Wooden Synagogue in Alanta Renovated
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LJC, International Comminission and Olga Lengyel Institute Holding Holocaust Seminars for Teachers
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LJC Chairwoman Faina Kukliansky Speaks at Commemoration of Grosse
Aktion in Kaunas
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Šiauliai Opens Righteous Gentile Square at the Intersection of Vilniaus and Ežero Streets at Former Ghetto Gates
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"Symphony from Jerusalem of the North” Mark Day of Lithuanian Jewish Victims of Genocide in Presidential Courtyard
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The renovated synagogue in Žiežmariai will become a new cultural center. The first synagogue in appeared sometime between 1690 and 1696. In the 19th century there three synagogues. Not surprising, since the majority of the population were Jewish. This synagogue which has survived and has now been renovated stands in the southern part of town between Vilniaus and Žalgirio streets, with the Strėva river flowing from southeastward from there.
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The Lithuanian Post Office has issued a stamp commemorating 300 years since the birth of the Vilna Gaon
The Lithuanian Post Office has issued a stamp commemorating 300 years since the birth of the Vilna Gaon
with a face value of 0.81 euros, enough to mail letters abroad.
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Lithuania Marks 300th Anniversary of Birth of Vilna Gaon, 2020 Named Year of the Gaon and Litvak History.
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Most important events at the Lithuanian Jewish Community in 2018
Most important events at the Lithuanian Jewish Community in 2018
Revival of Jewish Scouting in Lithuania: The first new Litvak scouting camping trip with children from Vilnius, Kaunas, Klaipėda, Panevėžys and Molėtai took place August 24 to 26.
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Jewish newspapers and advertisements from Vilnius in the period between the two world wars. Jews and other minorities were given equal rights in the reconstituted Lithuanian state. Yiddish thrived with many newspapers and books published in the language.
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A Railroad Town and How Tragedy Was Suppressed: Jewish History Revived in Rūdiškės

A Railroad Town and How Tragedy Was Suppressed: Jewish History Revived in Rūdiškės

Rūdiškės is a small town in the Trakai district which most people pass on the road without a thought about its complicated and painful history. The railroad came through in the 20th century and brought business and a Jewish population, almost completely exterminated in the Holocaust. Now local residents, teachers and descendants of people from the town are trying to revive memories of the past there, through testimonies, initiatives and manual labor.

For people travelling between Vilnius and Alytus, Rūdiškės is mainly just a name on a road sign. It has a railroad stop, a main square. a school and stores. The tranquil façade hides a complex story. Lithuanian language teacher Loreta Masienė says Rūdiškės is different from most towns because it was established around the railroad station.

“This was the first railroad in Lithuania, the St. Petersburg to Warsaw line. Rūdiškės began to grow around the railway and the Geležinė River,” she said.

Full story in Lithuanian here.

Natalja Cheifec on Raising Children according to the Torah

Natalja Cheifec on Raising Children according to the Torah

In the first part of a series on raising children according to the Torah, Natalja Cheifec will discuss:

• Main phases of raising and disciplining chldren according to age;

• Democracy or authority: which sort of relationships lead to greater harmony between parent and child;

• Which should come first, instilling good behavior or imparting understanding;

• Can parents and children be equal?

To participate and receive zoom credentials, click here.

Time: 6:00 P.M., Thursday, January 16
Place: internet

Condolences

Grigorijus Jechvedovas has passed away. He was born in 1947. He was a member of the Lithuanian Jewish Community and a client of the Saul Kagan Welfare Center. We extend our deepest condolences to his surviving wife, son and friends and family.

Sabbath Times

Sabbath Times

The Sabbath begins at 4:14 P.M. on Friday, January 9, and concludes at 5:19 P.M. on Saturday in the Vilnius region. Sabbath candles should be lit at 3:56 P.M. before sunset at 4:14 P.M.

Condolences

Ana Glaško has passed away. She was born in 1954. A longtime member of the Klaipėda Jewish Community, she served as chairwoman from 2000 to 2006. Our deepest condolences to her loved ones.

Sabbath Times

Sabbath Times

The Sabbath begins at 4:04 P.M. on Friday, January 2, and concludes at 5:10 P.M. on Saturday in the Vilnius region. Sabbath candles should be lit at 3:46 P.M. before sunset at 4:04 P.M. on Friday. January 4 is World Braille Day.

Condolences

Alė Šimulynienė has died. She was born in 1936. She was a member of the Lithuanian Jewish Community and a client of the Saul Kagan Welfare Center, We extend our deepest condolences on her loss to her surviving family and friends.

Lithuanian Economics Ministry Likes Idea of Holocaust Museum at Shnipishok Cemetery

Lithuanian Economics Ministry Likes Idea of Holocaust Museum at Shnipishok Cemetery

The Lithuanian Ministry of Economics and Innovation has issued a press release on the Baltic News Service webpage expressing approval for the idea of setting up a Holocaust museum at the former Palace of Sports built on top of the Vilna Jewish cemetery by the Soviets in the Shnipishok neighborhood on the northern side of the Neris (viliya( River.. The building has been in serious disrepair for over a decade.

“Taking into account the position held regarding the possibility of adapting the former Palace of Sports, since this site is not suitable for modern and competitive conference tourism… it would be more appropriate to renovate the Palace of Sports and equip it for use as a new memorial and museum,” the Economics and Innovation Ministry posted on the BNS press release webpage.

