Members of the Lithuanian Jewish Community have shared with us some of their thoughts about and memories of service in the Israeli armed forces.

Itzhak Solomon: “I hope Israel doesn’t experience new wars… I have many photographs from my life in the army.”

Itzhak Soliomon sent us photos from the Yom Kippur War in the Sinai Peninsula in October of 1973 where he saw combat.

On October 6, 1973, a military coalition of Egypt and Syria (formerly joined as one state in the United Arab Republic), attacked Israel during the holiday of Yom Kippur. They took the Sinai and retook the Golan Heights in Syria which Israel had occupied since the Six-Day War in 1967. While the Syrians and Egyptians made inroads during the first 48 hours, Israel quickly seized the initiative.

By week two the Syrians had been completely routed from the Golan. In Sinai Israel attacked forces who had crossed the Suez canal, the former cease-fire line, and cut them off from resupply. After two weeks of hostilities, the US came to Israel’s aid supplying ammunition by airlift, and Israel pushed enemy forces back to their initial positions.

Itzhak Solomon hopes Israel won’t face new wars and remembers victory was bitter in the Yom Kippur War with so many young lives lost.

Vilnius residents and married couple Viljamas Žitkauskas and Aleksandra Žitkauskienė went to study in Israel and ended up serving in the IDF. They returned to Vilnius following their military service.

The young Žitkauskas family are active members of the LJC and are raising three children. Viljamas works at the Jerulita travel agency which offers Jewish-themed tours in the Baltic states and Belarus. The family also does volunteer work for the LJC. Aleksandra and Viljamas help organize children’s events and excursions. Aleksandra also does handicraft activities for children.