Jelena Levina passed away July 19 at the age of 94. She was born in 1927. She was a long-standing member and volunteer. She will be missed by all of us.
![Happy Birthday to Gennady Kofman Happy Birthday to Gennady Kofman](https://www.lzb.lt/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/GĖLĖS2-555x300.jpg)
Happy Birthday to Gennady Kofman
The entire Lithuanian Jewish Community wishes Panevėžys Jewish Community chairman Gennady Kofman a terrific milestone birthday. He has done so much to collect and share information about the city’s once numerous Jewish community, and always finds the time and energy to meet and help travellers looking for their roots and to teach school children and the wider community about the Holocaust. Mazl tov. Bis 120!
Condolences
Richard Freund passed away in Charlottesville, Virginia, on July 14 due to complications involving a bone-marrow transplant he received 18 years ago. He was 67. Freund was a frequent visitor to Vilnius and a friend of the Lithuanian Jewish Community. Besides annual summer digs at the Great Synagogue site in Vilnius, revealing many new facts and the existence of surviving elements and a few surprises at that site, he also headed the non-invasive investigation of the escape tunnel dug by the brenner kommando at Ponar, Jews who were forced to exhume corpses, burn the flesh and crush the bones, who themselves were slated for death upon completion of their task aimed at hiding Holocaust crimes. The rediscovery of the tunnel was featured in an hour-long documentary by NOVA on the American public television network PBS. Freund also led the effort to map the lost Jewish shtetl of Rumshishok (Rumšiškės) just outside Kaunas flooded in the post-war period to create a hydroelectric generation station, and worked on a number of other Jewish sites in Lithuania. He also used non-invasive techniques to investigate the Warsaw ghetto in 2021.
Freund always found the time in the middle of his work to explain his finds to interested on-lookers, and presented his findings to the Lithuanian Jewish Community in a series of presentations in Vilnius.
We mourn his loss and extend our deepest condolences to his widow Eliane, his three children Eli, Ethan, and Yoni and his many other family members and friends at the University of Hartford and around the world.
![Happy Birthday, Emanuelis Happy Birthday, Emanuelis](https://www.lzb.lt/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/gimtadienio-geles-4-500x300.jpg)
Happy Birthday, Emanuelis
We wish Emanuelis Zingeris a very happy milestone birthday this July 16. Mazl tov. Bis 120!
![Lithuanian Team at Maccabiah World Games Opening Ceremony Lithuanian Team at Maccabiah World Games Opening Ceremony](https://www.lzb.lt/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Mabiada-2022-294022509_440999094706251_8878011206848508506_n-670x300.jpg)
Lithuanian Team at Maccabiah World Games Opening Ceremony
The Lithuanian Makabi delegation along with 10,000 other participants marched in the opening ceremonies for the 21st Maccabiah World Games in Israel.
We are very proud of our athletes who this year are the sole representatives of the Baltic states at the Jewish Olympics. Good luck!
![Ping-Pong Camp Ping-Pong Camp](https://www.lzb.lt/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Stalo-tenisas3N9A1616-qpr-670x300.jpg)
Ping-Pong Camp
Children and young people are invited to attend a ping-pong day camp from August 1 to August 25 at the Simonas Daukantas pre-gymnasium in Vilnius from from 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. Monday to Friday. The workshop will include intensive training, public tournaments and weekly competitions with prizes. The trainers are Neta and Hen Alon with partners Šimonas Lukša and Rafael Gimelshtein who are currently representing Lithuania at the Maccabiah Games. Professional athletes Maja Bliumin and Urtė and Orinta Ramonaitė will also be participating.
