On May 21, commemorating the Lithuanian National Communities Day, representatives of national communities were honored at a solemn ceremony held at Vilnius St. Catherine’s Church for their active social, cultural and educational activities.
The Ministry of Culture’s certificate of appreciation for his significant contribution to fostering Jewish identity, commemorating prominent Jewish figures, and constant attention to the events and victims of the Holocaust and their rescuers was presented to Gercas Žakas, Chairman of the Kaunas Jewish Community and Board Member of the Good Will Foundation.
Meanwhile, Dainius Babilas, the Director of the Department of National Minorities under the Government of the Republic of Lithuania, presented Ruth Reches with the Silver Badge of Honor of the 3rd degree “For Merit.” Ruth Reches is the director of the Vilnius Sholom Aleichem ORT Gymnasium, a Hebrew teacher and methodologist, and a member of the Board of the Lithuanian Jewish Heritage Foundation. The award recognized her significant and consistent contribution to strengthening the education of national minorities, fostering Jewish culture and historical memory, and including the use of the Yiddish language of Lithuanian Jews (Litvaks) in Lithuania in the inventory of intangible cultural heritage values.
Congratulations and wishing strong energy in carrying out this difficult and meaningful mission!
Photo ©Donatas Stankevičius