This time, I was deeply moved by Rosemary. She is a descendant of Joffe Marks, a Litvak from Plungė. He built a remarkable life in South Africa. Rosemary traveled to Lithuania in October 2024 with something truly special in her suitcase. The book was about her family’s journey: their life in Lithuania, emigration, and theContinueContinue reading “A Litvak Heritage: Rosemary’s Emotional Journey to Plungė”
Category Archives: Štetlai
Jewish Roots Tour: Exploring Kvėdarna and Gargždai
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 footstepsContinueContinue reading “Jewish Roots Tour: Exploring Kvėdarna and Gargždai”
Emotional Jewish Heritage Journey in Marcinkonys
This 2023 trip to Marcinkonys, known as Martsinkantsy, was a meaningful and emotional journey. The guests, two cousins, were visiting their parents’ homeland for the third or fourth time. The experience was both a reunion and a continuation of memory. We shared insights, stories, and discoveries throughout the day, making it a truly special tour.ContinueContinue reading “Emotional Jewish Heritage Journey in Marcinkonys”
Tracing Jewish History in Lithuania: Kaunas to Telz Tour Insights
This Jewish heritage tour led us from Kaunas (Kovna) and Kėdainiai (Keidan) to the town of Telšiai, known to many by its Yiddish name, Telz. Once a major center of Jewish learning, Telz was home to one of the most renowned yeshivas in Eastern Europe. Though little remains physically, we stood in the streets whereContinueContinue reading “Tracing Jewish History in Lithuania: Kaunas to Telz Tour Insights”
From Plungė to Port Elizabeth: The Journey of Moshe Jaffee (Joffe Marks)
Joffe Marks in Johannesburg, South Africa. A photo of the Jaffee family, available on the website of the South African Jewish Museum Before emigration, Jewish families in Lithuanian towns followed certain rituals: reciting Torah on Shabbat, visiting family graves, and sharing freshly baked challah. These moments marked the transition from the familiar to the unknown.ContinueContinue reading “From Plungė to Port Elizabeth: The Journey of Moshe Jaffee (Joffe Marks)”
Jewish Heritage Journey in Lithuania: Kaunas to Pakruojis
Exploring Litvak Roots with Stops in Kaunas, Kėdainiai, and Šeduva This was a deeply meaningful one-day Jewish heritage journey across northern and central Lithuania. The focus was on visiting two key ancestral towns. They were Pokroy (Pakruojis) and Ponevezh (Panevėžys). These former shtetls have rich Jewish histories. They hold personal significance for the traveler. AlongContinueContinue reading “Jewish Heritage Journey in Lithuania: Kaunas to Pakruojis”
A Town and Its Jews: Tytuvėnai
Tytuvėnai, first documented in the 16th century, evolved from a small manor settlement to a town marked by ownership changes and external conflicts. Despite hardships, including wars and the Holocaust that devastated its Jewish community, it has gradually rebounded, developing into a quiet town known for its natural beauty.
Life in Shtetl
The text explores the significance of shtetls in Jewish history, particularly in Lithuania, where Jewish communities shaped local life from the 18th century onward. Shtetls served as cultural and economic hubs, fostering rich traditions, education, and community structures while navigating external pressures and a largely separate existence from non-Jewish populations.
Rabbi Yisrael Salanter: Father of the Musar Movement
“Rev Salanter, I can only spare one half-hour to devote to learning. For which subject should I best utilise this precious time?””Well, in this case”, responded the Rabbi, “devote it whole to the study of Musar. For, when you study that subject carefully and diligently, you will inevitably discover that you can find another halfContinueContinue reading “Rabbi Yisrael Salanter: Father of the Musar Movement”
A trip to the north of Lithuania. Part 1. Subačius (Subotsh)
I’m starting to like October. Less work, more time for expeditions, research, reading, writing and creativity.The weather is still quite fine: sun, fog, dew, light rain, soft warmth, and mild coolness. There are colors all around. The nettles are no longer biting. The grass is not as tall as a few weeks ago. Mushrooms canContinueContinue reading “A trip to the north of Lithuania. Part 1. Subačius (Subotsh)”
Litvak Shtetls 