JEWISH Kedainiai

Edita Mongirdaite

and 2 other Guides

Hotels

Gray's House Hotel

and 1 other Hotels

Gray’s house

and 2 other Restaurants

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אתרים מומלצים Sites to see

Sites

Great Market Square

Jews settled in the private town of Kėdainiai in the first half of the 17th century. The Jewish community grew rapidly, so local Christian-dwellers asked town owners to implement restrictions on Jews, limiting their living space in town. Thus, the town's owner issued regulations, which allowed Jews to live only in a separate part of town – the Jewish quarter, which is located around the Synagogue complex. However, despite the restrictions, some Jews lived outside the boundaries of the Jewish quarter. The main market square was the most attractive place in town to do business, as many people from neighboring towns and other areas gathered here during the weekly markets. Most of the local Jews engaged in crafts and small trade. Later, in the 19th century, the local Jews began to grow cucumbers and sell them in many Lithuanian and even Latvian towns.

Sites

Kedainiai Synagogue Complex

Kėdainiai has a synagogue complex that consists of two synagogues: The Great Synagogue and the New Synagogue. The Great Synagogue was built in 1784, replacing a wooden synagogue that burned down during the fire. In the first half of the 19th century, the Jewish community continued to grow, and the need to build additional prayer houses arose. The New Synagogue was built in 1837. On its facade, you can see some features of historicist architecture. Before one hundred years, this place looked different as it was an epicenter of the Jewish community. The New Synagogue housed a custody place. Also, in front of the synagogue, a butcher's house stood, which was connected to the synagogue by an arc. Since 2002 the building of the New Synagogue is used as a multicultural center, where people have an opportunity to get acquainted with the history of the Jewish community and attend various cultural events. While The Great Synagogue, during the Soviet times, experienced serious reconstructions, and the interior of the synagogue was redesigned. Now the synagogue houses an art school.

Sites

Kedainiai Old Jewish Cemetery

It is unknown when the surviving Jewish cemetery of Kėdainiai was established. The oldest inscription dates back to the 1860s, yet this cemetery may have been established even earlier. Currently, nearly 600 tombstones could be found in the territory of this cemetery.

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Tours of Kedainiai

Tours

Visit Kedainia

Jews settled in Kėdainiai in the first half of the 17th century. They were proud of the fact that they were protected by the owners of the town, and were not subject to the jurisdiction of the town. In the 18th century, the Jewish Kahal was one of the greatest and most influential in Žemaitija. The future Gaon of Vilnius Elijahu studied Talmud in Kėdainiai. During the interwar period, Jews were the owners of 150 small companies and stores, they managed a bank, had schools, homes for the elder and orphanages, as well as volunteer firefighter and football teams. At the end of the 19th century, Jews comprised more than 60 percent of the entre population. Three former Jewish synagogues, tent festival Sukot house, and buildings that belonged to other Jews remain here. We remember, cherish, promote and talk about the Jewish community legacy. Duration 2 hours. After the tour, we propose Jewish dish degustation in the restaurant "Smilga". Kėdainiai Old Town is a State protected urban monument, one of the seven remaining Old Towns in Lithuania. The town was planned rationally since the end of the 16th century by noblemen Kiškos and Radvilas. Here you will find the old road network and a variety of architectural forms: buildings with Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Classicism features. During the tour, you will learn about the most valuable and interesting object of Old Town. Duration 1–1.5 hours.

Tours

JeruLita

When we travel and experience the world, the marks left by other people throughout history influence us and inspire new ideas that help us leave our own mark on this world. Jerulita is a tour operator company founded in 1999. Our mission is to help travelers learn about the culture, heritage, and historical value that places around the world have. Our tours are led by friendly passionate and knowledgeable tour guides. They are always happy to answer questions, make you laugh, tell local stories, and little known facts. Whether you’re looking for a city tour, a bus tour, or solo travel we guarantee your experience with us will be memorable.

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מסעדות בסגנון יהודי JEWISH STYLE RESTAURANTS

Gray’s house

Kedainiai town is one of seven towns of Lithuania which has a unique historic heritage – the old town. Kedainiai history starts with the first mentioning of its name in Livonion chronical written by Herman Vartberge in 1372. The Hotel “Grejaus namas”(Gray’s house) is a peaceful oasis in a quiet street of the old town of Kedainiai, and is situated right in the middle of town. The hotel is established in an 18th century building built by the Scots. Our front desk is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We offer you commodious, comfortable and homelike rooms, safe parking lot, restaurant-bar. Also comfort conference hall, Russian and Turkish baths. In the restaurant “Grėjaus namas” we offer you to arrange a festive occasion or a romantic dinner by candlelight. Both in the whole restaurant and its separate halls. Warm surroundings, delicious cuisine, and the restaurant’s cellars known for their mysterious history will long endure in your memory. We will make every gourmet’s heart beat stronger.

