Fifty Years to Beit Vilna 2024 — Association of Jews of Vilna and vicinity in Israel

The Association of Jews from Vilna and vicinity celebrated the 50th anniversary of the opening of Beit Vilna at its location on Yehudit Ave. The event was attended by over 100 people, who tasted Lithuanian foods (gefilte fish, horseradish, challah, imberlach, taigalach, etc.)

The atmosphere was made pleasant by Misha Belcharovitz and Yoni Eilat and the audience joined in Yiddish and Hebrew songs.

The event opened with a short clip about the essence of Beit Vilna today, and the chairperson of the union Ms. Mickey Kantor addressed the audience and told about the foundation of the house and its activities. The Ambassador of Lithuania in Israel, Mr. Audrius Brūzga, who was invited together with members of the embassy staff to the event, congratulated those present, who filled the place and read a special greeting sent by the Prime Minister of Lithuania, Mrs. Ingrida Simonyte, in which she expressed her great appreciation for the activities of Beit Vilna as a center for preserving the heritage of Lithuanians Jews in Israel, for so many years. Dr. Ben Zion Klibansky spoke about Vilna in the early photographs from the exhibition and presentation "Her image before my eyes". Nehemiah Burgin told from his memories about the beginning of the house and his father Yehiel and mother Zlata who were among the founders of the house and the choir. Prof. Motti Zalkin spoke about Vilna as a cultural force and creator of the nation's culture. We were all excited.