards Sheptytsky medal to head of World Jewish Congress

"Ronald Lauder helped unite the entire Jewish community of Ukraine through the educational institutions, such as Camp Shuva, Jewish day schools and kindergartens, and create a modern security monitoring system to protect the Jewish community," the Jewish Confederation of Ukraine quoted Lozhkin as saying.

The Jewish Confederation of Ukraine – an association of independent public, charitable and religious Jewish organizations – was established in 1999. In 2013, the JCU established its own award, the Sheptytsky medal. The medal is awarded to public figures who have made a significant contribution to the cause of the Ukrainian-Jewish mutual understanding and cooperation. The winners of this medal are James Temerty, Victor Pinchuk and Ivan Dziuba.

Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky, in whose honor the award was named, was the leader of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church during the Second World War, a recognized Righteous Among the Nations, who helped save more than 150 Jewish lives. Sheptytsky sheltered Jews in his own residence and in monasteries. One of the children rescued by him, Dr. Leon Chameides, spoke at the ceremony of awarding Mr. Lauder.

On September 25, Lozhkin also signed an agreement of association with the American Jewish Committee.