Abstract
The purpose of the article is to analyze the process of formation and evolution of political consciousness and Jewish communities’ activity in the towns of Right-Bank Ukraine at the beginning of the 20th century and during the era of the Central Rada of Ukraine. The methodological basis of the research is grounded in the principles of objectivity, historicism, systematicity, and verification. The applied methods include historical-descriptive, quantitative-statistical, comparative-historical, archaeographic, historical-sociological methods, as well as the case study method. The innovative scientific value of the paper lies in an in-depth analysis of the political consciousness and activity of the Jewish population in the towns of Right-Bank Ukraine, grounded in an extensive body of archival materials, a critical review of historiographical stereotypes, and the analysis of underexplored aspects of local socio-political life. Conclusions. The towns of Right-Bank Ukraine were arenas of profound ethnonational and socio-political transformations. A distinctive feature of these settlements was the high concentration of Jewish population, which not only constituted a significant portion of the overall demographic composition but also played an active role in the political, economic, and cultural life of the region. The political engagement of the Jewish population covered a broad spectrum – from the left-radical Bund to nationalist Zionist movements – demonstrating profound ideological polarization within the community itself. At the same time, Ukrainian - Jewish relations in urban areas were characterized by a certain degree of ambiguity. Despite certain instances of cooperation and solidarity during the revolutionary upheavals of 1917–1918, noticeable tensions arose, driven by social, economic, and political factors. However, it is important to note that it was precisely in the towns where elements of a new political culture began to emerge, which, despite all contradictions, created prerequisites for dialogue between ethnic groups.