Those wishing to attend may choose 1, 2. 3 or all 4 weeks, or the days they are able to attend. The workshop is open to LJC members and friends and students from Sholem Aleichem school. For more information, contact trainer Hen Alon by telephone at 861375124. To register, send a letter to stalotenisoklubas@yahoo.com
![Day of Genocide of Lithuanian Roma Day of Genocide of Lithuanian Roma](https://www.lzb.lt/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/kaunas-4-670x300.png)
Day of Genocide of Lithuanian Roma
The Roma Social Center invites you join them in marking the Day of Genocide of Lithuanian Roma, August 2.
The commemoration starts at 12 noon at the Ponar Memorial Complex outside Vilnius. On August 3 at 6:00 P.M. the one-man digital play “Samudaripen, I Am King” starring Marius Jampolskis will be performed at the Museum of Modern Art in central Vilnius, located at Pylimo street no. 17.
Roma Social Center facebook announcement here.
Condolences
We are sad to report the death of our volunteer, medical doctor and otorhinolaryngologist (head and neck medicine) Valentina Barsukaitė on July 13. She was born in 1938. We extend our deepest condolences to her daughter, Veronika, and her many friends and colleagues.
![Who Are the Degenerates Now? Who Are the Degenerates Now?](https://www.lzb.lt/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/ponarypit-640x400-640x300.jpg)
Who Are the Degenerates Now?
Grant Gochin
In a study by the UN titled ”History under Attack,” António Guterres, secretary-general of the United Nations, stated: “Understanding the history of the Holocaust is crucial to safeguarding our future. This is particularly crucial as we see some seeking to rewrite history or to whitewash and rehabilitate those who committed crimes against humanity. If we fail to identify and confront the lies and inhumanity that fueled past atrocities, we are ill-prepared to prevent them in the future.” This article borrows heavily from this UN study.
UN Findings
The UN finds that Holocaust distortion is just as pernicious as Holocaust denial. Holocaust distortion depends upon and spreads antisemitism. It threatens the ability to remember and learn from the past by misrepresenting the historical record. It is an attack on truth and knowledge. It feeds on and spreads antisemitic tropes and prejudices, and threatens our understanding of one of the most tragic and violent histories–the genocide of six million Jews.
![Jewish Headstones Removed from Vilnius Hill Jewish Headstones Removed from Vilnius Hill](https://www.lzb.lt/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/VMS_2508_spray2-670x296.jpg)
Jewish Headstones Removed from Vilnius Hill
Jewish headstones used to construct stairs up Vilnius’s Tauras Hill (Góra Bouffałowa aka Tauro kalnas) during the Soviet era began to be removed Monday, the Vilnius city municipality reported.
Illegible headstones will be taken to the old Jewish cemetery in the Šnipiškės neighborhood next to the Palace of Sports for alleged safe-keeping, according to Vilnius city officials. Those with legible inscriptions will be brought to the old Jewish cemetery on Olandų street for research. According to the city, the removal of the headstones was coordinated with representatives of the Lithuanian Jewish Community and Lithuania’s Cultural Heritage Department.
Photograph by Saulius Žiūra.
Full text in Lithuanian here.
Condolences
Michail Rositsan passed away July 11, 2022. He was born in Belarus in 1955 with roots in Lithuania. He completed a law degree in Lithuania, founded a business and often travelled across the Atlantic. He founded a factory producing mannequins which were exported to dozens of countries and his business card contained an address in Vilnius and in Toronto. In 2014 he served as Israel’s honorary consul in Lithuania. Together with his brother Boris he founded the Rositsan and Maccabi Elite Checkers and Chess Club in Vilnius. His brother served as president of the club and passed away in 2021. Our deepest condolences to his family and friends.
![Vilna Gaon Mausoleum Now State-Protected Heritage Site Vilna Gaon Mausoleum Now State-Protected Heritage Site](https://www.lzb.lt/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/kaunas-2-670x300.png)
Vilna Gaon Mausoleum Now State-Protected Heritage Site
MadeinVilnius.lt
Lithuanian culture minister Simonas Kairys has added the mausoleum containing the remains of the Vilna Gaon at the Sudervės road cemetery in Vilnius to the list of cultural heritage sites. protected by the state.
