A favorite vodka and popular soccer club are making their distance from Russia clear.
Yuri Shefler, the Jewish owner of the once Russian and iconic vodka, Stolichnaya, has changed the name to Stoli in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“While I have been exiled from Russia since 2000 due to my opposition to Putin, I have remained proud of the Stolichnaya brand,” said Shefler in a statement. “Today, we have made the decision to rebrand entirely as the name no longer represents our organization. More than anything, I wish for ‘Stoli’ to represent peace in Europe and solidarity with Ukraine.”
Stoli’s production facilities are located in Latvia, where they have been since Shefler was exiled.
A Russian Jew, Shefler has both UK and Israeli citizenship.
Roman Abramovich, the Russian Jewish billionaire under scrutiny over his ties to President Putin, announced March 2 he is selling the Chelsea Football Club he has owned since 2003.
Abramovich wrote in a statement: “As I have stated before, I have always taken decisions with the Club’s best interest at heart. In the current situation, I have therefore taken the decision to sell the Club, as I believe this is in the best interest of the Club, the fans, the employees, as well as the Club’s sponsors and partners.”
In his statement, Abramovich also pledged that “all net proceeds” raised from the sale will go toward aid to “victims of the war in Ukraine.”
“This includes providing critical funds towards the urgent and immediate needs of victims, as well as supporting the long-term work of recovery,” he wrote. (JTA)
–Jacob Gurvis and JN staff