Project name: "Indestructible Love in Jewish Culture"

Implementation period: 1 September 2026 - 30 November 2026

Project presentation: The project will include two main activities – the presentation and exhibition of an exhibition, as well as an educational lecture dedicated to Jewish culture, traditions, and historical heritage. During the first activity, an exhibition focusing on Jewish culture, history, and memory will be presented and displayed. The exhibition presentation will provide visitors with an opportunity to explore the exhibits, learn about their historical context, discover more about the life of Lithuanian Jewish communities, their traditions, and their contribution to Lithuania’s history. The second activity will be an educational lecture introducing various aspects of Jewish culture: traditions, customs, religious life, the significance of synagogues in Jewish communities, family values, and the concept of love in Jewish culture. The lecture will aim not only to present the painful historical experiences related to the Holocaust but also to reveal the rich, meaningful, and vibrant Jewish cultural heritage that has survived despite historical tragedies. Organizing these events in Jurbarkas is particularly meaningful because the town has a strong connection with Lithuanian Jewish history. Before the Second World War, Jurbarkas was home to a large Jewish community that played an important role in the town’s economic, cultural, and social life. Jewish families lived here for generations, developed businesses, maintained traditions, and contributed significantly to the history and identity of Jurbarkas. With the beginning of the Second World War, the Jewish community of Jurbarkas became one of the first communities in the region to experience the tragedy of the Holocaust. The majority of local Jews were murdered, leaving a deep and painful mark on the historical memory of the town.

Role of Project Partners
Saulius Pilinkus is a partner contributing to the dissemination of Jewish culture, history, and memory. His participation in the project will strengthen public education and cultural dialogue by providing an opportunity to present topics related to Jewish history, heritage, and traditions in a professional and engaging way.
The partner’s knowledge and experience will contribute to the successful implementation of project activities, including lectures, educational meetings, and exhibition presentations, encouraging greater public interest in Lithuania’s Jewish historical legacy.
Mikhail Duškes is a well-known Lithuanian Jewish heritage promoter, collector, scholar, athlete, and public figure. For many years, he has collected, preserved, and presented valuable historical materials related to Lithuanian Jewish life, including documents, books, photographs, postcards, publications, letters, and other archival objects reflecting the life of Jewish communities in Lithuania before the Holocaust.
His Lithuanian Judaica collection reveals the rich and diverse history of Jewish communities in Lithuania – their religious traditions, education, cultural activities, economic life, businesses, social organizations, achievements in science, and sports. Exhibitions and publications based on his collection provide society with an opportunity to understand not only the tragedy of the Holocaust but also the vibrant, creative, and significant life of Jewish communities before the destruction of the Second World War.
Michailas Duškesas was born in Kaunas in 1948. He graduated from Kaunas Polytechnic Institute and is a specialist in applied mathematics and author of scientific publications. He is also recognized as a successful table tennis player and an active member of Lithuania’s sports community.
A significant part of his work is dedicated to preserving the memory of Lithuanian Jewish history. His collection helps present Lithuanian Jews not only through the tragedy of the Holocaust but also as an active and creative part of Lithuanian society that made important contributions to the country’s cultural, economic, educational, and scientific development.
Michailas Duškesas’ work plays an important role in preserving Jewish heritage, promoting historical awareness, encouraging tolerance, and sharing authentic knowledge about Lithuania’s multicultural past with future generations.