The 10-day period of genuine, heart-driven atonement/repentance, which began 10 days ago on Rosh Hashanah, culminates today, on Judaism’s holiest day, Yom Kippur, which commenced at sundown yesterday and will end at nightfall today.
Yom Kippur is a day of forgiveness for sins committed against God, as well as sins committed against fellow human beings. It is a day of hope and optimism, in addition to a solemn soul searching. We wish all our Jewish friends and neighbors good health and God’s blessings on this holiday season andafterward.
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The monthly pre-convention membership meeting of Cpl. Roman G. Lazor of Ukrainian American Veterans, headed by retired U.S. Army Col. Roman Rondiak of Osprey, who is also UAV National Adjutant, was held Friday at St. Andrew’s Ukrainian Religious and Cultural Center — the “Oseredok” (center) to Ukrainians. After the opening ceremony, post members commemorated recently departed charter member of Post No. 40 Rostyslaw Ratycz (1930-2016), Korean War veteran, honorably discharged as corporal in 1960 after serving two years on active duty and six years in the USAR.
Discussions of the 69th UAV National Convention, which will take place Oct. 13-15 in Chicago, including instructions for the post’s delegates to the convention, took up most of the meeting’s time. Also discussed was post’s participation in Veterans Day observances next month, election of officers, and the Officers Installation/ Fundraiser Luncheon on Wednesday, Nov. 16, at Heron Creek Golf and Country Club in North Port.
Tickets for the luncheon are $25 must be ordered by Nov. 9.
As provided by the bylaws, a list of proposed officer’s candidates was presented by yours truly on behalf of the nominating committee, to be voted at the next membership meeting at 1 p.m. on Nov. 4.
Col. Rondiak encourages all post members to attend that very important meeting which will also include reports of delegates to the 69th UAV National Convention.
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The monthly membership meeting of Ukrainian American Club of Southwest Florida, headed by Daria Tomashosky of North Port, normally held on the last Wednesday of the month, will be held this month at 6 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 19 at the “Oseredok.”
This change was necessitated by the scheduling conflict of the interesting and important featured speaker. All are invited, free of charge, to the meeting, which will include traditional pastries and coffee or tea social hour after the meeting. All meetings are conducted in English, and membership is open to all interested.
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Three Ukrainians, out of the total of 12, became grand winners of 2016 Karate 1-Premier League held this past weekend in Okinawa (Japan): Kateryna Kryva (50 kg), Anastasiya Stepashko (+68 kg), and Valerii Chobotar (84 kg).
A native of L’viv, Ukraine, Kateryna Kryva was the silver medalist in Istanbul, Turkey and Rotterdam, The Netherlands is stating her status with the triumphant performance in the first-class international Karate competition.
As the top international karate league competition came to an end in the birth nation of this discipline, the biggest 12 heroes of the year were announced.
Email: atanask@aol.com
Our Neighbors — The Ukrainians
by Atanas Kobryn
My wife Katrusia and I wish all our Jewish friends and neighbors Happy New Year 5777, Rosh Hashanah, the observance of which began at sundown on Sunday and ended at nightfall Tuesday.
Rosh Hashanah means “Head of the Year” It is also known as “The Day of Shofar Blowing” (“Yom Teruah”). It is the birthday of the universe, the day God created Adam and Eve, and it’s celebrated by candle lighting in the evening, festive meals with sweet delicacies during the night and day, prayer services that include the sounding of the ram’s horn (“shofar’) on both mornings (except when the first day falls on Sabbath), and desisting from creative work.
In Ukraine, more than 30,000 of Hassidic Jews from all over the world have gathered in a small city, Uman in the Cherkassy region, where there is one of the holiest Jewish shrines — the grave of “tsaddik” Rabbi Nachman — a charismatic founder of Breslavian Hassidim.
He moved to Uman in spring 1810. He preached his last lesson to hundreds of followers on Rosh Hashanah 1810 and passed away a few weeks later on Oct. 16, 1810, at the age of 38.
He was buried in Uman All who were fortunate to meet the New Year at the grave of tsaddik Nachman are certain that the year 5777 will be lucky for them.