Krakių Bendruomenės Svetainė

Visitors to the site will be able to participate not only in programs of exceptional creativity, but also to taste the products supplied by local farmers and small producers. One of the main goals of the project is to promote cooperation between local food producers and local communities in the production, promotion and sale of their products by creating a public space. Encourage cooperation between food producers in the field of agricultural and food supply, combining transport, distribution, marketing, advertising and quality management activities, with the aim of ensuring that the products supplied reach the consumer quickly by developing the organization of the food supply chain. The head of the community center says that by organizing food for consumers according to the so-called short and healthy food chain, the consumer has a great opportunity to find out what is being bought, what and how it is made. Benefits for both the producer, who can create more added value, and the consumer, who gets food closer and healthier. It is both an education and a benefit to nature. Still, there is still a lot to improve here. "It simply came to our notice then. There are people in the area who produce butter organically and grow vegetables, but people do not dare to apply to the Veterinary Service for a permit. And we are without permission - no way. "Our people are hardworking, they only have a lot of internal fears, which is the biggest obstacle," Daiva is convinced. Currently, agreements are being concluded with thirteen farmers and small producers of Kėdainiai region. Erikas Augustinavičius, one of the largest beekeepers in the area, will supply honey and its products. Eggs, vegetables and spices will be bought from local farmers. And that’s just the beginning of the list. "Local produce is not just food. For example, the Ažytėnai community center has a sewing shop where she sews wonderful aprons and bags for spices. After all, it is also a local producer. Krakiškis Algimantas Vaiciekauskas weaves wonderful baskets and baskets. They can be used to add products and prepare business gifts for customers. Such a harmony is very beautiful. If you look more creatively, you can create a lot of wonderful things, ”said the community leader. According to her, the site will initially produce traditional food from the region, such as zeppelins with curd, cold beets with sourdoughs, and customers will be invited to try new and exclusive dishes and desserts during the tastings.

Hotel-Restaurant "Smilga"

Restaurant “Smilga” offers a wide range of Lithuanian traditional dishes. The restaurant also offers different food degustations, such as Lithuanian dishes, Jewish dishes (non-kosher), and historical dishes from the noble Radziwiłł family recipe books.

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מדריכים בעיר CITY GUIDES

Edita Mongirdaite

Edita offers private and group guided tours throughout the region of Kedainiai. She offers a Jewish Quarter tour where you can see the many historic Jewish sites that the city has preserved including the synagogue complex, the old Jewish orphanage, and the market square!

Audrone Peciulyte

Audrone offers guided tours in the city of Kedainiai and around the Jewish Quarter, as well as the settlements of the Kėdainiai District. With several years of experience and an extensive knowledge of the region's history, Audrone will be able to personalize your tour so that you can get the most out of your stay in Kedainai!

Daniel Gurevichh

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קראו עוד בלוגים וספרים אלקטרוניים READ MORE BLOGS AND EBOOKS

World Jewish Travel Official May 24, 2022

The Jewish Story of Kedainiai, Lithuania

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Hotels in Kedainiai

Hotels

Gray's House Hotel

The Hotel “Grejaus namas”(Gray’s house) is a peaceful oasis in a quiet street of the old town of Kedainiai, and is situated right in the middle of town. The hotel is established in an 18th century building built by the Scots. Our front desk is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We offer you commodious, comfortable and homelike rooms, safe parking lot, restaurant-bar. Also comfort conference hall, Russian and Turkish baths.

Hotels

Hotel Smilga

Located in the city of Kėdainiai, only 100 m from its Old Town, Hotel Smilga offers rooms with cable TV and a work desk. The River Nevezis is located nearby. Free private parking is provided. The Smilga’s rooms feature a classic interior design with walls painted in bright pastel colours and wooden furniture. All have a private bathroom with a shower. The Smilga’s front desk staff is available 24/7. Guests can relax in the hot tub or sauna. They can also get a steam bath or play a game of billiards.

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The Pressbook celebrates the one year anniversary of the Jewish Silk Road Portal launch, an amazing example of using Jewish travel as a means of cultural diplomacy, whilst highlighting the significant Jewish contribution to the ancient trade route. Kudos to our participating partners from the Kiriaty Foundation (Turkey), National Board of Tourism of #Georgia, National Board of Tourism of #Uzbekistan, and Israeli Embassy of #India.

See the overwhelming reaction from the press, by downloading our free pressbook. Special thanks to Moshe Gilad of the @haaretzcom for highlighting this forgotten but important story in the Galeria section of the newspaper and available to download on WJT.

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🌍 Celebrating One Year of the Jewish Silk Road Portal

World Jewish Travel was thrilled at #IMTM 2024 to present a copy of the WJT Jewish Silk Road Pressbook to the CEO of the Azerbaijan National Tourism Board Florian Sengstschmid and Jamilya Talibzade its Israeli representative Azerbaijan Tourism Board (ATB).

The Pressbook celebrates the one year anniversary of the Jewish Silk Road Portal launch, an amazing example of using Jewish travel as a means of cultural diplomacy, whilst highlighting the significant Jewish contribution to the ancient trade route. Kudos to our participating partners from the Kiriaty Foundation (Turkey), National Board of Tourism of #Georgia, National Board of Tourism of #Uzbekistan, and Israeli Embassy of #India.

See the overwhelming reaction from the press, by downloading our free pressbook. Special thanks to Moshe Gilad of the @haaretzcom for highlighting this forgotten but important story in the Galeria section of the newspaper and available to download on WJT.

👉Link to WJT Jewsih Silk Rad Pressbook and more is in our bio

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🏰✨ Travel through time and faith without leaving home! Join on a virtual journey through Jerusalem’s Old City, a place where history and spirituality meet.

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#VirtualJerusalem #HolyWeekAtHome #easter #jewishtravel #EasterTravel #virtualTour

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Join 'Explore the Holy Land’ Virtual Journey, where ancient traditions come to life.

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#VirtualJourney #HolyLandExperience
#EasterVirtualTour #PassoverExperience
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