Religion

LJC Rejects Jonava Cultural Center’s Anti-Semitic Activities

LJC Rejects Jonava Cultural Center’s Anti-Semitic Activities

The Regional History Museum of the Jonava Cultural Center in Jonava, Lithuania, posted an invitation on January 18 for the public to attend an arts workshop in the run-up to the Lithuanian holiday Užgavėnės, or Shrovetide:

“We invite you to a creative workshop for adults this January 22 at 2:00 P.M. called “Making Užgavėnės Masks!” We’ll use papier-mâché on wooden frames! … The function of having fun is the basis of this holiday, it’s essence and core! This is a day when social conventions are ignored, rules are broken and ethical and moral principles are transgressed! You can do anything, but only during this time!”

Unfortunately traditional masks made and worn on Užgavėnės include grotesque stereotypes of Jews and Roma.

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Litvak Identity Museum Opening

Litvak Identity Museum Opening

Yesterday evening the Litvak Culture and Identity Museum opened next door to the Lithuanian Jewish Community in Vilnius.

LJC chairwoman Faina Kukliansky spoke at the opening ceremony, saying the long-awaited exhibits would finally be made public and should be very interesting. She said the history of the Litvaks didn’t begin and end with the Holocaust, that we have a rich history which hasn’t gone away and that the new museum will offer the public a view of that history.

“We are neighbors, the Lithuanian Jewish Community is based right here, on the other side of the wall, in the same building, the former Tarbut gymnasium. We are alive and are celebrating our Jewish identity, and everyone who learns something here at the museum, we invite them to stop by the Community as well, to try our bagels, listen to music and participate in our events. Food, culture and other Community activities of which we are proud–these are all part of the Litvak identity,” Kukliansky said.

Israeli ambassador to Lithuania Hadas Wittenberg-Silverstein also spoke at the opening.

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Vilna Gaon Museum Opens New Litvak Culture and Identity Museum

Vilna Gaon Museum Opens New Litvak Culture and Identity Museum

Photo by I. Gelūnas

The Vilna Gaon Jewish History Museum reopens its branch in the former Tarbut Gymnasium at Pylimo street no. 4a Thursday, January 18, following reconstruction and the installation of a new Litvak Culture and Identity exhibit.

The space used to house the museum’s History Department and Gallery of Righteous Gentiles, and has been undergoing renovation for several years. The third floor will now house a permanent exhibit on the life and work of Rafael Chwoles, the Litvak artist. Other exhibits feature Litvaks who found fame and achievement around the world in various fields of endeavor. The space includes four storeys accessible by stairs.

The Vilna Gaon Jewish History Museum includes consists of several sub-museums and spaces including the Tolerance Center, the Holocaust Museum, an information space at the Ponar Memorial Complex outside Vilnius and soon an exhibit inside the former Jewish ghetto library in the Vilnius Old Town.

Full story in Lithuanian here.

One Million Bells in Lithuania

One Million Bells in Lithuania

On Sunday bells rang out around the world and in Lithuania to remember the hostages who were kidnapped by Hamas on October 7 in Israel.

The date marked 100 days since that attack and 100 days of horror, darkness and unknowing for the hostages still being held.

We thank Evangelical Lutheran bishop Mindaugas Sabutis for his support in joining the campaign and ringing church bells to bring them home.

#BringThemHomeNow

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Sabbath Times

Sabbath Times

The Sabbath begins at 3:50 P.M. on Friday, January 5, and concludes at 5:13 P.M. on Saturday in the Vilnius region.

Sabbath Times

Sabbath Times

The Sabbath begins at 3:41 P.M. on Friday, December 29, and concludes at 5:05 P.M. on Saturday in the Vilnius region.

Kaunas Jewish Community Celebrates Hanukkah

Kaunas Jewish Community Celebrates Hanukkah

“In lighting the final, the eighth Hanukkah candle, we wish all hope and faith, that light overcome the darkness, but we wish for victory to be reached as early and rapidly as possible there were it is most needed,” Kaunas Jewish Community chairman Gercas Žakas said at a ceremony marking the final day of Hanukkah in Kaunas.

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Lost World Photo Exhibit

Lost World Photo Exhibit

December 13 the Lithuanian Ministry of Culture opened an exhibit of 15 specially selected photographs of the former Jewish quarter and Great Synagogue by pre-war photographer Jan Bulhak as part of closing ceremonies in the celebration of Vilnius’s 700th birthday, the newspaper Lietuvos Rytas reports on its website lrytas.lt

Culture minister Simonas Kairys, former culture minister Arūnas Gelūnas who now directs the Lithuanian National Art Museum which selected the photographs for the exhibit, Israeli ambassador to Lithuania Hadas Wittenberg-Silverstein, Lithuanian Jewish Community chairwoman Faina Kukliansky and others attended the opening. Boris Kizner provided Jewish airs on violin.

Gelūnas told Lietuvos Rytas television only two of the fifteen photographs contain human beings because the photographer thought empty streets and vacant sidewalks showed off the architecture better and presented a more romantic picture of the city.

“In a way he was prophetic in this: after World War II all these streets were emptied of people,” Gelūnas noted. He added the lessons of history haven’t been learned, anti-Semitism is alive and well in the world and people still cling to authoritarianism.

