Association of Lithuanian Jews

History 1932 to 1990 

Adv. Joseph A. Melamed 

The Association was initially established in 1932 as a cooperative society in Israel. Its task back then was limited to helping new immigrants.

A turning point came immediately following World War Two with the mass immigration to Israel of Holocaust survivors and refugees, among them thousands of Lithuanian Jews. The late Reuven Rubinstein, former editor of the “Yiddishe Shtime”  was appointed President of the Association and under his leadership  the standing of the Association was greatly improved both in Israel and among Lithuanian expatriate Jewry in other countries. 

During Rubinstein's term  of office the first three volumes of the history of Lithuanian Jewry -“Yahadut Lita” were published. This was accomplished together with  the ongoing and critical assistance to new Lithuanian Jewish immigrants,.especially those who found themselves destitute. Among other projects initiated at that time was, was the construction of the "Shikun Lita" housing scheme in Ramat Sharon, with the help of the Lithuanian Jewry of Philadelphia.

A significant contribution was also made to the activities of the Association, by the late Jacob Oleisky, the then Director General of the “Ort” network of vocational training schools  in Israel. During his term the activities of the Association reached record levels. Although assistance to  the needy remained a priority for the Association, Oleisky expanded the scope of Association projects to include commemoration of the Lithuanian Jewish Holocaust victims and organization and promotion of cultural activities.

Since Lithuania was once again ruled by the Communist Soviet Union, there was no opportunity during the four decades and more following the war, for any form of political or diplomatic engagement on bilateral issues between the Soviet Lithuanian Republic and Lithuanian Jewish diaspora.