Struck by lightning

Memo August 1851 “… the Jewish herring merchant Jochim Goersch from Wystiten was struck dead by lightning in the village of Karklienen on August 25,

Jewish retirement home in Vilkaviskis

New text finds on the opening of the old people’s home, now a hospital in Vistitis (now Lithuania), which shows the connection to the nearby town of Eydtkuhnen in Eastern Prussia.

Map Pilviskiai excerpt

Pilviškiai 1798

When the small and still very young town of Pilviškiai came under Prussian administration in 1795 during the Third Partition of Poland-Lithuania, a census of the Jewish inhabitants was arranged. It took place in 1798.

Potrait Rabbi Moshe Nadel

Rabbi Moses Nadel

Rabbi Moses Nadel was buried in Koenigsberg. We can give face and history to his name: Nadel was born ab. 1882 in Viešintos (Lithuania), was ordinated by the Vilna Beit Din and served as a shochet and mohel in Krekenava.

List Jews Sakai 1821

Current research on Šakiai

Šakiai: The work on the list is still going on. But already now it can be revealed that there were many grain merchants in the town, but also several glaziers and even a bookbinder.

Synagogue Schmalleningken

Schmalleningken / Smalininkai

The town had almost an urban appearance because of the customs revenues and the lively trade with its hotels, inns and stores. The Memel River was the important transport and trade artery for timber and flax imports from the interior of the continent to the Baltic Sea (via the ports of Memel or Königsberg)

Etta and Tobias Israelit

Jews in Memel – Pdf available

This is therefore the first attempt to present the Jewish history of Mémel in words and pictures. It is obvious that the Litvaks, the Jews from Lithuania, were an integral part of the Memel community throughout the period. This publication is intended for all who are interested in Jewish history. The author hopes that it will help fill in the gaps in the history of the city of Klaipėda, the region and the Jewish minority.