#litvaks

[sunsgrave]

Hey Jumblr, I’m in the process of planning a heritage trip to Poland (and possibly Lithuania) and I’d love any and all advice that you might have.

Background information is that I’m a Litvak Jew, whose family originates from Suwałki in Poland, but who were educated in Kaunas and other towns in the region. I also have family connections with Grodno, but am not seeking to visit Belarus for the foreseeable future.

Separately I’ll also be revisiting Prague, and while I have a few ideas, I’d welcome any other suggestions.

Anyone have any tips or tricks? Any tours or recommended sites? Restaurants or hotels you would recommend?

In Poland I’m planning to visit Kraków, Warsaw, Wrocław, Suwałki and any other place that is significant. And if anyone has any advice on, or has ever visited Suwałki, I would greatly appreciate it.

In Lithuania I would visit Vilnius, Kaunas and any other place that is relevant.

I am definitely visiting Auschwitz-Birkenau and hope to visit the Galicia Museum and the Schindler Factory in Kraków, and in Warsaw the Polin museum as well as the Warsaw uprising museum. In Prague I’m hoping to revisit the Prague Jewish museum, and to do a tour tracing the life of Franz Kafka.

Thank you in advance, Jumblr!

Pictures related, it’s the Old Jewish graveyard and the grave of the Maharal (Z”L) from when I visited Prague in June 2024.

[unhonestlymirror]

What I love about Lithuania is that they make anyone feel like a part of the community, you don't feel like an outcast here.

It is even in the Lithuanian language. Not sure, but it seems like all the other countries call Jews just Jews, even Ukraine, and only Lithuania calls them Litvaki. "Lithuanian Jews". Not just the Jews but Lithuanian, they are part of our society, and they have the same rights and the same recognition as all the other Lithuanians. Same with Lipka Tatars - not just some random Tatars who happened to be here, not just the minority but the part of the community.

In conclusion, I love Lithuania

[gwuscrc]

An early 19th-century book of penitential prayers recited communally before the Jewish High Holidays. Published in Vilna (Vilnius) and Grodno by a member of the Romm family, the prayer book follows the observances of Lithuanian Jews.

This volume bears an “Archival Depot Offenbach” stamp testifying to its inclusion in the U.S. Army’s postwar efforts toward the restitution of Nazi-looted cultural property.

Selihot: Ke-Minhag Lita, ve-Raysen, ve-Zamut (Vilna and Grodno: Menahem Man and Simha Zimel, 1823 or 1824). From the I. Edward Kiev Judaica Collection 

Click here to see another Selihot volume in the Kiev Collection.

[elirab]

Let's Catch Up At IAJGS In Seattle

Let’s Catch Up At IAJGS In Seattle

Hi from Perth, Australia.

I start my long 24 hour trek early tomorrow from Perth to Seattle.

I will be in Seattle until Tuesday evening.

I am giving a presentation at a South African Tea Party this Saturday afternoon. This will be of interest to those wanting to connect with their shtetl. This talk is being held within walking distance from the Sheraton.

For more details, see:

http://elirab.me/l…

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[darkhei-noam]

I’m working on a calligraphic commission for a client who wants me to include reference to his Lithuanian-Jewish heritage from Vilna (Vilnius). While researching imagery from Jewish Vilna, I found this charming film about Jewish Vilna from 1939 — in Yiddish with English subtitles. It shows various aspects of Jewish life in the city, the Jewish Quarter, synagogues, the marketplace, YIVO headquarters, and more. It ends with footage of Jewish children swimming and demonstrating athletics — an image of the flourishing Jewish future... Of course, Jewish Vilna was destined for horrendous destruction only a few years later. What a bittersweet treasure this film is!

[wenevergotusedtoegypt]

Why do so many Litvaks not understand that Litvish is not neutral/default yiddishkeit? It’s one perspective. Other hashkafos are different perspectives.

[westsemiteblues]

When Simonas Gurevicius, the 26-year-old executive director of the Jewish Community of Lithuania, opened the door to his house during last year’s Uzgavenes, he was greeted by two children dressed in horns and tails, reciting a song that translates as, “We’re the little Lithuanian Jews/We want blintzes and coffee/If you don’t have blintzes/Give us some of your money."

[elirab]

Are you from Port Elizabeth, Pretoria or Oudthoorn?

Are you from Port Elizabeth, Pretoria or Oudthoorn?

Hi

I have set up three basic websites for PE, Pretoria and Oudtshoorn, forerunners of the Kehilalink websites.

These websites celebrate and document the Jews of these cities from its pioneers, through the families who lived and worked in these cities over the decades to those still there today. It will tell the story of the Jewish institutions, the shuls and other Jewish buildings and…

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