The security of the pilgrims in Uman is being provided by 200 Ukrainian and 15 Israeli policemen.
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The monthly membership meeting of Cpl. Roman G. Lazor Post #40 of the Ukrainian American Veterans, headed by retired U.S. Army Col. Roman Rondiak of Osprey, who is also UAV National Adjutant, will take place at 1:00 p.m., this Fri., Oct. 7, at St. Andrew’s Ukrainian Religious and Cultural Center, 4100 S. Biscayne Dr., North Port.
United States armed forces veterans of Ukrainian descent, and others whose spouse is of Ukrainian descent, with other than dishonorable discharge are invited to join our post, thus far the only UAV Post in the state of Florida.
Col. Rondiak is urging all members to attend this meeting because one of the items on the agenda is election of post officers for the next term, and preparation for the formal installation scheduled to be held at noon, Wednesday, Nov. 16 at Heron Creek Golf and Country Club, 3401 S. Sumter Blvd., North Port.
Other important issues are also on the agenda to be discussed and approved by members.
Tickets for the Nov. 16 Officers Installation/Fundraiser Brunch Buffet Luncheon, are $25 per person and should be ordered in advance by contacting Gene at 941-786-5256, Roman at 941-445-5281, or yours truly at 941-4239499. There will be no tickets available at the door. Proceeds of the luncheon will support UAV programs (scholarships, welfare, etc.)
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Traditional Ukrainian American dinners are being served between 4 and 6 p.m., each Friday at the Ukrainian Catholic Parish Center located next to the Presentation of the Most Holy Mother of God (St. Mary’s) Ukrainian Catholic Church, 1078 N. Biscayne Dr. (corner of W. Price Blvd.), North Port.
For more information, call the Parish Hall at 941-423-2427, or Rectory at 941-4267931.
Email:atanask@aol.com.
Our Neighbors — The Ukrainians
by Atanas Kobryn
Patricia Zalisko of Estero, an active member of the North Port branch 56 of “Soyuz Ukrayinok” (Union of Ukrainian Ladies) and of the Presentation of the Most Holy Mother of God (St. Mary’s) Ukrainian Catholic Church in North Port, had been awarded a fellowship by the Virginia Center for the Creative Art. The VCCA is near Sweet Briar College in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in rural Virginia.
Zalisko will be among approximately 25 Fellows focusing on their own creative projects at this working retreat for visual artists, writers and composers. Each artist is provided with a comfortable private bedroom, a private studio and three prepared meals a day The VCCA is one of the world’s most prestigious and nation’s largest year-round artists’ communities. VCCA fellows have received worldwide attention and major awards and accolades, including Pulitzer prizes, Guggenheim fellowships, National Endowment for the Arts awards, Academy Award nominations and others.
Zalisko was a successful lawyer in New York City who decided to give up her legal practice and devote her time and talents to painting. She had several successful exhibits of her paintings in various cities, including New York City.
My wife Katrusia and I, as well as all members of the Southwest Florida Ukrainian American community, including her husband, Walter, are very proud of Patricia Zalisko, and wish her continuous success and more honors.
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The very popular traditional Ukrainian American dinners will commence to be served at the Ukrainian Catholic Parish Center on Friday, Sept. 30 between 4:30 and 6:00 p.m.
The Parish Center is near the Presentation of the Most Holy Mother of God (St. Mary’s) Ukrainian Catholic Church, 1078 North Biscayne Drive (corner of Biscayne Drive and West Price Blvd.), North Port.
Volunteers will gather at 8:00 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 29, to make the traditional Ukrainian potato and cheese, and fried cabbage “varenyky” (also known as pierogis) and “holubtsi” (cabbage rolls) with rice and hamburger meat, and rice and mushrooms. The dinners also include a piece of chicken or fish, soup or compote, and home baked pastries with coffee or tea.
More volunteers are always welcome. The time spent making varenyky and holubtsi is also a wonderful time to socialize with other parishioners and friends, and making new friends. For more information call 941-426-7931.
