[UPDATE: There is an update to this diary here]

I had not intended to post so much Jewish-oriented material recently and don't want to start being a one-issue diarist. But this item is pretty important. Seems the Lithuanian government is slating the ancient Jewish cemetary in Vilnius for destruction.

Choral synagogue in Vilnius

There once was a thriving and highly respected Jewish population in Lithuania. Vilnius was called the "Jerusalem of Europe" by Napoleon, so great was the fame of its Jewish scholars. One of the greatest Orthodox Jewish sages, Elijah ben Solomon (called the Vilna Gaon) came from Vilnus and had a profound effect on yeshiva teaching. During the period of Lithuanian independence (1918-1940) Jews served loyally and bravely in the Lithuanian army.

An old photo of the Jewish quarter.

Now there are only about 4000 Jews left in Lithuania. And the cemetary where generations of Jews of Vilnius are buried is now threatened.

The cemetary.

From Guysen Israël News:

The ancient Jewish cemetery of Vilna is threatened with destruction. The Lithuanian authorities have undertaken to destroy the old Jewish cemetery in the capital to build a commercial center on the site, to the great consternation of the Jewish community. The orthodox MK Avraham Ravitz warned the Knesset and has mobilized the dispatch of an Israeli delegation to the site to stop the desecration. (Guysen.Israël.News)

Please contact the government of Lithuania and urge them to preserve this cemetary. This is part of the heritage of many Jews from around the world and is part of LITHUANIAN heritage.

Gedimino pr. 11
LT-01103 Vilnius

Tel. (8~5) 2663711
Fax: (8~5) 2663895
Email: kanceliarija@lrvk.lt