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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Israeli ForMin Calls Bluff of Supposed Anglosphere Allies

Israeli ForMin Calls Bluff of Supposed Anglosphere Allies

by Geoff Vasil

Israel’s foreign minister Gideon Sa’ar announced last Sunday Israel was closing its embassy to the Republic of Ireland in Dublin due to extreme anti-Israeli policies by the Irish Government.

On Tuesday in a heated phone call with Australia’s hard-left pro-Palestinian foreign minister Penny Wong, she berated Sa’ar for Israel not doing more to advance humanitarian aid to Gaza, even while Hamas there continues to hold between 50 and 100 hostages, mostly Israeli citizens but also including American passport holders. Sa’ar responded by demanding immediate action following the fire bombing of the Adass Shul synagogue in Melbourne.

Since October 7, 2023, hard-left Australian PM Anthony Albanese and foreign minister Wong have refused to address growing anti-Semitism in the island nation, and have made it their job to tell Israel how to make peace with Hamas and Hezbollah. In addition, police have consistently allowed public demonstrations openly supporting Hamas and Hezbollah, both recognized by Australia as terrorist organizations. Further, Wong and Albanese cooked up a scheme to evacuate Palestinians from Gaza by offering them Australian tourist visas with easy conditions. More recently Australia barred entry to a former Israeli education minister scheduled to address a Jewish audience there. In the past two weeks Australia has increased restrictions on visa applications by Israelis and now demands to know whether the applicant has served in the Israeli military, whether they have been party to war crimes, and so on.

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Condolences

Mina Levina passed away Wednesday, December 18. She was born in 1937 and was a member of the Lithuanian Jewish Community and a client of the Saul Kagan Welfare Center. We extend our deepest condolences to her family members and friends.

Condolences

Tamara Adrinovskaya has died. She was born in 1934 and was a member of the Lithuanian Jewish Community and a client served by the Saul Kagan Welfare Center. We extend our deepest condolences to her daughter Liudmila, her grandchildren and many loved ones.

Goodwill Foundation Board Members Meet Speaker of Parliament

Goodwill Foundation Board Members Meet Speaker of Parliament

The co-chairpeople of the Goodwill Foundation–Lithuanian Jewish Community chairwoman Faina Kukliansky and American Jewish Committee International Jewish Affairs Department director Rabbi Andrew Baker–have met with the new speaker of the Lithuanian parliament and former prime minister Saulius Skvernelis.

They discussed the Middle East and the rising tide of anti-Semitic incidents in Europe. Speaker Skvernelis affirmed Lithuania is a safe country for Jews.

“The fight against anti-Semitism must be a constant on the political agenda. Everyone knows my views of the Holocaust and anti-Semitism from the time when I was prime minister, and my views haven’t changed even a little. We will not tolerate expressions of anti-Semitism, Holocaust denial or disrespect towards Holocaust victims. I believe we as a country under the rule of law will judge anti-Semitic expressions as a legal matter, and our newly-formed ruling coalition will be a reliable and trustworthy partner in that,” Skvernelis said during their meeting.

Hanukkah Kabalat Shabat

Hanukkah Kabalat Shabat

The Progressive Judaism association Bnei Maskilim invites you to attend the lighting of the third Hanukkah light while greeting the Sabbath with psalms and blessings, followed by holiday foods and kiddush. The ceremony will take place on third floor of the Lithuanian Jewish Community followed by kiddush and treats at the Bagel Shop Café at street level.

The cost is 20 euros for adults and 10 euros for children from 3 years of age. Registration is required by sending an email to viljamas@lzb.lt.

Time: 4:00 P.M., Friday, December 27
Place: Lithuanian Jewish Community, Bagel Shop Café, Vilnius

Hanukkah Is Here

Hanukkah Is Here

Dear parents and children and young adults in the Dubi, Ilan and Knafaim Clubs,

The Lithuanian Jewish Community invites you to a holiday celebration called Hannukah Is Here! The event includes:

• Havadala ceremony
• Fire show “Lords of the Flame”
• Performance by magician with bewitching tricks and a good dose of fun
• Traditional Hanukkah foods
• Gifts

Please note: registration is only open till 2:00 P.M., December 20. To register, send an email to levickajasimona@gmail.com with the names of all attendees including parents and children plus their ages. If your plans change and you cannot attend, please send an email indicating that as well. Please be on time, the doors close at 4:15 P.M. For more information, write or call (+370) 678 81514.

Time: 4:00 P.M., Saturday, December 21
Place: Bagel Shop Café, Pylimo street no. 4, Vilnius

Ghost of Facebook Past Comes to Haunt Rookie MP

Ghost of Facebook Past Comes to Haunt Rookie MP

On Wednesday, December 11, the Lithuanian parliament’s Ethics and Procedures Commission met to discuss facebook posts made in the past by newly-elected MP Petras Dargis, who belongs to the controversial Nemuno Aušra party led by Remigijus Žemaitaitis.

In the posts in question, Dargis published an indecent picture of a prostitute leaning into the driver’s side window of an automobile, saying, “I’ll do everything your wife doesn’t.” The speech balloon of the driver says, “Can you make me a tasty goulash?”

More troubling are older posts dating back to September of 2011 where Dargis repeats anti-Semitic jokes. In one, a father asks his sons how the good Santa Claus differs from the evil Jew. Santa is good and the Jew is bad, one says. Another chimes in: Santa gives gifts from out of his bag, but the Jew takes them and puts them in the bag. That’s all true, the father says, but more importantly, Santa enters by coming down the chimney, and the Jews exits by going up the chimney.