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The first post-vacation membership meeting of Ukrainian American Club of Southwest Florida, headed by Daria Tomashosky, of North Port, will be held at 6 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 28, at St. Andrew’s Ukrainian Religious and Cultural Center, 4100 S. Biscayne Dr., North Port. In addition to the standard reports of officers, there will be an interesting presentation by Lieda Boyko of Port Charlotte, who visited for over one month Ukraine last summer.
She traveled to various parts of Ukraine, including the Sumy region, and visited with families of Ukrainian soldiers defending Ukraine from the Russian aggression in the eastern region of Ukraine, including wounded and dead.
The traditional social hour with beverages and home-baked pastries will follow. There is no admission charge and all are welcome.
Email: atanask@aol.com
Our Neighbors — The Ukrainians
The 15th anniversary of the most deadly attack on the U.S. soil which resulted in the loss of nearly 3,000 lives, including American Ukrainians, was commemorated last Sunday with prayers by the local Ukrainian Americans.
A special prayer of the Ukrainian Orthodox congregation of St. Andrew’s Ukrainian Church at the conclusion of the Sunday’s Divine Liturgy for the repose of souls of the 9/11 victims was led by the Rt. Rev. John Fatenko. The Rev. Oleh Saciuk’s special sermon about the tragedy and heroic dedication of many first responders and civilian volunteers followed the prayers.
The “Panakhyda,” a traditional Ukrainian requiem service, was celebrated at the conclusion of Divine Liturgy (Mass) by the Rev. Vasyl Petriv, pastor of Presentation of the Most Holy Mother of God (St. Mary’s) Ukrainian Catholic Church for the repose of souls of the 9/11 victims.
The very solemn and moving service, with the church choir beautifully singing the responses ended with both the choir and the congregation singing “God Bless America.”
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The 15th anniversary of the tragic day is being vividly remembered by me and my wife, Katrusia.
After seeing on our TV screen the planes striking the World Trade Center towers, and knowing that our only daughter Maria Luba, an employee of Citibank, was working on the 47th floor, we did not know at first what to do.
Eventually we decided to call her home, hoping that one of her children would answer. To our delight, we heard the voice of our daughter. She informed us that her 4-month-old granddaughter Victoria had an appointment with a doctor, and because Victoria’s mother did not have any paid days off left, she volunteered to take a day off work and take her granddaughter to the doctor.
Was this a coincidence, or an act of Providence?
We believe it was the latter, and thank God for keeping our daughter alive.
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Last Friday, the meeting of Cpl. Roman G. Lazor Post #40 of the Ukrainian American Veterans, chaired by Commander Col. Roman Rondiak, U.S. Army, retired, dealt with several issues, including the UAV’s 69th National Convention, election of Post 40 officers at the next meeting Oct. 7, and Post #40 Officers Installation/ Fundraiser Luncheon at noon, Nov. 16 at Heron Creek Golf and Country Club in North Port.
Tickets for the Officers Installation/Fundraiser Luncheon at $25 per person can be ordered by no later than Nov. 6 by calling Gene at 941-786-5256, or Roman at 941-445-5281.
Checks should be made payable to UAV Post 40.
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The Board of Directors of the Ukrainian American Club of Southwest Florida, headed by Daria Tomashosky of North Port, met Monday at the Oseredok. Reports were presented by officers and committee chairs and decisions made regarding the following events: Traditional Club’s Christmas Party will be held Dec. 3, spring picnic i- March 8, 2017, and Scholarship Awards Luncheon - April 5.
The next membership meeting will take place at 6 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 28, at St. Andrew’s Ukrainian Religious And Cultural Center — the Oseredok.
Email: atanask@aol.com.
Our Neighbors — The Ukrainians
by Atanas Kobryn
Members of North Port’s Cpl. Roman G. Lazor Post 40 of the Ukrainian American Veterans, led by Post Commander, retired U.S. Army Col. Roman Rondiak, of Osprey, who is also UAV National Adjutant, will meet at 1 p.m. Saturday at St. Andrew’s Ukrainian Religious and Cultural Center — the Oseredok — in North Port. This is the first membership meeting after the vacation hiatus. The meeting will include several important agenda items, in addition to the financial and other reports, including nominating candidates for officers for the next term, election of delegates to the UAV 69th National Convention which will take place in Chicago from Oct. 13–15, and planning for the traditional Veterans Day dinner dance and installation of newly elected officers in November.
