2011 According to the census, there were 3,050 Jews in our country, which made up 0.08 per cent. of the total population of the country.
HISTORICAL INTERFACES. The Jewish community was established in Vilnius in the 16th-17th centuries. at the junction. In some cities and towns, Jews outnumbered the Christian population. Jews made up the majority of the population in Kalvarija (about 70 percent), Ukmergė (over 50 percent), and Kupiškis (about 53 percent). Jews in cities were up to 10 percent. of the total population of the city. Intensive inter-war emigration to Palestine, South Africa or the US had a negative impact on community demographics. 1923-1939 about 25 thousand people left Lithuania. Jewish. Lithuania lost more than 90 percent due to the Jewish Holocaust in World War II. Jewish communities.
PUBLIC ORGANIZATIONS. The Jewish community is socially active and there are currently many non-governmental organizations that unite people based on their hobbies or professional activities. The following communities are active: Lithuanian Jewish (Litvak) Community, Kaunas Jewish Community, Klaipėda Jewish Community, Švenčionys District Jewish Community, Panevėžys City Jewish Community, Panevėžys Jewish Community, Šiauliai County Jewish Community, Januš Korčak Center, Jakovo Bunka Charity and Relief Fund. The national cultural and historical Jewish heritage is protected and studied in 1989. the State Jewish Museum was restored. 2001 The Tolerance Center, a division of the State Gaon Jewish Museum of Vilnius, was established in the 19th century.
EDUCATION. Since 1989 there is a state Jewish school, which in 1992 given the name of Sholom Aleichem. 2013 She became the Vilnius Sholom Aleichem ORT Gymnasium where she teaches Lithuanian. Hebrew is taught as a second foreign language from the first grade, and is taught by all students. Since 1996 there is a non-state Jewish secondary school called Menachem House. There are Sunday schools for children, youth and adults in Kaunas and Klaipėda.
MEMORY DAYS (HOLIDAYS). By tradition, all traditional Jewish holidays are religious and must be observed by the whole community.
LANGUAGES. Lithuanian Jews used two Jewish languages: Hebrew with Aramaic admixture and Yiddish. Hebrew was used in religious law, liturgy, education, and religious literature. Hebrew was not a colloquial language. 19th century At the end of the 19th century, at the initiative of Eliezer ben Yehuda of Lithuanian origin, the Hebrew language was begun to be revived. The Yiddish language formed in German Jewish society 1000 years ago and gradually became the language of all Jewish – Ashkenazi communication. Yiddish writing originated in the fourteenth century. 20th century Yiddish finally became a literary language. Jewish languages - Hebrew and Yiddish – became one of the main factors in the development of Ashkenazi culture.
RELIGION. Religious Jewish communities registered in Lithuania in Vilnius, Kaunas, Klaipėda, Šiauliai. They have functioning synagogues in Vilnius and Kaunas. Illegally expropriated property and prayer houses are returned to Jewish religious communities in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Lithuania. Under Judaism, Jews must obey all Torah commandments. Jewish communities around the world are united by religion, but communities may differ ethnically (language and culture), and racial differences may exist.
DISHES. Jews divide all foods into kosher (permissible) and trophic (forbidden). All vegetables and fruits, as well as mutton, goat, beef, deer, poultry meat are considered as kosher. Some fish can be eaten, and game, poultry and pork are prohibited. And no blood in the food.
