Foundation joins Council of Europe delegation fact-finding visit to Lithuania

Foundation for Jewish Heritage Chief Executive Michael Mail spent a fascinating few days this month as part of a Council of Europe delegation to Lithuania.

This was undertaken for a Council of Europe investigation into the general state of Jewish heritage preservation in Europe today. The Foundation has been appointed as the body to provide expertise and guidance to this process.

The five-day visit included viewings of 12 different synagogues in varying states – fully restored, undergoing restoration and ‘at risk’ buildings.

Included in the trip was a visit to an unrestored wooden synagogue in Alanta – which is one of the Foundation’s priority highlighted sites in need of attention.

It is expected that recommendations will be formulated as part of the Council of Europe Report due to be finalised in the Spring.