One of the UAV National Convention agenda items will be election of national commander and members of the national executive board for the next two years.
In view of all this, Commander Rondiak is asking all members to attend this important meeting.
Membership in The Ukrainian American Veterans is open to all Ukrainians, Ukrainian Americans, and Americans of Ukrainian descent veterans of armed forces of the United States who did not receive a dishonorable discharge. Also eligible are individuals who are not of Ukrainian descent who are married to a Ukrainian or Ukrainian American spouse.
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The first post vacation membership meeting of North Port’s Milena Rudnycka Branch 56 of the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America — UNWLA, popularly known as “Soyuz Ukrayinok” (Union of Ukrainian Ladies), headed by President Ann-Marie Susla, of Englewood, will take place at 10 a.m. Sept. 13 at the Ukrainian Catholic Parish Center, 1078 N. Biscayne Dr., North Port.
The agenda of the meeting will include, in addition to the mandated reports of officers, discussion of plans for the traditional fall picnic (date and location to be determined at the meeting). The traditional coffee and pastry social will follow the meeting.
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Plans are being formulated for the popular Ukrainian American dinners, served for many years on Fridays at the Ukrainian Catholic Parish Center next to the Presentation of the Most Holy Mother of God (St. Mary’s) Ukrainian Catholic Church in North Port, corner of West Price Boulevard and Biscayne Drive.
The opening date and schedule will be announced in a week or two.
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Last week was a special week for our family. We were visited by our son, Lt. Col. A Ihor Kobryn, his wife, Angelita, and their son and our youngest grandson S. Bohdan Kobryn. In addition to enjoying the visitors and marveling at the antics of our 6-year-old grandson Bohdan in and out of the swimming pool, we got to celebrate Ihor’s 46th birthday on Sept. 2 with a traditional birthday cake.
Our oldest son and Ihor’s brother, Alexander Zenon Kobryn of Lakeland, was able to join us also. His youngest nephew Bohdan was especially happy to see him.
Email: atanask@aol.com
Our Neighbors — The Ukrainians
by Atanas Kobryn
The vacation period is coming to an end. The calendar tells us that summer has about three more weeks to go, but the tradition holds Labor Day weekend as the end of summer. The local Ukrainian American community organizations are in the process of setting dates of their activities for the balance of this year and beyond.
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Several members of the North Port’s Cpl. Roman G. Lazor Post No. 40 of the Ukrainian American Veterans, the only UAV post in Florida, led by Post Commander retired U.S. Army Col. Roman Rondiak, participated in the Aug. 28 ceremony in St. Petersburg commemorating the 25th anniversary of restoration of Ukraine’s independence.
National Commander Ihor W. Hron of Osprey, Post 40 past post commander, made a speech, Post 40 Color Guard (Baranowskyj, Kompanijec and Maliczyszyn) commanded by PPC Marian Bojsiuk did very well.
Other Post 40 members attending: Czerkas, Pochodaj, Popovich, Radzibaba and Tomashosky.
The ceremonies were also attended by 15 foreign officers representing their countries at the headquarters of U.S. Central Command, including three officers of the armed forces of Ukraine.
Post 40 usually meets on the first Friday of the month, but due to the Labor Day weekend the first meeting of the season will take place at 1 p.m., Friday, Sept. 9, at St. Andrew’s Ukrainian Religious and Cultural Center, known as “Oseredok” (the center) to Ukrainians. It will be a very important meeting dealing with nominating candidates for post officers for the next two years, electing delegates for the UAV 69th National Convention which will take place Oct. 13 – 15 in Chicago, and other important issues.
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The North Port’s Milena Rudnycka Branch No. 56 of the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America, popularly known as “Soyuz Ukrayinok” (Union of Ukrainian Ladies), headed by Ann-Marie Susla of Englewood, which normally holds its monthly membership meeting on the first Tuesday of the month, will have its first post-vacation meeting at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Sept 13, at the Ukrainian Catholic Parish Center, 1078 N. Biscayne Dr., North Port.
