They say that every cloud has a silver lining. An antisemitic incident that took place in Vilnius last summer, when an aggressive individual spat at three visiting rabbis from Israel who had done nothing to provoke him, unexpectedly became the starting point for a new relationship and cooperation.

This unpleasant incident brought the international Orthodox Jewish organisation Dirshu and the Lithuanian Jewish (Litvak) Community closer together, after the Community came to the assistance of the rabbis who had been attacked.

Recently, a delegation of 90 rabbis from Dirshu visited Vilnius.

The guests visited the graves of several prominent Jewish religious figures in Lithuania, including the Vilna Gaon and Rabbi Baruch Ber Leibowitz. The delegation then proceeded to the grave of the Chafetz Chaim. Prayers were held during the visit, followed by a large gathering at which books published in honour of the Chafetz Chaim were presented.

The management of the Lithuanian Jewish (Litvak) Community’s kosher café played a particularly important role in organising the visit. They helped arrange the guests’ reception and attend to their needs, earning the delegation’s deep gratitude and appreciation for their genuine care and hospitality.

Nurturing Jewish life in Israel, where the entire environment is steeped in Jewish culture, tradition and religion, is considerably easier. Preserving and passing on these traditions within a small community, particularly in a country where religious life was prohibited and restricted for many decades, is an entirely different challenge. Organising Shabbat observances, providing kosher food and creating opportunities for people to live according to their traditions require not only knowledge but also tremendous dedication.

The work carried out by the management of our kosher café deserves sincere respect and gratitude. Their dedicated efforts to create a space for Jewish traditions and culture, which has recently received kosher certification, have already been recognised by numerous religious and secular delegations from abroad.

Sometimes, even a painful incident can mark the beginning of something meaningful: new connections, solidarity and a shared commitment to protecting what matters.