Children Come of Age in Vilnius

“I came specially from Klaipeda, more than three hours away, for my daughter to be part of this once in a lifetime event,” says a tearful Alaxandra Shiyan. Alexandra is the mother of a Lithuanian girl who celebrated her Bat Mitzvah last Sunday at Chabad of Vilnius’s grand bar/bat mitzvah ceremony.

Seventeen boys and girls—most of whom were students at one of Chabad of Vilnius’s educational programs, were the center of attention at Hotel Sarunas in Vilnius. The girls each received their own Shabbat candlesticks, the boys, their own pair of tefillin. Grandparents were not shy about showing their emotions as they watched the 13 year-olds wrap the tefillin—a right of passage they were denied growing up under communism.

It’s the fourth year that Lithuania’s Jewish community comes to kvell, as their children and grandchildren participate in this Jewish life cycle event. Most of the children have attended one of several educational programs offered by Rabbi Sholom B. Krinsky and his wife, to prepare for their bar/bat mitzvah. And many of their younger siblings are inspired to join as a result.

“It’s a very family oriented event,” says Rabbi Krinsky who has worked with his wife to revive Jewish life in Lithuania for more than a decade now. “Many family members participated in the classes. It establishes a real warmth and strong connection with each family, and the follow-up with the kids includes having them become more active in our youth programs, camps.”

Nadia Zirnikenie, the 55 year old grandmother of one of the girls, spoke of her gratefulness to Rabbi Krinsky. “It is only thanks to the education that these children received in the Bais Menachem School that has given them a strong connection to our Jewish roots.”