In his order he wrote the mausoleum is important in terms of public dignity and should be protected because of its architectural, historical and commemorative significance.
The site and surrounding territory now has a protection status intended to maintain authenticity.
The rabbi Eliyahu ben Shlomo Zalman, known as the Vilna Gaon, lived in the 18th century and is considered one of the most remarkable commentators on the Talmud.
Full story in Lithuanian here.
![Vilnius Approves Restoration of Jewish Street Vilnius Approves Restoration of Jewish Street](https://www.lzb.lt/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/kaunas-1-670x300.png)
Vilnius Approves Restoration of Jewish Street
MadeinVilnius.lt
The city of Vilnius wants to reconstruct historical Žydų or Jewish street and decorate the territory of the former Great Synagogue with architectural accents recalling the 16th century. The Vilnius municipality and the Vilniaus Planas group of architects back in May presented the public proposed projects for the restoration of Žydų street and the Shulhoyf. The Vilnius city municipality approved a project this week.
The contours of historical Jewish street were established more precisely according to the location of fragments of street paving boards discovered. The current street trajectory has changed from the historical one and the proposal is to return it to its original course through the deconstruction and removal of existing street and sidewalk pavement. The paving stones on Stiklių street, which becomes Žydų street, would continue on into Žydų street, according to the current plan.
![Judith Tsik Was Born July 7 in Gargždai Judith Tsik Was Born July 7 in Gargždai](https://www.lzb.lt/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/yudka-670x300.jpg)
Judith Tsik Was Born July 7 in Gargždai
The Yiddish poetess Judith Tsik, also known as Yehudis and Yudis and the pen-name Judika, was born July 7, 1898, in Gargždai, Lithuania.
Encyclopaedia Judaica:
YUDIKA
YUDIKA (Yudis (Judith ) Tsik; 1898–1988), poetess. She was born in Gorzhd (Gargždai), Lithuania. Poverty forced her family to send Tsik to live with an aunt in Eastern Prussia, then annexed to Germany.
![Kaunas Jewish Community Members Tour Western Lithuania Kaunas Jewish Community Members Tour Western Lithuania](https://www.lzb.lt/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Kelionė-292497015_601481718205968_8147759068822486291_n-670x300.jpg)
Kaunas Jewish Community Members Tour Western Lithuania
One weekend last June members of the Kaunas Jewish Community made a tour of Western Lithuania. Our guides included Monika from Švėkšna, Živilė from Šilutė, Raimondas from Preila and Rasa from Klaipėda, all of whom taught us about this wonderful region surrounded by water. They explained the rich and painful history of the land.
![Australian Broadcasting Corporation: Netflix Hit Stranger Things Slammed for Nazi Prison Australian Broadcasting Corporation: Netflix Hit Stranger Things Slammed for Nazi Prison](https://www.lzb.lt/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/st_logo-670x300.jpg)
Australian Broadcasting Corporation: Netflix Hit Stranger Things Slammed for Nazi Prison
by Emma Myers
Netflix has come under fire for using the sites of past atrocities as locations or inspiration for its nostalgic hit show Stranger Things, including a plan to let fans book a themed cell in a former Holocaust prison on AirBnB.
Two of the locations in its fourth season–the final episodes of which were released last week–have dark roots in the real world.
Russian prison scenes were filmed in a former Lithuanian prison used by Nazis during the Holocaust while the show’s fictitious mental hospital was inspired by an infamous U.S. asylum with a similar name.
Mental health and Jewish advocates have criticized the streaming giant for what they see as exploitation of a brutal history. Both locations are also now tourist attractions.