The details of the meeting agenda are not available at this time, but the traditional coffee and pastries social will follow the meeting.
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News from Ukraine: The Ukrainian National Polytechnic University in Kyiv was given a name of famous Ukrainian and American pioneer in aircraft design Ihor Sikorsky. An appropriate order was signed by Ukraine’s Minister of Education and Science Lilya Hrynevych.
This National Technical University of Ukraine will henceforth be known officially as “Kyivan Ihor Sikorsky Polytechnic Institute.”
Ihor I. Sikorsky, best known for his successful development of the helicopter, was born May 25, 1889, in Kyiv, Ukraine (then part of the Russian empire), and died Oct. 26, 1972, in Easton, Connecticut. He studied engineering in Paris, and then returned to Kyiv to study at the university which now bears his name. His dream was to build a helicopter, which he eventually accomplished in the United States.
Email: stanask@aol.com
Our Neighbors — The Ukrainians
by Atanas Kobryn
Ukrainians, Ukrainian Americans, and Ukrainian Canadians join the people of Ukraine in today’s celebration of the 25th anniversary of restoration of Ukraine’s independence.
It was 25 years ago the Kyiv’s October Revolution Square — later renamed “Maidan Nezalezhnosti” (Independence Square) — was full of people with flags and posters demanding an end to the brutal Soviet Russian occupation.
The “Verkhovna Rada” parliament of the Soviet puppet state known as Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, composed mostly of Communist Party members and their sympathizers, was meeting in a special session in the aftermath of the hardline Communist coup attempt Aug. 19 in Moscow.
After a tense 11-hour session, it overwhelmingly approved the Act of Declaration of Independence.
The text of the Act of Declaration of Independence of Ukraine:
• In view of the mortal danger surrounding Ukraine in connection with the state coup in the USSR on August 19, 1991,
• Continuing the thousand-year tradition of state development in Ukraine,
• Proceeding from the right of nation self-determination in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and other international legal documents, and
• Implementing the Declaration of State Sovereignty of Ukraine, The Verkhovna Rada solemnly declares the Independence of Ukraine and the creation of an independent Ukrainian state — Ukraine.
The territory of Ukraine is indivisible and inviolable. From this day forward only the Constitution and laws of Ukraine are valid on the territory of Ukraine.
The Act passed with 321 votes in favor, two votes against, and six abstentions (out of 360 members).
The parliament also approved an act on nationwide referendum to validate the Act (which was held Dec. 1, 1991 and was approved by over 90 percent of voters), created the National Guard of Ukraine, and turned jurisdiction over all the armed forces and military installations located on the Ukrainian territory over to itself. As a result of this act Ukraine became the fourth-largest nuclear power in the world, until voluntarily agreeing to dispose of the arsenal following guarantees against threats or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of Ukraine.
Annexation of Crimea by Putin’s Russian Federation in March 2014 was a breach of its obligation to Ukraineunder the Budapest Memorandum signed by Russian Federation together with the United States and Great Britain.
Canada and Poland were the first countries to recognize Ukraine’s independence, both on Dec. 2, 1991, followed by the President Boris Yeltsin of Russia. The United States did so on Dec. 25, 1991.
That month the independence of Ukraine was recognized by 68 states, and in 1992, it was recognized by another 64 states.
As Ukraine celebrates the 25th anniversary of restoration of independence, its economy is still on shaky ground, and many political and social issues are not fully implemented, as the people of Ukraine are expecting following the Orange Revolution and the Revolution of Dignity, which included over one hundred dead patriots. The Russian annexation of Crimea, the incursion of Russian military personnel and armor into the eastern part of Ukraine’s Donbas and Luhansk regions in support of local terrorists which resulted in close to 10,000 death, and the continuous subversive acts by Russian operatives on the territory of Ukraine united all people of Ukraine, regardless of cultural, ethnic and religious background, like never before.
They feel proud of their free and democratic country, and are valiantly defending it.
May God bless Ukraine and its people for many, many years: “Mnohaya Leeta, Ukraine!”
Email: atanask@aol.com
Our Neighbors — The Ukrainians
by Atanas Kobryn