Bringing together the Temple Israel congregation with this Chavaya Yom HaShoah program, our own Cantor Rita Glassman will share her family story as a child of Holocaust survivors. She was featured in the film “The Secrets of the Great Synagogue of Vilna” which tells the story of the six year-long excavation of what was considered the greatest and most venerable synagogue in Lithuania before the Holocaust. This synagogue, central to Jewish life in Vilna, was built in the 16th century when there was an ecclesiastical rule that synagogues could not be taller than the local churches. Therefore, the builders of the Great Synagogue built six feet below ground, and by doing so, everything that was underneath was marvelously preserved. This gave us an immeasurable wealth of discoveries when the synagogue was excavated. Cantor Glassman’s father Isaac, who lived in Vilna, and was religious, attended the Great Synagogue which was known for its many renowned virtuosic Cantors.
In 1943, one day before the Vilna Ghetto was liquidated, Isaac Glassman managed to escape after which he went into hiding for ten months with nine members of his family. Due to his courage and resistance of the Nazis, and the bravery and help of the family’s Catholic nanny, Lodjya, the Glassman family was able to survive. Part of the family immigrated to Israel, and Cantor Glassman’s parents, who met after the war, settled in Mamaroneck, NY.
Tuesday, April 18th
6:00 pm Dinner (online reservations are closed)
7:00 pm Program
This evening is suitable for adults and teens
Visit www.tinr.org/Vilna to view the 4 1/2 minute trailer of the film “ The Secrets of the Great Synagogue of Vilna.” Questions? Contact Rebecca Elkus-Ferst, Director of Education: Youth & Families
