Jerusalem, October 30, 2024: A small songbook from Schmalleninken (Schmaleningken) clarifies: The synagogue was inaugurated on September 18, 1865! Schmaleningken (today Smalininkai in Lithuania) is the easternmost town in the Memel region (Memelland). Until the end of World War I, Memelland (today “Little Lithuania”) was the part of East Prussia that lay north of the Memel River. In this bustling border town, a Jew was allowed to purchase a house in East Prussia for the first time. Until now, it was not known exactly when the synagogue was built. We found the document in the National Library of Israel, which only this year moved into its new building opposite the Knesset, the Israeli parliament. This is one of the many finds that can be admired here from East Prussia and about which we will write some more reports.

Schmaleningken is the easternmost town in the Memel region. Until the end of World War I, Memel was the part of East Prussia that lay north of the Memel River.

A small songbook from Schmalleninken (Schmaleningken) clarifies: The synagogue was inaugurated on September 18, 1865

The National Library of Israel, which only this year (2024) moved into its new building.
Left: Synagogue of Schmalleningken 1865-1939