Vilnius mayor Valdas Benkunskas after meeting with economics minister Edvinas Grikšas last week told BNS the Vilnius municipality and the Economics Ministry have a common position regarding the aging concert and sports complex.

Mayor Benkunskas said: “We perceive in the same way that the Palace of Sports has to be renovated and adapted as a memorial and museum space, and that it wouldn’t be competitive for conference tourism, and would pose a risk to our public image as such.”

The Economics and Innovation Ministry earlier posted the building was not fit to use as a conference venue following a study ordered by the Government.

“According to the current studies, this site could only host some of the requirements as a venue, there would be a lack of parking places, and the costs of reconstruction are difficult to predict,” the Ministry said.

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Sabbath Times

Sabbath Times

The Sabbath begins at 3:57 P.M. on Friday, December 26, and concludes at 5:03 P.M. on Saturday in the Vilnius region. Sabbath candles should be lit at 3:39 P.M. and completed before sunset at 3:57 P.M.. Tuesday, December 30, is Asarah b’Tevet, the fast day is to mourn the siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylonia. December 28 and 29 are related days of fasting.

American Embassy Hosts Presentation of New Community Center

American Embassy Hosts Presentation of New Community Center

Goodwill Foundation co-presidents Rabbi Andrew Baker and Faina Kukliansky presented plans for a new Lithuanian Jewish Community Center at the US embassy in Vilnius last week.

World-renowned Litvak architect Massimiliano Fuksas’s team are drafting plans for the new building to be built at the site of the Great Synagogue complex in Vilnius Old Town.

Baker and Kukliansky provided details at the presentation on a planned YIVO exhibit at the new center telling the history of Litvaks, Litvak life, traditions, the people and their mass murder during the Holocaust.

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Sabbath Times

Sabbath Times

The Sabbath begins at 3:53 P.M. on Friday, December 18, and concludes at 4:59 P.M. on Saturday in the Vilnius region. Sabbath candles should be lit at 3:35 P.M. and completed before sunset at 3:53 P.M. The eight days of Hanukkah end at sundown on Monday, December 21. Hanukkah candles may be list according to Sabbath rules, at or before 3:35 O.M. on Friday.

Jacques Fux on Lazaris Segall

Jacques Fux on Lazaris Segall

The Vilnius Literary Palace at Šv. Jono street no. 11 will host an event with Brazilian author Jacques Fux who is on a UNESCO fellowship to research in Lithuania famous Brazilian artist Lazar Segall, who came from Vilnius. Kamilė Rupeikaitė and UNESCO’s Marija Mažulė will also speak at the event which will take place in English. The event will start at 7:00 P.M. December 17.

LJC on the Bondi Massacre in Australia

LJC on the Bondi Massacre in Australia

The attack perpetrated on Bondi Beach in Australia where the attackers shot Jews gathered to celebrate Hanukkah has caused deep concern and upset to the Lithuanian Jewish Community. The victims included children, rabbis, Holocaust survivors and non-Jews as well.

We extend our sincerest condolences to the Australian Jewish community and call on everyone to realize that this mass murder targeted Jews around the world, not just in Australia. This is an alarm bell warning us no Jewish community is safe anywhere in the world. Our members including women and children are vulnerable to attack at any time.

Large metropolises throughout the world including Berlin, London and New York have responded to attacks on Jews by increasing security. Sadly in recent times amid a rising tide of anti-Semitism in the world and in Lithuania, we daily encounter hostile actions, vandalism and violence. We are citizens of a member-state of the European Union who are being targeted by followers of recognized terrorist organizations.

We call upon our members to remain vigilant, and we call upon the Lithuanian Government and the citizens of Lithuania to take measures to protect Lithuania’s Jewish organizations, including the communities, the kindergarten, the Choral Synagogue and other sites.

Events in Washington, D.C., Berlin and Sydney demonstrate the danger is real and that in order to avoid further tragedy, we must act now. Tomorrow could be too late.

Condolences

Liucija Lavrenova has passed away. She was born in 1937. She was a member of the Kaunas Jewish Community and a client of the Saul Kagan Welfare Center. Our sincere condolences to her daughter, other family members and friends.

Hanukkah Greetings

Hanukkah Greetings

Dear friends,

We live in unusual times. We are surriunded by the danger of war. In our historical homeland Israel the war has not ended, people are still fighting and dying. In Ukraine people are suffering because of the actions of the aggressor.

I never thought I would live under conditions of war. I thought this generation, of ou children and grandchildren, would grow up without war. But this is what has happened, without regard to what we wanted.

Despite all these tragic circumstances, the holidays still go on, bringing light, jope and joy. Each day we light a candle to remind ourselves the world is entirely dark. There are also good developments in life, there is hope all the wats will end, we will be safe and our children and grandchildren will be sage, healthy and happy and won’t have to face these dangers in the future.

Hanukkah, the festival of lights, jas been celebrated xince ancient times. Ot gives us hope that in the country where we live anti-Semitism will disappear and demonstrations against Israel will fade away. Instead of crying, we will fight anti-Semitism.

I wish you all the best. Most importantly, I wish you health, happiness, hope and a happy Hanukkah.

Hag urim sameakh,

Faina Kuklianksy, chairwoman
Lithuanian Jewish Community