May Hope, Faith and Love always find the way into your home.
A merry Christmas and a happy New Year!
Gitanas Nausėda and wife Diana
Lara Lempertienė Awarded Prize by Lithuanian Foreign Ministry
Jewish scholar and head of the Lithuanian National Library’s Judaica Center Lara Lempertienė, PhD, was awarded the Star of Lithuanian Diplomacy prize Friday, according to a press release from the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry. Lithuanian foreign minister Gabrielius Landsbergis personally presented her the prize at the ministry in recognition of her work fostering research into Litvak history and cultural heritage, and for her significant contribution to commemorations of the 300th birthday of the Vilna Gaon and 700 years of Litvak history.
“You have made a remarkable contribution in strengthening foreign policy and carrying out our shared mission to spread knowledge of Lithuanian Jewish history and culture,” minister Landsbergis said. The Lithuanian Foreign Ministry has been awarding the Star of Lithuanian Diplomacy since 2010 in recognition of contributions to spreading knowledge of Lithuania internationally and to improving and celebrating international relations.
Greetings from the Swedish Embassy
Sabbath Times
The Sabbath begins at 3:34 P.M. on Friday, December 17, and concludes at 4:58 P.M. on Saturday in the Vilnius region.
Final Road of Memory Event Held in Telšiai
Lithuania’s International Commission to Assess the Crimes of the Nazi and Soviet Occupational Regimes in Lithuania held their final Road of Memory event in the Lithuanian town of Telšiai on December 9. The Commission held these processions in concert with other organizations at different locations in Lithuania from June till now to mark the 80th anniversary of the beginning of the Holocaust. This final procession included local politicians, foreign ambassadors, students from local schools and others. Miša Jakobas performed kaddish, a number of speakers spoke indoors and out, and the musical group Klezmer Klangen Vilne performed.
Gesher Club to Hold Special Sabbath
The Lithuanian Jewish Community’s Gesher Club invites its members and their families to a special Sabbath celebration according to the traditions of modern Judaism at 6:30 P.M. on Friday, December 17 at the Lithuanian Jewish Community in Vilnius. “Baal tefila” Viljamas Žitkauskas will lead the ceremony to greet the Sabbath with the traditional prayers. A Sabbath dinner will follow. Registration is required by sending an email to zanas@sc.lzb.lt or by calling 8 678 1514.
Sabbath Times
The Sabbath begins at 3:34 P.M. on Friday, December 10, and concludes at 4:57 P.M. on Saturday in the Vilnius region.
Hanukkah in Panevėžys
Members and guests gathered in the courtyard of the Panevėžys Jewish Community to waatch the lighting of the first Hanukkah light. Song and dance began the holiday according to Jewish tradition. Hanukkah is a holiday which symbolizes freedom, light, hope and good wishes for our families and friends.
Two thousand and two hundred years, a miracle occurred when there was only enough oil for one day. The oil lasted for eight days. This was one of the major miracles in those times. Therefore Jews today celebrate the eight days of Hanukkah in their homes, lighting a candle for each day. We read three prayers and light the first Hanukkah light on the first day.
We read out greetings from our friends and colleagues, and Israel’s ambassador to Lithuania Yossi Avni-Levy greeted us on the holiday of Hanukkah, wishing us light and happiness in our hearts, and he sent on Israeli president Isaac Herzog’s video greeting, as well as those from Lithuanian Jewish Community chairwoman Faina Kukliansky. Young and old were presented small gifts and holiday packages at the holiday table.
The high holiday spirits imparted hope and joy for our future.
Hanukkah at the Choral Synagogue
Sabbath Times
The Sabbath begins at 3:37 P.M. on Friday, December 3, and concludes at 4:59 P.M. on Saturday in the Vilnius region.
Wine Tasting Saturday
Dear Community members,
An exceptional Hanukkah Evening: we’ll light the seventh Hanukkah candle while tasting and discussing wine.
Do you know which wine goes with what dish at the dinner table? Wine expert Edvinas Gurinas will be present at this wine tasting and you’ll learn which wine is appropriate for different dishes through tasting. Traditional Jewish snacks and dishes will be served. We’ll learn why some wine/food combinations work while others put a damper on taste and mood.
Please register by sending an email to zanas@sc.lzb.lt. Space is very limited. The event will take place at 5:00 P.M. on December 4at the Bagel Shop Café.
Traditional Jewish Music at the Ukmergė Regional History Museum
Residents of Ukmergė (Vilkomir) and others were invited to attend a Hanukkah concert at the Ukmergė Regional History Museum with the Rakija Klezmer Orkestar performing on November 29, the second day of the eight-day holiday. Ukmergė Regional Jewish Community chairman Artūras Taicas briefly told the audience the story of Hanukkah and what it means. Ukmergė Regional History Museum director Violeta Reipaitė was invited to light the first candle and chairman Taicas lit the second.
Guests were invited to sample traditional Hanukkah dishes with special food packages to take home.
First Light Lit at Choral Synagogue
Here are some photographs from the lighting of the first Hanukkah light at the Choral Synagogue in Vilnius Sunday evening.
Lithuanian Prime Minister Sends Hanukkah Greetings to Jews around the World
Lithuanian prime minister Ingrida Šimonytė sent Hanukkah greetings to Jews around the world Sunday, saying: “I greet all the Jews of the world on Hanukkah, on the beginning of the holiday of lights. The lighting of the Hanukkah candles symbolizes the victory of the light over darkness. I hope that this is not just a victory, but also an eternal path of hope and light.”
Full text in Lithuanian here.
Sabbath Times
The Sabbath begins at 3:43 P.M. on Friday, November 26, and concludes at 5:03 P.M. on Saturday in the Vilnius region.
Vilnius Jewish Religious Community Sends Hanukkah Greetings
Hanukkah Song “Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah!” by Theodore Bikel
Israeli Ambassador Visits Panevėžys
Panevėžys mayor Rytis Račkauskas held a reception for Israeli ambassador to Lithuania Yossi Avni-Levy. They spoke about projects taking place in the Lithuanian city and opportunities for cooperation.
“I thank the ambassador and the embassy for their attention to Panevėžys. For many years now we’ve enjoyed intense cooperation between the municipality and the Israeli embassy. I hope and believe our cooperation with our sister-city Ramla and with the embassy will only continue to grow in strength,” Račkauskas said.
The Israeli ambassador met with the Panevėžys Jewish Community and visited Jewish historical and commemoration sites including the former Rabbinate, yeshiva, Jewish high school and the Yavne school following the meeting with the mayor.