Vilna, Vilnius County, Lithuania

0 History Leadership

Rabbi Jacob Joseph (1840–1902)—The Tragic Tale of New York’s Only Chief Rabbi

Rabbi Dr. Zev Eleff in Jewish Action · 2 Jun

Rabbi Jacob Joseph's tenure as New York's Chief Rabbi underscores the complexities of establishing religious authority in America's secular landscape.

0 Antisemitism Communities

The Most Dangerous Lie That New York Jews Tell Themselves

Nachum Kaplan in Future of Jewish · 27 May

Nachum Kaplan argues that New York Jews are dangerously complacent about the rising tide of antisemitism, falsely believing that their city's Jewish population size and historical success equate to safety.

0 Leadership Antisemitism

An Ode To Abe: World Figure And Down-To-Earth Mensch

Gary Rosenblatt in Between The Lines · 12 May

Abraham Foxman, highlighted for his passionate and personal approach to combating antisemitism, is remembered as a pivotal American Jewish leader over the past five decades.

0 Antisemitism History

The Holocaust never ended.

Alex Steiman in Future of Jewish · 17 Apr

This essay by Alex Steiman highlights the persistent threat of Nazi ideologies and antisemitism, arguing that the Holocaust's ideological roots continue to influence modern society.

0 History Gender/Identity

Forgotten Feminism: Poland in the 1930s

Guest Contributor in Lilith · 7 Apr

This piece explores the often-overlooked feminist history in 1930s Poland, focusing on Jewish women who played significant roles in resistance efforts during World War II.

0 Culture History

The Lions on the Ark: A Miraculous Story

Natan Slifkin in Rationalist Judaism · 26 Jan

Natan Slifkin shares the remarkable story of synagogue lions, tracing their historic journey from Eastern Europe to America.

0 Communities Music

The Moment: Issue 1087

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha · 18 Nov 2025

In a recent Minneapolis event, renowned Jewish musicians Abie Rotenberg and Joey Newcomb led a community in a heartfelt kumzitz, highlighting stories that resonated deeply with young professionals on journeys towards Torah observance.

0 Culture History

Yiddish life in prewar Eastern Europe comes alive on this website

Judah Sussman in Forward · 23 Oct 2025

A new website, Yiddishculture.co, spearheaded by Adina Cimet, seeks to reinvigorate the history and culture of Eastern European Jewry.

0 Culture Philosophy

Letters, Fall 2025

Jewish Review of Books · 29 Sep 2025

This collection of letters from the Jewish Review of Books addresses diverse topics within Jewish life and thought.

0 Music Jewish Law

At YIVO, an unfinished Yiddish dictionary gets the last word — as opera

Andrew Silow-Carroll in JTA · 17 Sep 2025

Marking YIVO's centennial, Alex Weiser and Ben Kaplan present "The Great Dictionary of the Yiddish Language," a chamber opera exploring the epic but incomplete post-Holocaust effort to compile a definitive Yiddish dictionary.

0 Communities History

What the Hasidic shtiebel meant for Jewish male immigrants

Dov Bergman in Forward · 23 May 2025

Hasidic shtiebels played a crucial role in the lives of Jewish male immigrants in New York, providing spiritual and communal support amid the challenges of resettlement.

0 History Communities

In My Parents Home

Sharona in Mishpacha · 6 May 2025

Rebbetzin Maita Nelkenbaum shares intimate memories of her parents, focusing on her father, Rav Avrohom Kalmanowitz, known for his remarkable efforts to rescue European Jews during and after the Holocaust, and her mother, Mina Hadas Lenchevsky, who supported him with immense dedication.

0 Literature History

How the Yiddish writer Chaim Grade’s last novel was rescued from the archives, and wrestled into print

Andrew Silow-Carroll in JTA · 27 Mar 2025

The long-awaited publication of Chaim Grade's last novel, "Sons and Daughters," marks a significant moment in Yiddish literature.

0 Literature History

Chaim Grade’s last Yiddish novel ‘Sons and Daughters’ finally available in English

Yossi Newfield in Forward · 25 Feb 2025

Chaim Grade's last Yiddish novel, "Sons and Daughters," now available in an English translation, offers a vivid portrayal of Jewish life in pre-war Poland, focusing on the breakdown of tradition in two rabbinic families.

0 History Antisemitism

The Lower East Side anti-Jewish riot that changed the way Jews do politics

Andrew Silow-Carroll in JTA · 5 Jan 2025

The article explores the relatively unknown anti-Jewish riot on New York City's Lower East Side in 1902, during Rabbi Jacob Joseph's funeral, which became a turning point in Jewish political activism in America.

0 Literature History

Poem | The Findings of Yitzhak

Jean Nordhaus in Moment · 14 Nov 2024

Jean Nordhaus's poem, "The Findings of Yitzhak," reflects on the legacy of the poet's great-grandfather, Yitzhak, through the lens of his Torah commentary written in 1912 in Vilna.

0 Literature History

YIVO digitizes writer Chaim Grade’s archive, a Yiddish treasure with a soap opera backstory

Andrew Silow-Carroll in Forward · 5 Feb 2023

YIVO Institute for Jewish Research has completed the digitization of the extensive archives of Chaim Grade, a significant Yiddish writer whose legacy was fiercely protected by his widow Inna Grade.

0 Holocaust Literature

Poet Avrom Sutzkever’s memoirs of Vilna Ghetto are now in English

Forward · 11 Nov 2021

Avrom Sutzkever, renowned as a preeminent Yiddish poet, is celebrated for more than his literary prowess; he also played a critical role in preserving Jewish cultural treasures during the Nazi occupation of Vilna.

0 Education Culture

A Unique Yiddish Day School: Melbourne’s Sholem Aleichem College

Forward · 6 Nov 2019

Sholem Aleichem College in Melbourne, founded over 40 years ago by ten families, remains a unique institution where Yiddish is a daily and integral part of education for its 300 students.

JL;DR

Places › Lithuania › Vilnius County ›

Vilna