"Dubi" - toddlers’ club 2011-08-12

DubiHistory: "Dubi" (Hebrew for “bear cub”) began in December 2003. Children between 1 and 3 years of age assemble together with their parents once weekly; 3 to 6 year olds come five times a week for a two-hour session geared at building a nurturing environment for development and a friendly and safe atmosphere for the toddlers to interact, learn, and express themselves.

Activities: English language and computer literacy are taught at the club, as are drawing, sculpting, eurhythmics, cooking, gymnastics, and active games. Jewish history and culture take up a significant part of the schedule. The kids are introduced to Jewish tradition, Shabbat and Havdala ceremonies are held, and all Jewish holidays are celebrated in an effort to make Jewish traditions better known to the kids. At Dubi, the children play various games, read, draw, go swimming, and learn traditional Jewish and modern Israeli songs and dances.

A two-week day camp for 3 to 6 year olds is held every summer. This year, for the first time, a week-long camp will also be offered for 1-3 year olds.

Contact information: Dubi coordinator Ela Pavinskienė (3 to 6 year olds) This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and Margarita Koževatova (1 to 3 year olds) This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  Phone #: 8 (5) 2613003

"Ilan" - children’s club 2011-08-12

History: "Ilan" (Hebrew for “tree”) was established in 1989. It was one of the first organizations to make the Lithuanian Jewish Community its home. Today it brings together approximately 100 children and teens aged 7 to 15. Ilan began in Vilnius, but later expanded its operations by opening youth clubs in Kaunas, Klaipėda, Šiauliai, Panevėžys, and Ukmergė.

Activities: "Ilan" encourages rounded development by teaching English, Jewish traditional songs and dances, drama, sculpting, visual arts, and sports, including swimming, football, and basketball. Children learn about the Jewish culture, customs, and history. Family day trips to the countryside are held often, as are trips to cinemas and museums, and guided tours.

The club values parent-child communication and Jewish family meetings. Psychological activities, role playing games, quizzes, and meetings with scientists and artists are offered to the older children. Volunteering is encouraged: the children participate in a weekly Gmilut Hasadim program (Hebrew for “good deeds”) by visiting elderly people, looking after the cemetery, and doing charity work.

"Ilan" holds several summer and winter camps, nature trips, and sports competitions each year.

Contact information: Ilan coordinator Simona Psonikaite This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , Phone 862198567

"Knafaim" - teenagers’ club 2011-08-12

History: Children aged 7 to 18 used to come to the children’s club, Ilan, all together, until the organizers realized that teenagers have their own interests, conversation topics, and preferred activities, and opened in 2004 a club for teens called Knafaim (Hebrew for “wings”), bringing together youth aged 15 to 18.

Activities: 30-40 teens assemble weekly on Fridays with the intent to learn as much as possible about Jewish culture, history and tradition, to meet and spend time with interesting people. The meetings are dedicated to aspects of Judaism and subjects important to teenagers. On the final Friday of each month, entertainment or sports events are held.

Contact information: Knafaim coordinators Rachmil Garber This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Phone 868680284 and Aida Fainberg This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  Phone 860749385.

School of Madrichim 2011-08-12

School of MadrichimHistory: The School of Madrichim (Hebrew for “counselors”, “guides”) was founded within the Ilan club in 1997. The first youth leaders had decided to pass on the information and knowledge they had collected in order for other madrichim to be able to educate others efficiently. At first, only 6 counselors were taking part in the School of Madrichim, three years later there were 14, even later – more than twenty.

Activities: The School of Madrichim helps young people discover and develop their leadership skills, learn to plan and organize events for children and adults. The School lets them develop their management, planning, and organizational skills, further their knowledge of Jewish culture, tradition, and history, and learn Jewish songs and dances.

Contact information: School of Madrichim coordinator Aleksandr Segal  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Phone 8683 42582.

Club for Lithuanian Jewish students and youth 2011-08-12

History: The club was opened in 1989, founded by active Jewish students who wanted to get their friends interested in Jewish culture and activities. Currently the club for Lithuanian Jewish students and youth unites approximately 150 people aged 19 to 25, high school and university students.

Activities: The club aims to popularize Jewish culture, art, and traditions among youth, and most importantly to create an environment for close cooperation and mutual education. The members of the club conduct active organizational, civic, and charity work, helping the elderly and the disabled. They are involved in organizing children’s camps and celebrations of Jewish national and religious holidays, visit theatres, exhibitions, and tours, and hold annual Days of Culture and Sports, all with the intent of attracting youth to various Jewish activities.

Beside preserving Jewish heritage and historical memory, the club organizes English, Spanish, and Hebrew classes, cinema projects and film showings, Jewish dance lessons, and sports (swimming, football, basketball). There are also frequent lectures and seminars on various subjects, round table discussions, and meetings with persons of interest or employment specialists.

Contact information: Club for Lithuanian students and youth coordinator Valentin Solomiak, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Phone #: 8 (5) 2613003