The Lithuanian Jewish Community wishes Malka Levin a happy 90th birthday and continuing strength.

 Though the wheel of life keeps turning and turning,

The heart remains as it was,

Generous and endlessly good.

May the warmth of your children warm you.

 Mazel tov!

 

Everyone in the community knows the birthday girl’s son, Simas Levinas, the head of the LJC’s Social Center, the Religious Community and the Goodwill Fund. Simas tells us about his mother on the occasion of her 90th birthday.

“Mama Malka Levin was born in Shavl (Šiauliai) on July 28, 1924. Of her large family, only she and her brother Beno survived the war. Beno was rescued by a German family. Our family maintained Jewish traditions, as much as it were possible, during the Soviet period: the Sabbath was observed, pork was not eaten, meat and milk products were not eaten together. There were special dishes only used for Passover. Yiddish was spoken in the family. Mama dedicated her life to her family. Father was stern, so I was frightened of him, but I got everything I wanted from mama. Mama respected father, his word was final and not to be disputed. After I had my own family and children, I knew when I called mama on the telephone the first question would always be: ‘Have you eaten?’

“Mama is in Israel now. There is a war going on there. The sirens are blaring, warning of possible danger. And when the telephone rings, I know the rockets are falling somewhere, and mama is making sure that we are alright… Truly, the world is so small.

 

“In childhood time passes by so slowly. Now it is too fast, unfortunately. Now there are many matters which cannot be put off until tomorrow. Time has taken on a different meaning and worth. When I said I was going to visit mama, that we would celebrate her birthday together, I was so happy that the whole family wanted to join in, despite the war going on in Israel. I have a lot of experience flying on airplanes. The first time I was very worried and listened intently to the airplane engines, because my entire family was on that one plane… I thought for a long time how to tell mama about our trip. I knew she would oppose it (the war is going on, it’s dangerous), so I decided not to tell her, and I’m worried about how she will react when she sees us. Our ‘tactic’ was the correct one: she was completely surprised, overjoyed and her first words were: ‘I am so blessed.’

“And even now she has many friends, and is so full of goodwill, and easygoing, not getting angry with anyone. Is that perhaps the secret of her longevity? And how I need those qualities!

“Today and every day in the evening, on the telephone with mama, besides the usual ‘Have you eaten?’ I also hear: ‘Will there be war where you are, is it peaceful and calm?’

“Mama, it really isn’t calm, because you are so far away!”