The Sabbath begins at 4:00 P.M. on Friday, January 12, and concludes at 5:22 P.M. on Saturday in the Vilnius region.
Sabbath Times
The Sabbath begins at 3:50 P.M. on Friday, January 5, and concludes at 5:13 P.M. on Saturday in the Vilnius region.
Sabbath Times
The Sabbath begins at 3:41 P.M. on Friday, December 29, and concludes at 5:05 P.M. on Saturday in the Vilnius region.
Sabbath Times
The Sabbath begins at 3:36 P.M. on Friday, December 22, and concludes at 5:00 P.M. on Saturday in the Vilnius region.
Kaunas Jewish Community Celebrates Hanukkah
“In lighting the final, the eighth Hanukkah candle, we wish all hope and faith, that light overcome the darkness, but we wish for victory to be reached as early and rapidly as possible there were it is most needed,” Kaunas Jewish Community chairman Gercas Žakas said at a ceremony marking the final day of Hanukkah in Kaunas.
Sabbath Times
The Sabbath begins at 3:34 P.M. on Friday, December 15, and concludes at 4:57 P.M. on Saturday in the Vilnius region.
Lost World Photo Exhibit
December 13 the Lithuanian Ministry of Culture opened an exhibit of 15 specially selected photographs of the former Jewish quarter and Great Synagogue by pre-war photographer Jan Bulhak as part of closing ceremonies in the celebration of Vilnius’s 700th birthday, the newspaper Lietuvos Rytas reports on its website lrytas.lt
Culture minister Simonas Kairys, former culture minister Arūnas Gelūnas who now directs the Lithuanian National Art Museum which selected the photographs for the exhibit, Israeli ambassador to Lithuania Hadas Wittenberg-Silverstein, Lithuanian Jewish Community chairwoman Faina Kukliansky and others attended the opening. Boris Kizner provided Jewish airs on violin.
Gelūnas told Lietuvos Rytas television only two of the fifteen photographs contain human beings because the photographer thought empty streets and vacant sidewalks showed off the architecture better and presented a more romantic picture of the city.
“In a way he was prophetic in this: after World War II all these streets were emptied of people,” Gelūnas noted. He added the lessons of history haven’t been learned, anti-Semitism is alive and well in the world and people still cling to authoritarianism.
Polish MP Extinguishes Menorah Calling Jews “Satanic Cult”
MP in Polish Sejm tore fire extinguisher from wall at Hanukkah event in parliament
A far-right Polish politician has been filmed attacking a menorah during a Hanukkah ceremony. Polish MP Grzegorz Braun used a fire extinguisher to douse a hanukiya during a candle-lighting ceremony in the Polish parliament on December 12.
In videos shared on Twitter, the politician can be seen in the parliament lobby tearing a red extinguisher from the wall and marching over to the large hanukiya, where he douses it in white powder.
After extinguishing the candles, Braun blasted a nearby woman who had attempted to stand in his way with the spray from the fire extinguisher. Those around him could be heard saying: “You should be ashamed.”
Braun responded: “Those who take part in acts of the satanic cult should be ashamed.”
Braun is the leader of the monarchist Confederation of the Polish Crown party. He has opposed NATO expansion into the Ukraine. According to wikipedia: “Braun’s activities have been characterized by a series of anti-Semitic incidents and pro-Russian stances. In 2023 he disrupted a Holocaust lecture, destroyed equipment and made derogatory comments about Jews.”
Parliamentary speaker Szymon Holownia denounced the incident and told reporters “this never should have happened.” The speaker ordered Braun to leave the event and said he would call for the incident to be investigated. Parliamentary proceedings were suspended.
Article here.
In Every Generation: Vancouver Remembers 1985 Firebombing of Synagogue
Photo: This menorah survived a firebomb attack at Vancouver’s Temple Sholom in 1985. (CBC)
A menorah has become a symbol of hope after surviving a 1985 firebombing at a Vancouver synagogue
The old Temple Sholom was destroyed during an arson attack in 1985, but a menorah withstood the blaze
A menorah is one of the last remaining vestiges of a Vancouver synagogue that was ravaged by a firebomb in 1985.
In the pre-dawn hours of January 25, 1985, a Molotov cocktail was hurled through a first-floor window into Temple Sholom, which at the time was located on West 10th Avenue.
While no one was hurt in the bombing, it destroyed much of the building. The arsonist was never apprehended.
Lecture: The Miracle of Hanukkah
You’re invited to a lecture by Natalja Cheifec called The Miracle of Hanukkah this Wednesday at 5:30 P.M. via the zoom internet platform. You’ll learn:
-about Hanukkah as a holiday preserving tradition
-what the Most High does during Hanukkah
-why Jews gaze at candle flames during Hanukkah
-about Hanukkah doughnuts and Hanukkah gelt
Register and receive log-in credentials here: https://bit.ly/3K73kEE
Lithuanian Prime Minister Sends Hanukkah Greetings
Lithuanian prime minister Ingrida Šimonytė released a video Hanukkah greeting. An unofficial translation follows.
I sincerely greet all Jews of Lithuania and the world on the Hanukkah holiday! Hanukkah tells the story of the strength of the human spirit. It reminds us that even the most fragile flame can dispel the darkness, overcome evil and light the way forward. This holiday is dedicated to expressing gratitude for the miracles in our life, big and small, seen and unseen, from the most ancient times till today. It reminds us that nothing is impossible. That’s so important now when there is so much hatred, brutality and growing anti-Semitism in the world. I am convinced the miracle of Hanukkah, faith and wisdom will help us overcome all obstacles. May the light of the Hanukkah candles bring peace and tranquility into your homes and hearts! Happy Hanukkah! Hag Hanukkah sameakh!
