With the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1990, Lithuania regained its independence. It was hoped that the new independent Lithuanian regime would start to  seriously address the issue  of the Holocaust of Lithuanian Jewry in contrast to the lack of interest demonstrated by the Soviet regime.

The subsequent disappointment was great, given the fact that Lithuania had publicly condemned the Soviet occupation of1940 and its policies in general regarding their country. As regards  the Holocaust, they continued to falsify the real history of the Holocaust, endorsing the Soviet view that the Germans alone bore the overwhelming responsibility  for the genocide of Lithuanian Jews with Lithuanian participation limited to a few individuals with criminal backgrounds.

The policy towards Jews of succesive governments in present day Lithuania became extremely negative. They passed racist legislation, refused to arrest and prosecute murderers of Jews and instead granted them complete rehabilitation. Furthermore they refused to restitute the civil rights to the Jews of Lithuania and discuss the return of looted Jewish property and  assets. Worst of all, the country has been rocked by  waves of anti-Semitism that reminded Lithuanian Jews of dark days in their past.

These developments led a group of former partisans and members of the Zionist underground in the Ghetto of Kaunas (Kovno) to convene a special conference in Caesarea in 1990.The group published a memorandum describing the situation in Lithuania. The memorandum was submitted to  the Israeli Government  of the day and circulated to numerous bodies and private individuals throughout the world.

The group  then followed this with the publication a journal called: ‘Lithuania, Crime and Punishment” (See issue # 7 on this site) which explained the danger inherent  in  Lithuanian efforts  to falsify the history of the Holocaust perpetrated on Lithuanian soil.

In 1992 the then Association Chairman, Dr Abba Geffen, in consultation with the Association's executive management adopted  this policy of political activism.

In 1996 a new Association Management team headed by advocate Joseph A. Melamed  was elected. It initiated the following program of action to address those issues relating to present day Lithuania and its government's policies, a move that reflected the expansion of the Association's activities.

 1.  Resolutely oppose and act against the falsification of the history of the Holocaust.

 2. Demand that the murderers of Lithuanian Jews be brought to justice and annul outright the rehabilitation granted to such individuals.

 3.  Demand  the restitution of civil rights and looted Jewish property and assets both private and communal.

 4. Document and preserve the cultural and spiritual heritage of Lithuanian Jewry, Jewish struggle and resistance in the Lithuanian Ghettos and partisans and as soldiers serving in the Allied Armies.

 5. Attract and involve the next generation in the activities of the Association.

 6. Extend welfare and assistance to the needy among Lithuanian Jews.

 7. Work for the well being of our people and  establish a fitting meeting place for the benefit of our members.

                                      Adv.Joseph A. Melamed 

UPDATE 2009 -  newly elected board is reviewing the purpose and mission statement of the Association and will announce its recommendations in due course