International Holocaust Remembrance Day in Ariogala

Can you imagine a small Lithuanian town named Ariogala on a snowy day hosting over a hundred schoolchildren from all over Lithuania performing scenes on the Holocaust? This year the event was dedicated to the tragic kids' stories.
For more than 20 years now the movement of creating Tolerance centers in Lithuanian schools is being consistently developed by sincerely devoted people: Ingrida Vilkiene and Ronaldas Racinskas, both representing the state-sponsored organization under the debatable title of the International Commission for the Evaluation of the Crimes of the Nazi and Soviet Occupation Regimes.

We Remember | International Holocaust Remembrance Day

Today is the International Holocaust Remembrance Day. With antisemitism on the rise across the globe and the number of survivors dwindling with each passing year, it is more important than ever to preserve the memory of the Holocaust. 

Great Synagogue of Vilnius site commemoration ideas presentation at Tel Aviv University

On January 22 professor and leading expert of many heritage protection projects Amon Bar Or invited to the mid-year presentation of his students Lavi Beery and Dan Iron at David Azrieli School of Architecture at TAU.
L. Beery and D. Iron have chosen to research the territory of Great Vilna Synagogue in order to commemorate and rehabilitate the site in the heart of Vilnius old town.

Visit Litvak Memorial Garden in Zemaitija National Park

The charity and support foundation, named after the last Jewish from Plunge, folk artist Jakov Bunka, founded the Litvak Memorial Garden in Žemaitija National Park. The contours of Lithuania here are marked by green shrubs. Apple trees made from metal by the folk artist Artūras Platakis “are sprouting” in the places where Jewish communities were destroyed.

Happy Holidays!

We wish you true support, sincere friendship, bright ideas and lots of light in your souls!

Abraham Mapu statue in Kaunas

We started a new project "The most memorable Jewish heritage sites in Lithuania". Lets all together decide which places are a must visit!

The most memorable Jewish heritage sites in Lithuania

What Jewish heritage object would you show to a friend who came to Lithuania for the first time? What place would you show to your child as a symbol of Jewish culture and history?

Happy Hannukah everyone!

May this festival of lights bring blessings upon you and all your loved ones!

Paul Berman, the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Lithuania in Cape Town thoughts about the commemoration of the Great Synagogue of Vilna

The history of the Jews in Lithuania can be traced back as far as the 8th Century, and of the Lithuanian Jews in my homeland, South Africa, at least as far back as the end of the 19th Century, when tens of thousands fled conflicts and pogroms engulfing the Russian Empire and the anti-Semitism of the Russian czars.

Meeting on the Jewish heritage protection issues

November 14th the committee for culture at the Parliament of Lithuania, led by the Chair of the majority party MP R. Karbauskis had its meeting on the Jewish heritage protection issues at the Vilna Gaon State Jewish Museum. The Minister of culture, Mrs. L. Ruokyte Jonsson, Government vice-chancellor Mr. D. Matulionis actively participated at the meeting, as well. Our organization was represented by Anna Avidan.

International Youth Workshop 2018 | Results presentation at Vilnius City Municipality

At the invitation of Remigijus Simasius, Mayor of Vilnius, Litvak World visited Vilnius City Municipality to present the results of the International Youth Workshop 2018.

The Great synagogue, Batei Midrash and Kloyzn in Vilnius

The first kloyz in Vilnius – the Old Kloyz in the shulhoyf – most probably appeared soon after the construction of the Great Synagogue in 1633. During the 18th-century new kloyzn were established by various religious and professional associations, as well as by private individuals. In 1729 the Vilnius kahal transferred the right of giving permissions for the establishment of private minyanim to the Tsdakah Gdolah (Great Charity) Association, the main communal organization responsible for social welfare.

International workshop: 2-6 September, 2018, Vilnius

During the inspiring international conference we had in September 2017, where the issue of the Great Vilna Synagogue site presentation was raised and discussed widely, the idea of creating an intellectual center based on the history of the site for humanistic ideas to be promoted, was born and widely approved.

Thanksgiving evening in Vilnius town hall

We were so happy to receive the acknowledgement from the Vilnius city Mayor, addressed to the Litvak World organisation.
But in fact, it goes to all of you, our dear friends, who had contributed to the international conference on the Great Synagogue of Vilna commemoration. Thank you!

Invitation to the International Conference

The Great Vilna synagogue, built in 1633, was widely known in Europe for centuries as the center of the spiritual, cultural and social life of the Jewish community. It was damaged during the Nazi occupation and totally demolished by the Soviets after World War II. Archeological research proves that authentic remnants of the Great Vilna synagogue still remain buried 2 meters below the ground level.

Students, do not miss the chance to participate for “Or be’Lita” grant!

Together with our friends – “Centre for Studies of the Culture and History of East European Jews” and Jakovas Bunka Charity and Sponsorship fund – we have established a grant award Or be’Lita for the best defended graduate and undergraduate theses on a Jewish history, culture or heritage topic among the students of the Lithuanian high schools and universities.

Presentation of our new project – the Vilna synagogues map

An incredible honor for our organisation to be invited by the first Israeli ambassador to Lithuania, Amir Maimon, to celebrate the publication of the Vilna synagogues map at the ambassadors residence!

Litvak World sends warm wishes to your loved ones this Passover!

Have you ever seen a map of Vilna synagogues?

A map of Vilnius with around 130 synagogues marked on it will be published soon!
Israeli and Lithuanian scholars have identified over 130 locations of the former synagogues of Vilnius. By publishing this map we intend to depict the scope of the lost pre war Jewish life in Vilnius, which can be perceived mostly by means of imagination. This map will serve as a visual cognition tool both for those who live or visit Vilnius, as well as for those who are exploring their family heritage living away from Lithuania.

December 14th – an additional Holocaust education seminar for teachers in Vilnius

Good news!
Due to an unexpectedly high demand, we are organizing an additional Holocaust education seminar for teachers in Vilnius,
on the 14th of December.

Presentation of our projects in Tel Aviv

On November 11, 2016 “Litvak world” project was presented by its member of board Mr Rolandas Valiūnas in the Lithuanian Embassy in Tel Aviv.

Later in November our managing director Anna Avidan met Mickey Kantor - the leader of the Association of Jews from Vilna, and Zvika Kezurer - director of the Israeli Lithuanian Technology HUB, discussing possible cooperation.

Educational seminar for teachers on Holocaust topic

We continue our mission in helping and teaching Lithuanian teachers on Holocaust topic.

Kaddish in Butrimonys

As a farewell to our friend and supporter, a Lithuanian Jewish philosopher and public intellectual, prof. Leonidas Donskis, and
fulfilling his recently expressed wish to say Kaddish in the memory of more than 2000 Jews who were murdered in his hometown Butrimonys, we organised the Kaddish there, for his memory, as well, now...