Lithuanian Jewish Community
Municipality of Kaišiadorys District
APPLICATION FOR SUPPORT FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE WOODEN ŽIEŽMARIAI SYNAGOGUE
Dear people not indifferent to the heritage of the Lithuanian Jews,
In 2016, the renovation of Žiežmariai synagogue, one of the 14 wooden synagogues in remaining in Lithuania, began. In total, there have been about 150 of such synagogues in Lithuania. Wooden synagogues remaining in Lithuania are unique objects of cultural heritage across Europe. The wooden synagogue of Žiežmariai, restored in 1920 after a big fire, and preserved during the silver times, honourably begins of the programme initiated by the European Council “The European Route of Jewish Heritage”. The modest Žiežmariai synagogue near the former market square has already become a popular and visited Jewish cultural heritage object. Most likely, the synagogue has been built in the Jewish settlement in the beginning of the 19th century, therefore, the impact of Romanticism can be traced in its architecture. Žiežmariai Jewish community used not only to pray in the synagogue. The synagogue was also the teaching and community centre. In 1941 the synagogue was turned into a small ghetto for the jewels of Žiežmariai area, who on August 28-29 of the same year were chased to Strošiūnai forest where about 1800 women and children, and 2200 men were gunned. No Jews remained in Žiežmariai after the war, while the unique synagogue has been converted into a warehouse for many years.
To protect the synagogue against deterioration, this year the arrangement works began, in order to restore it and adapt for cultural, tourism and local community activities. When the old synagogue is arranged in the small city near Vilnius-Kaunas highway, it should attract to Žiežmariai more tourists interested in the cultural heritage and jews history.
We invite everyone willing and affording to contribute to the reconstruction of the synagogue. You can contribute by directly transferring the support to our bank account or using the Internet banking service, according to the following details:
Municipality Administration of Kaišiadorys District
Company registration number 188773916
Bank code 40100, SWIFT code AGBLLT2X
Acc. No LT084010040500443317
Your effort and support is highly appreciated!
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