The Sabbath begins at 4:02 P.M. on Friday, January 13, and concludes at 5:24 P.M. on Saturday in the Vilnius region.
Sabbath Times
The Sabbath begins at 3:50 P.M. on Friday, January 6, and concludes at 5:14 P.M. on Saturday in the Vilnius region.
World Jewish Congress Mourns Death of Benedict XVI
World Jewish Congress president Ronald S. Lauder mourned the passing of Pope Benedict XVI on Saturday night.
“It is with great sadness that I learned today that Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI has passed away,” he said. “He was a towering figure of the Roman Catholic Church, both as pope and before that as the cardinal who gave the Catholic-Jewish relationship solid theological underpinning and enhanced understanding. No pope before him visited as many synagogues, and he made a point of meeting with local Jewish community representatives whenever he visited foreign nations.”
Lauder recalled having met the former pope at the Vatican three times and said that each time, he was “deeply moved by his affection and friendship for the Jewish people, his commitment to remembrance of the Shoah, and his unambiguous condemnation of Holocaust denial in any form.”
Sabbath Times
The Sabbath begins at 3:43 P.M. on Friday, December 30, and concludes at 5:06 P.M. on Saturday in the Vilnius region.
Sabbath Times
The Sabbath begins at 3:36 P.M. on Friday, December 23, and concludes at 5:01 P.M. on Saturday in the Vilnius region.
United States of America Hail Jewish Compensation by Lithuanian Parliament
Photo: Robert Gilchrist, by D. Umbrasas courtesy LRT.lt
The U.S. embassy in Vilnius said Tuesday the United States hail the Lithuanian parliament’s decision to compensate Jewish private property seized by the Nazis and Soviets to the tune of 37 million euros.
American ambassador to Lithuania Robert Gilchrist said: “The passing of this legislation is an important step in recognizing the tragedy of the Holocaust in Lithuania. It is not, however, only about addressing claims for the past. It is about preserving the memory of the Holocaust for future generations and working together against intolerance and hatred.”
U.S. special envoy for Holocaust issues Ellen Germain commented: “After the Holocaust, there was little time to create successful restitution programs before the Communist regimes nationalized private property. By passing this bill, Lithuania has taken another important step in fulfilling restitution commitments. For survivors and their families, this is a direct acknowledgement of the great wrong that was done to them.”
The Lithuanian parliament Tuesday adopted a new redaction of the existing Law on Goodwill Compensation which additionally allocates 37 million euros for compensating Jewish private property. The existing law and previous compensation payments were for communal and religious property seized by the Nazis and the Soviets. The new legislation comes into effect in January.
Lithuanian prime minister Ingrida Šimonytė proposed the new compensation package saying Lithuania has made compensation for Jewish religious community property, but hasn’t made compensation for nationalized private property.
Lithuanian Parliament Allocates 37 Million Euros for Private Property Looted from Jews
The Lithuanian parliament Tuesday voted in favor of compensation to the amount of 37 million euros for private property looted from Jews by the Nazis and the Soviets.
Seventy-two MPs voted in favor, six against and two abstained in the ballot of a new redaction of the Law on Goodwill Compensation which will come into effect in January.
Lithuanian prime minister Ingrida Šimonytė proposed the new compensation package saying Lithuania has made compensation for Jewish religious community property, but hasn’t made compensation for private property nationalized.
“There are two kinds of property, and for one a solution was found, while the search for a solution to the second was sought, perhaps not entirely sincerely, perhaps sincerely… I believe the Government has succeeded in agreeing to and proposing such a solution, and today we consider this legislation,” she said.
Hanukkah Greetings from Joe Biden and Wife
Joe Biden: Well, folks, Happy Hanukkah, everyone. On behalf of Jill, Doug and Kamala, thank you. And Rabbi Bronia, thank you for hanging out with me la- –a couple weeks ago. And Michèle and Abigale. To all of you here, including so many friends, thank you being–for being part of this moment.
Just over two months ago, Jill and I her- –hosted the first-ever High Holiday reception at the White House.
It was deeply meaningful. It was something that we’ve alwa- –we’ll remember. And I felt–it felt what–what the Jewish proverb teaches: “What comes from the heart goes to the heart.” And it went to our heart, for real. It’s never happened before in the White House.
Full press release here.
Lithuanian Radio and Television Reports on Hanukkah in Lithuania
Lithuanian state radio and television reported the beginning of Hanukkah at the Choral Synagogue in Vilnius Sunday. On Monday, the first Hanukkah light was lit, according to LRT, by speaker of parliament Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen.