Sabbath Times
The Sabbath begins at 3:35 P.M. on Friday, December 8, and concludes at 4:57 P.M. on Saturday in the Vilnius region.
WJC Hanukkah Greetings
Dear Friends,
The Festival of Lights will soon be upon us, but it is a dark time for the Jewish people. We recently witnessed the horrific scenes of the slaughter perpetrated by Hamas in Israel and the abduction of children, women and men. This vile hatred has spread like a malignant cancer and has led to an exponential rise in anti-Semitism around the world.
When the Maccabees stood up to those who sought to suppress Jewish life and traditions and found the Temple in ruins, they persevered. With only enough oil to light the Menorah for one night, they didn’t lose faith. Tragically, the story of Hanukkah takes on greater relevance and urgency this year.
We are all encouraged some points of light have been able to penetrate the darkness with the release of dozens of individuals who had been held captive, and we pray for the speedy release of all the remaining hostages.
It is my fervent hope that you are fortunate enough to be able to celebrate Hanukkah with your loved ones, and that the light of the Menorah will illuminate a path toward better days ahead for us all.
With warmest wishes to you this Hanukkah,
Ronald S. Lauder, president
World Jewish Congress
Hanukkah Celebration for Seniors
The Saul Kagan Welfare Center of the Lithuanian Jewish Community greets you all on Hanukkah and invites our clients to come celebrate Hanukkah at 1:00 P.M. on December 13 on the third floor of the LJC in Vilnius. Registration is required by calling (+370) 678 81514. Please register before 3:00 P.M. on Monday, December 11.
Hag sameakh!
Hanukkah Greetings from LJC Chairwoman Faina Kukliansky
Dear readers,
The light always shines brightest at the darkest of times! Greetings to all on the holiday of light and miracles, Hanukkah, and may peace and serenity fill your home.
Faina Kukliansky, chairwoman
Lithuanian Jewish Community
Let’s Make a Hanukkah Miracle Happen
Hanukkah begins today at sundown. The eight-day holiday symbolizes the miracle of the victory of light over darkness. Today Sandra Cohen from Lithuania and her two sons Liam and Dylan need that kind of miracle.
Sandra, a Lithuanian citizen, lived peacefully with her three children in the Be’eri kibbutz until October 7, when Hamas attacked.
The terrorists entered Sandra’s home. Her husband Oher was brutally murdered and her son Liam was wounded by ricochet fragments. Her 10-month-old daughter Mila was shot in her mother’s arms. The bullet passed through the baby and wounded Mila. Her three-year-old son Dylan survived but experienced extreme trauma. Everything took place in front of the family.
Sandra has been recovering at Ikhilov Hospital in Tel Aviv for two months now. She still needs surgery to remove the bullet from her body. Liam is also recovering from his wounds, and all three surviving family members still need a good deal of time to return to some semblance of normal life.
They have no home to which to return. The terrorists burnt their home and those of others on the kibbutz to the ground. Everything they had and treasures was lost–photographs, children’s drawings, toys… Only one photo survived, that of Mila, on her Lithuanian passport, which Sandra still hadn’t received on October 7.
The Lithuanian Jewish Community invites everyone to help make a Hanukkah miracle happen by helping Sandra’s family. Even the smallest donation is very welcome for helping Sandra and her children.
In Lithuania donations can be made by addressing a bank transfer to “Lietuvos žydų (litvakų) bendruomenė” at the bank account LT167044060000907924 for Sandra Cohen.
In other countries address your donation to Sandra Cohen at Bank Hapoalim B.M., IBAN number IL84-0126-3400-0000-0168-502, SWIFT code POALILIT.
Thank you.
Maria Krupoves Lecture and Concert
Eastern European folklore and folk-song expert and performer Maria Krupoves-Berg will present a lecture and concert at the Lithuanian National Library’s Hall of Statehood at 6:00 P.M. on December 14. The event is free and open to the public.
The event called “The Sounds of Eastern European Jewish History and Music” sponsored by the National Library’s Judaica Studies Center will talk about and demonstrate genres of Yiddish song and how some songs became a kind of national anthem, accompanying Ashkenazi and especially Litvaks at crucial points in history, reflecting yidishe neshama, Jewish identity. Krupoves will perform with Boris Kizner on violin. The scheduled duration is one and a half hours.
Big Hanukkah Finale
The Lithuanian Jewish Community, the Vilnius Religious Jewish Community and the Shalom Aleichem ORT Gymnasium invite you to a big event to mark the eighth and final day of Hanukkah on Friday, December 15. It all happens at the Litexpo exhibit and concert center in Vilnius starting at 7:00 P.M. Students will perform a play called “Hanukkah: The Festival of Light,” the musical group Yes Duet will perform, the dance troupe Simcha will appear and Arkadijus Vinokuras will be there with another quiz/game show, along with more singing, dancing and dinner. Michailas Frišmanas will serve as master of ceremonies and madrichs will be on hand to provide child-care and children’s holiday activities.
The cost is €20 for adults and €10 for children under 13. Payment can be made by bank transfer to the LJC’s account LT067044060005757425 with purpose of payment indicated as Hanukkah and the names of the people for whom payment is being made. Registration must be made before December 13 by filling out the internet form here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfR6VpFNmGPs9k_1z42Jwt20x563ULujZoIFInjcJuLi1VuDQ/viewform
For more information, call (+370) 659 52604.
Hope to see you there!