THE PAST

Lithuanian Jews created a unique religious and secular culture, which enriched the legacy of the world Jewry.
“In the past, Lithuanian Jews were spiritual leaders of the entire Jewry”, — recently noted rabbi Israel Meir Lau, the Chief Rabbi of Israel.
The fact that all over the world Vilnius became to be know as Jerusalem of Lithuania (and many call it Jerusalem of Diaspora) is a testimony to the recognition of the significant role of litvaks.
The Gaon of Vilnius, the famous Lithuanian yeshivas, the YIVO, the Romm publishers, the Strashun library, the Department of Semitic languages at the University of Vytautas the Great in Kaunas — these are only small bits of that majestic spiritual heritage of which we are proud.
The Nazi and their local accomplices destroyed that unique community. Lithuania was to become the first country in which the Nazi began the implementation of the final solution. Over 90% of almost quarter of a million Lithuanian Jews were murdered. Proportionally it is more than in any other country occupied by the Nazi. The policy of the genocide of Jewish culture that Stalin employed after the war, in essence concluded the annihilation of litvak legacy.

THE PRESENT

At the present, there are less than 5000 Jews in Lithuania. That is why, despite the fact that after the restoration of independence in 1990 discrimination against Jews was abolished and we exercise equal rights with the rest of country's citizens, as well as favorable conditions for the development of our culture, the situation still remains uncertain, there is a threat of extinction of Jewishness. Therefore the priorities of the Jewish Community of Lithuania, established in 1989 (up till November 17, 1991 it functioned as the Association of the Culture of Lithuanian Jews) are bringing Jews together under one roof, maintaining national identity, restoring Jewish cultural life, reviving from the ruins our cultural heritage.
In order to achieve this, we organize a wealth of events that are aimed at strengthening national consciousness. Among these we must first of all mention lectures, exhibitions, meetings etc. dedicated to Israel, its problems and holidays. All Israeli politicians, cultural, public figures, who come Lithuania on official or private visits, usually meet the members of the Community at Community's center. Such meetings always evoke large interest.