It is with sadness that we announce that today, July 29, after a battle with a serious illness, we have lost the chairman of the Association of Lithuanian Jews in Israel, a long-time supporter of the Litvak community, a strengthener of Lithuanian-Israeli ties, and a member of the board of the Public Institution Good Will Foundation Arie Ben-Ari Grodzensky (1946-2026).
The Good Will Foundation expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Arie Ben-Ari Grodzensky – his wife Bella, children, relatives, and the entire Litvak community.
The final goodbye to the deceased can be expressed on Friday, July 31, at 11 a.m. at the Kiryat Ono “Beit Shalom” cemetery.
Arie Ben-Ari Grodzensky was a man who cherished a strong connection with Lithuania – his homeland, its history, and its people – throughout his life. Born in Lithuania, he received his higher education here, graduated from Kaunas Polytechnic Institute and received a degree in mechanical engineering. In 1972, he and his family moved to Israel, where he applied his professional knowledge and skills while working in the military industry.
However, his most important mission in life was not only his professional activities. For many years, Arie Ben-Ari Grodzensky actively cared for the preservation of Litvak heritage, historical memory and the memory of Holocaust victims. Leading the Association of Lithuanian Jews in Israel, he rallied Litvaks in Israel and around the world, fostered ties with Lithuania and sought to make Jewish history and the tragic legacy of the Holocaust known to future generations.
His personal history was marked by the tragedy of the Holocaust. Arie Ben-Ari Grodzensky’s family was one of thousands of Lithuanian Jewish families that experienced genocide during the Nazi occupation. His grandparents, uncles and cousins were killed in the Alytus region. This painful experience led to Arie’s firm belief that historical truth must be recognized and passed on.
“The Holocaust cannot be forgotten,” the Litvak repeatedly emphasized, speaking of the need to preserve memory and educate the younger generation. It was important to him not only to remember the past, but also to create a future based on respect and truth.
Arie Ben-Ari Grodzensky was proud of his Litvak roots and always emphasized that the contribution of Litvaks to Israeli and world science, culture, and state-building is an integral part of history. He believed in the power of education, work, and community.
Arie Ben-Ari Grodzensky was a member of the board of the Public Institution Good Will Foundation and until the end of his life felt a responsibility for the preservation of the history, culture, and identity of Lithuanian Jews. He was one of those people who testified with their lives that memory is not just a remembrance of the past – it is a duty to the present and the future.
We have lost a man who protected historical truth, strengthened the bond between Lithuania and Israel, and contributed to the preservation of the Litvak heritage through his work.
May his memory be blessed.