RLI accepts contributions to support the Vilnius Jewish Public Library Charity and Support Foundation.
The Vilnius Jewish Public Library Charity and Support Foundation (“Foundation”), a Lithuania-registered, non-profit organization, supports the educational and cultural programs of the Vilnius Jewish Public Library (“Library”). Under a 2017 agreement, Remembering Litvaks, Inc. (“RLI”) accepts financial contributions dedicated to benefit the Foundation. A U.S. taxpayer who contributes funds to the Foundation in this manner may claim a tax deduction to the extent permitted by American law. The agreement also gives the Foundation the ability direct RLI to use these funds to pay U.S. carriers for the cost of shipping to the Library books and other materials donated by Americans.
The Library was established at the suggestion of a private book collector, Wyman Brent. Under the terms of a 2011 endowment agreement, the Vilnius Jewish Public Library was created within the county’s public library system and Mr. Brent donated to the Library more than 5,000 books on such subjects as Jewish culture, art, history, and religion. This act of philanthropy followed in the example of Matisyahu Strashun (1817-1885), whose personal collection of books, including 5,700 rare Hebrew and Yiddish books and manuscripts, became the nucleus of the Great Vilna Synagogue’s world-famous Strashun library.
The Library’s holdings have subsequently increased steadily as more donations of books and other materials have been received and the Library continues to welcome such donations.
In addition to preserving and promoting the literature, culture, and history of Lithuania’s Jewish communities, the Library also strives to stimulate inter-cultural cooperation. Thanks to the Foundation’s efforts, the Library hosts educational programs, public forums, and art displays at the Library’s facilities in downtown Vilnius and elsewhere in Lithuania. For example, in late 2017, the Library launched project to bring a team of professional lecturers, researchers, librarians and musicians to nine cities and towns to present the Jewish influence on the social, political, and cultural development of Lithuania from the historical perspective.
The Foundation also publishes a Jewish cultural periodical magazine, Brasta / Wade [The Fording Place].
More information about the Foundation can be found at http://www.vilnius-jewish-
For information regarding how to donate books and other media to the Library, please send an e-mail to info@vilnius-jewish-public-library.com or or call +370-521-97748. The VJPL’s mailing address is Gedimino pr. 24, Vilnius LT-01103, Lithuania.
Financial contributions to RLI in support of the Foundation’s activities on behalf of the Library made be made by clicking on the button below.
Žilvanas Beliauskas, the director of VJPL, leading a June 2017 discussion about the documentary film, Sisters. Credit: Ugnius Babinskas.