![In Petras Cvirka’s Place, Falafel In Petras Cvirka’s Place, Falafel](https://www.lzb.lt/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/pita2-670x300.jpg)
In Petras Cvirka’s Place, Falafel
The web-based Vilnius city guide 1323.lt (1323 is the nominal year of the founding of Vilnius) has reviewed the Cvi in the Park Israeli street food kiosk organized this year and last in the park across the street from the Lithuanian Jewish Community headquarters in Vilnius.
Their review is titled “In Petras Cvirka’s Place, Falafel,” a reference to the name of the park still used by almost all Vilnius residents despite the municipality’s decision a few months back to remove its trademark statue to Soviet-era Lithuanian poet Petras Cvirka.
“For the second season now the Cvi Parkas Jewish street food kiosk had been luring passers-by to have a snack (and not only that). It debuted last year when the statue to Petras Cvirka, which caused so much discussion, still stood by.
![Presidential Palace Reception on Coronation of Mindaugas Day Presidential Palace Reception on Coronation of Mindaugas Day](https://www.lzb.lt/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/mind2-670x299.jpg)
Presidential Palace Reception on Coronation of Mindaugas Day
Photo: Lithuanian Jewish Community chairwoman Faina Kukliansky and son Rafaelis attended the reception. Photo by J. Stasevičius courtesy Lithuanian State Radio and Television.
The Lithuanian president invited special guests to attend a reception at the presidential palace compound Wednesday to mark Coronation of Mindaugas Day, the day chosen by historians and others to celebrate the coronation Lithuania’s first and only king, Mindaugas, in A.D. 1253 with a crown sent by Pope Innocent IV.
Full story in Lithuanian here.
Story of King Mindaugas in brief here.
![New Condo Ad in Kaunas: “Lietūkis: A Building with History” New Condo Ad in Kaunas: “Lietūkis: A Building with History”](https://www.lzb.lt/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/sb2-1-670x300.png)
New Condo Ad in Kaunas: “Lietūkis: A Building with History”
A building built between the two world wars on Vytautas prospect in Kaunas is now undergoing renovation. The architect was Karolis Reisneris, the same architect who designed the Church of the Assumption in Kaunas. Advertisements to purchase apartments have caused controversy because of the phrase “Lietūkis: A Building with History,” recalling the Lietūkis garage massacre in Kaunas in late June of 1941.
Artist Paulina Eglė Pukytė spotted the advertisement on facebook and was surprised by it.
“If the ad campaign is mentioning history, then how can it ignore completely some of the blackest pages of 20th century history connected with the word Lietūkis? The advertisement suggests ‘touching history.’ How should we touch it, and which history?” she said to 15min.lt.
Between the two world wars the compound word “Lietūkis,” made up of Lietuva or Lithuania, shortened to Liet-, followed by ūkis, meaning economy, farm or household, was the name adopted by the Union of Lithuanian Agricultural Cooperatives, which operated in Kaunas from 1923 to 1940. Their headquarters were located at no. 43 on Vytautas prospect. The daylight pogrom and mass murder of Jews was perpetrated at the garage, actually an automobile service and repair station, located on Miško street in Kaunas and still known as the Lietūkis garage, despite abolition of the Lietūkis organization, the Union of Lithuanian Agricultural Cooperatives, prior to that.
![Free Tango Lessons at Israeli Street Food Kiosk Free Tango Lessons at Israeli Street Food Kiosk](https://www.lzb.lt/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/tang-670x300.jpg)
Free Tango Lessons at Israeli Street Food Kiosk
The Cvi in the Park Israeli street food kiosk is hosting free tango dancing lessons open to everyone at the park across the street from the Lithuanian Jewish Community at Pylimo street no. 4 in Vilnius at 7:00 P.M. on July 5. The vocalist Eudardo will perform tango music from Latin America and the Argentine.
Program:
7:00 P.M. – 7:45 P.M. Public tango lesson
8:00 P.M. First portion of concert (Argentine and Latin American tango music)
8:30 P.M. Milonga (tango dances)
9:00 P.M. Second portion of concert
10:00 P.M. Finale.