Volodymyr Zelensky

---

Volodymyr Zelensky was born in 1978 in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine, to a Russian-speaking family of Jewish heritage. His father was a computer scientist and his mother an engineer, and his grandfather served in the Soviet Red Army during World War II while some of his ancestors were victims of the Holocaust. Although his family knew of their Jewish roots, they lived under the Soviet system in which religious practice was suppressed and Jewish identity was only one part of their background. Zelensky himself has described his upbringing as that of “an ordinary Soviet Jewish family” but has said that religion is a private matter for him. 

Zelensky rose from a career as a comedian, television actor and producer (notably starring in the show “Servant of the People”) to becoming the sixth President of Ukraine in 2019. His campaign appealed to ordinary Ukrainians tired of corruption, oligarchic rule and political stagnation. Once in office—and especially during Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine—he became a symbol of national resilience, leadership in crisis, and a voice for Ukrainian sovereignty on the global stage. 

Zelensky’s impact is both national and global. Domestically, his election marked an unusual transition from entertainment to high political office, and his leadership during wartime has drawn international admiration for its courage and communications-savvy. Internationally, his speeches, appeals and moral framing of the war have rallied support for Ukraine from across the world. His Jewish background has also drawn attention in the context of Ukraine’s history and in global discussions about identity, minority representation, and leadership under fire. 

• Emerged from entertainment (comedy and television) to become President of Ukraine in 2019.
   
• Advocated for reform, anti-corruption, and transparency in Ukrainian governance.
   
• Led Ukraine during a major crisis (Russia’s invasion), becoming a global symbol of resistance and national unity.
   
• Brings to attention the intersection of Jewish heritage, Ukrainian identity and leadership in modern times.
   
• Utilizes media, social communication and storytelling to shape public discourse and international alliances.
   
• Highlights how personal background and wider historical context can influence leadership, identity and global recognition.
   

Students create a short storyboard or script (1–2 minutes) for a campaign video for a young leader. They must:

• Introduce themselves, background, values and cause.
   
• Use media elements (imagined video clips, slogans, images) to show how to connect with young adults.
   
• Reflect: How do communication skills and personal story matter in leadership and public life?

Divide students into small groups. Assign roles:

• Zelensky (the leader) – gives a speech and answers questions
   
• Journalists – ask questions about identity, leadership, communication, challenges
   
• Adviser – gives background about why certain communication choices are made
   

Scenario: The student playing Zelensky must address a national crisis and explain why their background matters (or doesn’t) and field tough questions about identity, heritage and leadership. After role-play, discuss: What strategies did the “leader” use? What messages came through about identity and value?