“As we light the Hanukkah candles every year, the Jewish community sends out a message of light and friendship to all of the Lithuanian ethnic communities and to the Jewish communities around the world. We want to remind people that we can only overcome the greatest challenges by being and working together, by communicating and trying to understand one another, to light the light of knowledge, understanding and tolerance. We can all be part of the light,” Lithuanian Jewish Community chairwoman Faina Kukliansky said.
It’s customary for people to come together, have fun and share traditional Hanukkah treats such as doughnuts and latkes over all eight days of the Hanukkah holiday. Children receive traditional gifts. Faina Kukliansky recalls Litvaks traditionally ate their Hanukkah latkes with cranberry sauce.
Sabbath Times
The Sabbath begins at 3:34 P.M. on Friday, December 16, and concludes at 4:58 P.M. on Saturday in the Vilnius region.
Pope Francis Calls for Return to Judaeo-Catholic Dialogue
Addressing members of the Jewish-Christian Friendship Association of France on December 12, Pope Francis called for a return to dialogue between Catholics and Jews in what he called hostile times with a rise in anti-Semitism and violence against Christians.
ADDRESS OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS TO MEMBERS OF AMITIÉ JUDÉO-CHRÉTIENNE DE FRANCE
Consistory Hall
Monday, December 12, 2022
_____________________________________
Dear friends,
I welcome you, members of Amitié Judeo-Chrétienne de France, celebrating the 75th anniversary of its founding.
Community Hanukkah Events
In addition to all the other events already announced, the Lithuanian Jewish Community is offering a walking tour of Jewish Vilna with guide Viljamas Žitkauskas and an Israeli dance marathon with Rikudim.
The tour begins at 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, December 17, meeting at the bell tower at the Arch-Cathedral in Vilnius. Program: Tour, avdala ceremony, dinner at the Bagel Shop Café, performance by the children’s section of the Fayerlakh Jewish song and dance ensemble. Registration required. Send an email to zanas@sc.lzb.lt or call +37067881514 on weekdays between 10:00 A.M. and 6:00 P.M.
The Rikudim Israeli dance marathon will be held in the Jascha Heifetz Hall at the Lithuanian Jewish Community in Vilnius from 11:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. on Sunday, December 18. To register send an email to Julija at Juliradv@gmail.com.
Hanukkah 5783/2022
Hanukkah begins Sunday evening, December 18, 2022, and continues through Monday, December 26, 2022. Hanukkah is the eight-day Jewish wintertime “festival of lights” celebrated with a nightly menorah lighting, special prayers and fried foods. The first candle will be lit on Sunday evening on the menorah candelabrum, also known as the hanukiya, in Jewish homes around the world. To learn more about this holiday, click here.
The Ten Commandments in Judaism
Natalja Cheifec invites you to a lecture on the meaning of the Most High’s Ten Commandments, including what punishment faces those who violate them, the significance of the eighth commandment “Thou shalt not steal,” whom Judaism considers a murderer, which violations of the Ten Commandments cannot be redeemed, and other topics.
The lecture will take place via internet at 5:30 P.M. on Wednesday, December 14. To access the zoom platform for the lecture, register at https://bit.ly/3K73kEE.
Happy Hanukkah Greetings
Dear readers,
Lithuanian Jewish Community chairwoman Faina Kukliansky and Vilnius Jewish Religious Community chairman Shmuel Levinas wish everyone an excellent and happy Hanukkah holiday.
“I wish light, peace and happiness in everyone’s hearts, and invite you to attend the lighting of the Hanukkah lights at 7:00 P.M. on Monday, December 19, at the Choral Synagogue, Pylimo street number 39, Vilnius,” chairwoman Faina Kukliansky said.
Hag Hanukkah sameakh!
Faina Kukliansky, chairwoman
Lithuanian Jewish Community
Shmuel Levinas, chairman
Vilnius Jewish Religious Community
Family Sabbath
You and your family are invited to a Sabbath celebration under the tenets of progressive Judaism in the run-up to Hanukkah, the holiday of light and miracles, at 6:30 P.M. on Friday, December 16. The prayer service will be held on the third floor of the Lithuanian Jewish Community at Pylimo street no. 4 in Vilnius followed by kiddush at 8:30 P.M. at the Bagel Shop Café at the same address. The Sabbath ceremony and Sabbath dinner will be followed by a Hanukkah surprise. To register, write viljamas@lzb.lt or call +37067250699.