Welcoming the New Lithuanian Ambassador 2023 — Association of Jews of Vilna and vicinity in Israel

In December, the Vilna Association's activists held a warm and traditional reception, around a table set with doughnuts, dates and strawberries, for the (new) Lithuanian ambassador to Israel, Mr. Audrius Bruzga, in Beit Vilna and Vicinity in Tel Aviv. The visit was also accompanied by his assistant Mr. Laimis Rubinskas as well as Dr. Elena Keidisute, the cultural attaché of Lithuania in Israel.

The ambassador showed interest in the spaces dedicated to commemorating the memory and cultural heritage of the house, listened to stories of childhood, holocaust and heroism in Lithuania and revival in Israel from the holocaust survivors Sergey Korablikov and Saadia Bahat, talked with the second generation members of the Association, learned about our activities to pass on the heritage of our Lithuanian ancestors to future generations around the world . We emphasized to him our great appreciation for Lithuania's support for Israel, especially at this time.

The chairman of the Association congratulated him and invited him to return to Beit Vilna and feel at home there. The ambassador told us about his previous diplomatic service in Israel and around the world and showed empathy towards the abductees staying in Gaza and the brutal attack in the October 7 war. With surprising naturalness, he wore the white scarf, bearing the logo of the Association awarded to him, as a tribute to friendship and the continuation of joint activities to strengthen the ties and bridges between us.