75 Years since the Liquidation – Yad Vashem 2018 — Association of Jews of Vilna and vicinity in Israel

On the 17^th of October, 2018, we gathered at Yad Vashem in Jerusalem to commemorate 75 years since the liquidation of the Vilna Ghetto and the Jewish community of Lithuania.

Honored guests included Mr. Viktoras Pranckietis, chairman of the Lithuanian parliament, Mr. Edminas Bagdonas, the Lithuanian ambassador to Israel, Mr. Amir Maimon, Israeli ambassador to Lithuania as well as other official Lithuanian representatives. Mrs. Faina Kuklianski, chairperson of the Lithuanian Jewish community and Ms. Colette Avital, chairperson of the Center of Organizations of Holocaust Survivors in Israel, members of the Association in Israel, members of the Association of Lithuanians and officers and soldiers from the naval unit of seafaring vessels were also present.

After the Holocaust survivors (the Association was represented by Gedalia Jak and his son Rafi) had lit the eternal flame and laid wreaths in the Memorial Room (Ohel Yizkor), we assembled in the synagogue where the chairman of the Lithuanian parliament, the chairman of the Jewish community in Lithuania, the chairperson of the Association and the chairperson of the Center of Organizations of Holocaust Survivors addressed the audience.

Betty Klein sang a medley of Yiddish songs. Ms. Naama Galil, a project manager in the Commemoration Wing of Yad Vashem, gave a lecture on the contribution of Holocaust survivors from Vilna to the State of Israel.