YIVO: From Yiddish Academy in Vilna to Global Institution
Vilnius, Lithuania — 20 September 2015
PROGRAM
The conference hall of Building III of the Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania. Entry from the side facing the Lithuanian National Martynas Mažvydas Library.
Important: bring identification documents with you.
9:00 A.M.-9:30 A.M.
Registration of participants (*You must bring identification)
9:30 A.M.-9:45 A.M.
Welcome speeches
9:45 A.M.-10:15 A.M.
Dr. Cecile E. Kuznitz, Assoc. Professor of History, Director of Jewish Studies, Bard College (USA):
“The Palace of the People: The YIVO Institute in Vilna” (in English)
10:15 A.M.-10:35 A.M.
Dr. Abraham Lichtenbaum, Executive Director, IWO Foundation (Argentina):
“Zalman Reisen in Buenos Aires” (in Yiddish, translated to English)
10:35 A.M.-10:50 A.M.
Dr. Lara Lempertienė, Senior bibliographer for Jewish books at the National Library of Lithuania, YIVO’s Vilnius archivist (Lithuania):
“Assembling the Mosaic of the Past: The Remnants of Lithuania’s Jewish Community Life in Preserved Documents“ (in English)
10:50 A.M.-11:20 A.M.
Coffee break
11:20-11:35
Kristina Dūdaitė, Senior bibliographer at the National Library of Lithuania:
“Exploring the Remains of the YIVO Book Collection: The Issue of Knowledge” (in Lithuanian, translated to English)
11:35 A,M.-11:50 A.M.
Džiuginta Stankevičienė, Head of Communications Department, Lithuanian Central State Archives:
“YIVO Records at the Lithuanian Central State Archives“ (in Lithuanian, translated to English)
11:50 A.M.-12:10 P.M.
Dr. Dovid Katz, independent author & researcher (Vilnius):
“A Magical Success Story in Modern Language History: Vilna, Yiddish and YIVO (1913-1939)” (in Yiddish, translated to English)
12:10 P.M.-12:40 P.M.
Dr. Jonathan Brent, Executive Director, YIVO Institute for Jewish Research (USA):
“Building YIVO’s Future in America and Abroad” (in English)
12:40 P.M.-1:00 P.M.
Discussion about the digitization and dissemination of YIVO documents
1:00 P.M.-1:15 P.M.
Presentation of new calendar dedicated to the anniversary of the founding of YIVO for the Jewish year 5776
1:15 P.M.-2:30 P.M.
Lunch break
2:30 P.M.-2:50 P.M.
Dr. Mordehay Yushkovsky, Academic Director, World Jewish Congress (WJC) Yiddish Center in Vilnius:
“Vilna as a Beacon of National Remembrance in Yiddish Literature” (in Yiddish, translated to English)
2:50 P.M.-3:10 P.M.
Dr. Lea Garfinkel, Professor of Modern Yiddish Literature, Bar-Ilan University :
“The Jewish Underworld of Vilnius is Now in Heaven” (in Yiddish, translated to English)
3:10 P.M.-3:30 P.M.
Dr. Saulius Sužiedėlis, Professor Emeritus of History, Millersville University of Pennsylvania:
“Observers and Bystanders: Lithuanian Society and the Destruction of the Litvaks” (in Lithuanian, translated to English)
3:30 P.M.-3:50 P.M.
Dr. Šarūnas Liekis, Dean and Professor, School of Political Science and Diplomacy, Vytautas Magnus University, Director, Vilnius Yiddish Institute:
“Jewish Autonomy in Lithuania and Jewish Communities in Poland: Parallels and Contrasts” (in English)
3:50 P.M.-4.20 P.M.
Dr. David E. Fishman, Professor of Jewish History, The Jewish Theological Seminary of America:
“YIVO 1939-1944: Destruction in Vilna, Rebirth in America” (live via Skype from New York, in English)
4:20 P.M.-5:30 P.M.
Discussion and final speeches
*Organizers reserve the right to change the program without prior notice
ORGANIZERS: Lithuanian Jewish Community, YIVO Institute for Jewish Research
PARTNERS: World Jewish Congress (WJC) International Yiddish Center in Vilnius, Office of Chief Archivists of Lithuania, Lithuanian Central State Archives, Lithuanian National Martynas Mažvydas Library
SUPPORTERS: Goodwill Fund, World Jewish Congress