Tracing Family Roots in Western Lithuania
This Jewish roots tour to Kvėdarna (Khveidan) and Gargždai (Gorzhd) was long in the making—planned over several years. These two former shtetls are in western Lithuania. They may not have much physical heritage left. However, their emotional significance remains powerful.
On this one-day journey, we followed in the footsteps of the traveler’s grandparents. We stood in the very places where they once lived and played. There may be few visible traces of Jewish life in these towns today, but memory and connection filled the silence.
Tour Highlights:
- Kvėdarna: A small town with deep Jewish roots before the war. Though little remains in the guests’ ancestral town, we visited the former Jewish quarter and the Jewish cemetery.
- Gargždai: We explored former Jewish sites. We also viewed contemporary commemorative artworks. Additionally, we visited the local Holocaust memorial. This was to honor the memory of the Jewish community that once lived here.
- Klaipėda: We ended the tour by the Baltic Sea, where the travelers continued their journey with time for reflection.
Planning Your Own Jewish Ancestry Tour in Lithuania?
I specialize in custom Jewish heritage tours to small towns and shtetls like Kvėdarna, Gargždai, and beyond. Whether you’re just beginning to trace your roots, I can help. If you are finalizing a journey long in the making, I can also assist. I can craft a personal, meaningful experience tailored to your family’s story.
Litvak Shtetls 