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Michael TkachJewish public figure
Date of Birth: 19.01.1959
Country:  Ukraine |
Content:
- Early Life and Education
- Artistic Endeavors
- Business Career
- Family and Personal Life
- Jewish Cultural Initiatives
- International Recognition
- COVID-19 Response
Early Life and Education
Michael Tkach, a prominent Jewish public figure, was born into a Jewish family in Dnipropetrovsk (now Dnipro), Ukraine. Initially registered with the surname Bronstein, he graduated from the Dnipropetrovsk Metallurgical Institute in 1981. During his time there, he co-authored a scientific patent.
Artistic Endeavors
Tkach's passion for the arts led him to become the artistic director of the "Tip-Top" creative collective from 1980 onwards. Under his guidance, the group earned the prestigious title of a national theater and won numerous festivals, including the "Student Meridian" festival. Sergei Tigipko, then First Secretary of the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Committee of the Young Communist League (Komsomol), provided significant support to the theater.
Business Career
In 1989, Tkach transitioned to entrepreneurship, fulfilling orders for the construction of the USSR Ministry of Foreign Affairs building and the Moscow metro. He also ventured into the metallurgical industry and collaborated with the Privat financial and industrial group. Additionally, he was a co-founder of the bank "Kredit Dnipro" (formerly "Municipal Bank"), now owned by Viktor Pinchuk.
Family and Personal Life
Tkach is married and has five children: four sons and a daughter.Jewish Public Activity
In 2014, Tkach was appointed as the Head of the United Jewish Community of Ukraine (UJCU) with the support of its president, Igor Valeriyevich Kolomoisky. Under his leadership, the UJCU expanded its reach significantly by partnering with 120 Jewish communities and organizations. The organization provides financial assistance to 16,000 Holocaust survivors and monitors and combats antisemitism through the Ukrainian Jewish Hotline "910." It has also established collaborations with the OSCE on minority issues.
Jewish Cultural Initiatives
Tkach has spearheaded several initiatives to foster Jewish culture in Ukraine. The UJCU has created a unified Jewish information space consisting of the online magazine "U-Jew!" and the Jewish news site "JewishNews," which is the most visited Jewish website in Ukraine. In 2018, the organization distributed 17 tons of machine-made matzah for Passover through a collaboration with the Vaad of Ukraine. Additionally, 13,000 sets of handcrafted matzah-shmura were distributed. Tkach actively participates in Jewish life, offering public greetings for Jewish holidays and lighting the Hanukkah menorah at the largest Jewish center in Dnipro, "Menorah."
International Recognition
Tkach's contributions to Jewish life have been recognized internationally. In 2019, the head of the "World Likud" party, Yaakov Haguel, appointed him as the official representative of the Ukrainian branch of the party. Additionally, he was elected as a delegate from Ukraine to the 38th World Zionist Congress.
COVID-19 Response
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Tkach initiated the provision of informational and psychological support to Jews in Ukraine through the "910" Jewish hotline. Over 34,000 reusable masks were distributed to Jewish communities, and 32,000 kilograms of matzah were provided for Passover.