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Polish MP Extinguishes Menorah Calling Jews “Satanic Cult”

Polish MP Extinguishes Menorah Calling Jews “Satanic Cult”

MP in Polish Sejm tore fire extinguisher from wall at Hanukkah event in parliament

A far-right Polish politician has been filmed attacking a menorah during a Hanukkah ceremony. Polish MP Grzegorz Braun used a fire extinguisher to douse a hanukiya during a candle-lighting ceremony in the Polish parliament on December 12.

In videos shared on Twitter, the politician can be seen in the parliament lobby tearing a red extinguisher from the wall and marching over to the large hanukiya, where he douses it in white powder.

After extinguishing the candles, Braun blasted a nearby woman who had attempted to stand in his way with the spray from the fire extinguisher. Those around him could be heard saying: “You should be ashamed.”

Braun responded: “Those who take part in acts of the satanic cult should be ashamed.”

Braun is the leader of the monarchist Confederation of the Polish Crown party. He has opposed NATO expansion into the Ukraine. According to wikipedia: “Braun’s activities have been characterized by a series of anti-Semitic incidents and pro-Russian stances. In 2023 he disrupted a Holocaust lecture, destroyed equipment and made derogatory comments about Jews.”

Parliamentary speaker Szymon Holownia denounced the incident and told reporters “this never should have happened.” The speaker ordered Braun to leave the event and said he would call for the incident to be investigated. Parliamentary proceedings were suspended.

Article here.

In Every Generation: Vancouver Remembers 1985 Firebombing of Synagogue

In Every Generation: Vancouver Remembers 1985 Firebombing of Synagogue

Photo: This menorah survived a firebomb attack at Vancouver’s Temple Sholom in 1985. (CBC)

A menorah has become a symbol of hope after surviving a 1985 firebombing at a Vancouver synagogue

The old Temple Sholom was destroyed during an arson attack in 1985, but a menorah withstood the blaze

A menorah is one of the last remaining vestiges of a Vancouver synagogue that was ravaged by a firebomb in 1985.

In the pre-dawn hours of January 25, 1985, a Molotov cocktail was hurled through a first-floor window into Temple Sholom, which at the time was located on West 10th Avenue.

While no one was hurt in the bombing, it destroyed much of the building. The arsonist was never apprehended.

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Lecture: The Miracle of Hanukkah

Lecture: The Miracle of Hanukkah

You’re invited to a lecture by Natalja Cheifec called The Miracle of Hanukkah this Wednesday at 5:30 P.M. via the zoom internet platform. You’ll learn:

-about Hanukkah as a holiday preserving tradition
-what the Most High does during Hanukkah
-why Jews gaze at candle flames during Hanukkah
-about Hanukkah doughnuts and Hanukkah gelt

Register and receive log-in credentials here: https://bit.ly/3K73kEE

Lithuanian Prime Minister Sends Hanukkah Greetings

Lithuanian Prime Minister Sends Hanukkah Greetings

Lithuanian prime minister Ingrida Šimonytė released a video Hanukkah greeting. An unofficial translation follows.

I sincerely greet all Jews of Lithuania and the world on the Hanukkah holiday! Hanukkah tells the story of the strength of the human spirit. It reminds us that even the most fragile flame can dispel the darkness, overcome evil and light the way forward. This holiday is dedicated to expressing gratitude for the miracles in our life, big and small, seen and unseen, from the most ancient times till today. It reminds us that nothing is impossible. That’s so important now when there is so much hatred, brutality and growing anti-Semitism in the world. I am convinced the miracle of Hanukkah, faith and wisdom will help us overcome all obstacles. May the light of the Hanukkah candles bring peace and tranquility into your homes and hearts! Happy Hanukkah! Hag Hanukkah sameakh!

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Sabbath Times

Sabbath Times

The Sabbath begins at 3:35 P.M. on Friday, December 8, and concludes at 4:57 P.M. on Saturday in the Vilnius region.

WJC Hanukkah Greetings

WJC Hanukkah Greetings

Dear Friends,

The Festival of Lights will soon be upon us, but it is a dark time for the Jewish people. We recently witnessed the horrific scenes of the slaughter perpetrated by Hamas in Israel and the abduction of children, women and men. This vile hatred has spread like a malignant cancer and has led to an exponential rise in anti-Semitism around the world.

When the Maccabees stood up to those who sought to suppress Jewish life and traditions and found the Temple in ruins, they persevered. With only enough oil to light the Menorah for one night, they didn’t lose faith. Tragically, the story of Hanukkah takes on greater relevance and urgency this year.

We are all encouraged some points of light have been able to penetrate the darkness with the release of dozens of individuals who had been held captive, and we pray for the speedy release of all the remaining hostages.

It is my fervent hope that you are fortunate enough to be able to celebrate Hanukkah with your loved ones, and that the light of the Menorah will illuminate a path toward better days ahead for us all.

With warmest wishes to you this Hanukkah,

Ronald S. Lauder, president
World Jewish Congress

Hanukkah Celebration for Seniors

Hanukkah Celebration for Seniors

The Saul Kagan Welfare Center of the Lithuanian Jewish Community greets you all on Hanukkah and invites our clients to come celebrate Hanukkah at 1:00 P.M. on December 13 on the third floor of the LJC in Vilnius. Registration is required by calling (+370) 678 81514. Please register before 3:00 P.M. on Monday, December 11.

Hag sameakh!