Along the paths of Vilnius synagogues: The Great – Geliu – Choral

During an extraordinary excursion, we invite you to get acquainted with the religious life of Vilnius Jews. We will start the tour with the Vilnius Great Synagogue and a story about the development of the Misnagdim movement. While being in this place of special importance to Jews, you will learn why Vilnius Gaon Eliyahu banned Hasidism in the land of Litvaks. How did the courtyard of the synagogue in the Jewish Quarter change, and why was the Vilnius Great Synagogue not enough? We will continue the story by traveling through the Middle Ages to the Age of Enlightenment, and we will learn about the development of Judaism in Lithuania and two more important synagogues – Geliu (the Zavel Peisakhovich Germaize Synagogue) and Vilnius Choral synagogue. While traveling to them, you will also find the answer to the importance of the first minyan of the Maskils and how we traveled from it to the Vilnius Choral Synagogue.

This is a unique opportunity to visit three synagogues in Vilnius with different histories and destinies: what is left of the first one are only ruins, the second is being restored, and the third is perfectly functioning and serving the needs of the Jews.

An excursion is guided by Viljamas Žitkauskas, a guide with many years of experience:

“I have been working in Lithuania and neighboring countries for more than 15 years. I specialize in Jewish history, culture and religion. It is important to mention that I acquired my knowledge not only from history textbooks, but also from growing up in the international Jewish community. From Vilnius to Israel. I have the qualification of Ba'ale Tfillah (a leader of services) and I am the initiator of the rebirth of the Maskil branch of Judaism in Lithuania.”

You will visit and see:

• The ruins of the Vilna Great Synagogue!
• The restoration of Geliu (Zavel) Synagogue!
• The functioning Choral Synagogue!

You will learn about:

• what is a synagogue and how does it function!
• all branches of Judaism in Lithuania before the Second World War!
• differences between the branches of Judaism!
• the different stories of origin and survival of all three synagogues!

• We will inform you about the meeting point after receiving your registration form.
• You can choose your date (except Saturdays) and time.
• Language of the guided tour: Lithuanian, English, Hebrew, or Russian.
• Size of a group: 15-20 persons.
• Min. size of a group: 5 persons.
• Duration: 2 hours.
• Price: 30 EUR / 1 person

If the tour does not take place due to no fault of the organizer or the customer cancels the tour less than 24 hours before its start, the money paid in advance for the tour is not returned.

Please fill the registration form below. We will contact you to settle the details and payment.

If you have any questions, please contact us:

• info@gvf.lt
• +370 650 91521

Foto © The Vilna Great Synagogue and Shulhoyf Research Project, Julius Kalinskas/Vidmantas Balkūnas/15 min., LŽB