Central Archive of the History of Lithuanian Jewry

            In 1979 the historian, Professor Dov Levin, suggested establishing an archive of the history of Lithuanian Jewry. As a historian Professor Levin was aware of the importance of collecting materials about the lives of Jews and the necessity of capturing the moment while time was still on our hands.

            At a gathering of friends he suggested  that I assume the responsibility under the auspices of the Association of Lithuanian Jews in Israel. We met with the Association's chairman, Jacob Olaisky ז"ל who was very enthusiastic about the importance of the subject. I agreed to meet the challenge on a voluntary basis, and with Mr. Olaisky's blessings and support the archive was established.

            I personally visited various archives like the Central Archive of the Jewish People in Jerusalem, the Archive of Jews from Latvia and Estonia, kibbutz archives (Yagur, Givat Brenner), and thus I gathered information to study the subject. I sent out a form to former Lithuanian Jews in Israel, and in particular I turned to Litvaks in the kibbutzim (Beit Zera, Ofikim, Yagur, etc), and thus archival material began to arrive.

            The materials in the archive include: photos, letters, newpaper clippings, books, diaries and various documents, personal and public. I based a system of registering items and their cataloging according to subject matter, as acceptable in historical archives.

The archive has two sections:

1. Books that were written by former Lithuanian Jews, about Lithuanian Jewry in the past and the present. Most of these books have been donated to the archive.
2. Visual items: photos, photocopies, documents, personal files on all subjects.

The material in both sections is first listed in accession books (by number and file) chronologically. Since the archive's inception twenty-eight years have passed, and we have a rich collection. A few years ago we instituted a computerized catalog.

            The reason that I thought to preserve the materials was as a special tribute to the lives of Lithuanian Jews in all walks of life – personally, socially and in their various communities.

            In conclusion I would like to cite honorable mentions to those who worked in/for the archive:

1. Professor Dov Levin, the spiritual and intellectual founder  of the archive, and who throughout the years has been a loyal advisor.
2. Mr. Jacob Olaisky ז"ל, the chairman of the Association at that time, gave the archive from its very first steps the blessings of the Association of Lithuanian Jews in Israel and supported every project, unfortunately only for the first year prior to his death.
3. Volunteer, who through their dedication to the historical importance of the archive, for years have helped: Esther Rozen ז"ל. Abraham Zimrany ז"ל, Eliezar Fine ז"ל. And wished for long lives to Eta Goz, Abe Lawre and Carol Hoffman.

I want to mention in particular donors who at the very beginning of the archive recognized the historical importance of gathering and preserving materials and who gave of their collections so very generously:

1. Professor Nathan Fineberg ז"ל – materials relating to the Independent Lithuania.

2. Dov Lipetz ז"ל  - publisher

3. Dr. Alexander Rosenfel ז"ל – author, educator, a Macabbi leader in Lithuania.

4. Yehezkiel Bentor ז"ל from Kibbutz Beit Zera who worked diligently with the kibbutz Litvaks to gather materials for the archive.

And thank you to many others with whom I had the honor of knowing and working, who encouraged me throughout the years of my activities in the archive since 1980.

Rahel Levin-Rozenzweig

Archive Director