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Natalja Cheifec’s Discussion Club: Holiday Edition

Natalja Cheifec’s Discussion Club: Holiday Edition

Natalja Cheifec continues her series of discussions with “The Miracle of Hanukkah” which will address:

• The holiday of Hanukkah as a conservator of tradition;
• What the Most High does during Hanukkah;
• Why Jews observe the burning of candles during Hanukkah;
• What the doughnuts are about and what Hanukkah geld means.

It’s happening this Thursday, December 19, at 5:30 P.M. via zoom.

To register and receive zoom credentials, click here. Remember to includes which topics interest you for possible future discussion while registering.

Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights

Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights

Everyone is invited to come view a 3-D light show, accompanied by traditional Hanukkah treats and warm tea.

Time: 6:30 P.M., Monday, December 30
Place: Outside the Lithuanian Jewish Community, Vilnius

Sabbath Times

Sabbath Times

The Sabbath begins at 3:34 P.M. on Friday, December 13, and concludes at 4:58 P.M. on Saturday in the Vilnius region. Saturday is also International Shareware Day.

Condolences

Boris Spevak has died. He was born in 1932 and was a long-standing member of the Klaipėda Jewish Community and more recently a client of the Saul Kagan Welfare Center. He passed away on December 10. Our deepest condolences to his children, relatives and many friends.

Condolences

Nina Baitlerytė passed away December 10. She was born in 1937. She was a member of the Šiauliai Jewish Community for many years and was beloved by all. The entire Lithuanian Jewish Community mourns her loss and extends our deepest condolences to her sister Frida and her many loved ones.

Jazz Diva Karmen Moxie to Perform at LJC

Jazz Diva Karmen Moxie to Perform at LJC

American jazz singer Karmen Moxie will perform for the first time ever in Lithuania at the Lithuanian Jewish Community.

It’s happening at 6:00 P.M. on Sunday, December 15, in the Jascha Heifetz Hall on the third floor, a performance space with perhaps seats for 100 people maximum.

Tickets can be purchased at all Bilietai.lt ticket outlets and via internet at bilietai.lt.

For more information, try the following telephone numbers: +370 677 00699, +370 645 36403, +370 618 01331, +370 671 76502.

Hanukkah Doughnut-Making Workshop for Children

Hanukkah Doughnut-Making Workshop for Children

The Lithuanian Jewish Community has a special Hanukkah events planned for the Dubi Club and Ilan Club. Dubi is for children aged 4 to 6 and Ilan for those 7 to 11.

At 1:00 P.M. on Saturday, December 14, we’ll make and eat delicious sufganiyot doughnuts.

Please note the clubs on these dates will not be meeting at the LJC but at the HEY HEY Kaip Skaniai space located at Odminių street no. 3 in Vilnius.

Space is limited, so make a reservation by sending an email to levickajasimona@gmail.com. Please call +370 678 81514 for more information.

The first evening of Hanukkah falls on December 25 this year.

IHRA Member-State Reps Meet in London

IHRA Member-State Reps Meet in London

Delegations and representatives of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance met in congress in London from December 2 to 5 to discuss current events in Holocaust and Roma genocide commemoration, education and combating anti-Semitism. Lithuanian Jewish Community chairwoman Faina Kukliansky was part of Lithuania’s legation.

The plenary session discussed rising anti-Semitism in Europe and conflicts in the Middle East.

Eric Pickles who serves as chairman of IHRA said Jews are more afraid now than ever before, making fighting hatred and preserving memory more important than ever as well.

Lithuanian ambassador for special assignments Arvydas Daunoravičius led the Lithuanian legation. Other members of Lithuania’s team were chosen by the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry, Education Ministry, Ethnic Minorities Department, the International Commission for the Assessment of the Crimes of the Nazi and Soviet Occupational Regimes in Lithuania and the Vilna Gaon Jewish History Museum. Kukliansky represented the Lithuanian Jewish Community among the Lithuanian delegates.

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Australian Hamas Targets Synagogue Congregations

Australian Hamas Targets Synagogue Congregations

by Geoff Vasil

Last Thursday Australian supporters of Hamas targeted the Great Synagogue in Sydney’s Central Business District with a loud protest across the street. Members of the congregation sheltered in place inside with outer doors locked. Two Jews ventured out and waved an Israeli flag. New South Wales state police crossed the street to arrest both.

The next day in the early hours of Friday two arsonists entered the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne, spread accelerants and put the shul to the torch. One man inside was wounded with severe burns on his arm and remains hospitalized. Priceless Torah scrolls and other texts were also damaged.

Monday other locations in Australia were the site of protests by native Hamas and ISIS terrorists featuring anti-Semitic chants.

Ping-Pong at Sholem

Ping-Pong at Sholem

The Sholem Aleichem ORT Gymnasium and the Lithuanian Makabi Athletics Club invite everyone to take part in a table tennis tourney called Hanukkah Special with five separate groups competing.

To register, click here.

Time: 12:30 P.M., Wednesday, December 11
Place: Sholem Aleichem ORT Gymnasium, Kraševskio street no. 5, Vilnius

Gita-Enta Broydy Performs Yiddish Song in Šiauliai

Gita-Enta Broydy Performs Yiddish Song in Šiauliai

The Šiauliai Jewish Community invites you to a concert by internationally-acclaimed songstress Gita-Enta Broydy, former resident of Šiauliai, performing Yiddish favorites at the Šiauliai Jewish Community this Friday, December 13, starting at 5:30 P.M. Everyone is welcome.