Today the world marks International Human Rights Day which began when the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted the Universal Human Rights Declaration on December 10, 1948. The call to stand up for human rights invites us to get involved and engaged in creating solidarity and societies respecting human rights, and calls on us to learn more about ethnic, religious and cultural communities and the way they live. Lithuanian Jewish Community chairwoman Faina Kukliansky calls it symbolic that this year’s International Human Rights Day coincides with the beginning of the traditional Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, a celebration of victory in perhaps the first battle for freedom of worship and freedom of conscience.

“The victory for our religion two millennia ago has continuity with modern Lithuania where all people have religious freedom. Hanukkah is an opportunity for the broader society to undersant and discover traditional Jewish culture as well as the activities of our community. We believe that it is only through understand and communication that we can overcome miscommunication and stereotypes, to insure respect for the rights of all people living in Lithuania,” chairwoman Kukliansky said.

Respect for human rights is urgent right now, she continued, because Jewish communities around the world are facing anti-Semitic sentiments. The European Union Council has responded to increasing attacks against Jews and all manner of anti-Semitic expressions, and on December 2 adopted a declaration on joint-efforts to fight anti-Semitism. The European Jewish Congress representing the Jewish communities of EU member-states and other European countries is asking national leaders to listen to the words of the declaration, follow it and pay additional attention towards creating a relationship of solidarity with the Jewish communities.

“This is a strong signal from all European communities that there is no place for expressions of hate and intolerance in Europe. The declaration says anti-Semitism is an attack against European values and that any and all racist and hate-inspired actions are not compatible with respect for human rights and the principles of democracy. Member-states are being invited to reduce division in society by actively presenting Jewish culture and traditions to their broader societies,” LJC chairwoman Faina Kukliansky said.

She went on to say December 10 as International Human Rights Day and the beginning of Hanukkah present an opportunity to Europe to come together and spread respect for human rights as well as share the light of the Jewish holiday. Chairwoman Kukliansky and the board of directors of the European Jewish Congress invite everyone in all time zones to express support for the European Union Council’s declaration as they light the first candle of Hanukkah.

For more information about the European Union Council’s declaration, see https://www.lzb.lt/en/2020/12/07/council-of-the-european-union-declaration-on-fighting-anti-semitism/

For more information about Hanukkah in Lithuania, see https://www.lzb.lt/en/2020/12/10/hanukkah-lighting-ceremony-live/

To reach the Lithuanian Jewish Community regarding Hanukkah and International Human Rights Day, please write Neringa Stankevičienė at neringa@lzb.lt or call +37065609188.