Tag Archives: History

From ‘The Annihilation of Lithuanian Jewry’

Posted on March 24, 2020 by Andrew

Keidan by Efraim Oshry The following is an entry from Oshry, Efraim, “The Annhilation of Lithuanian Jewry” (New York, 1995) Originally published in Yiddish as  “Khurbn Lita”. New York, 1951. LITHUANIAN NAME: Kėdainiai RUSSIAN NAME: Keidany LOCATION: A district capital … Continue reading →

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Opening the Archives

Posted on March 15, 2020 by Andrew

After years of procrastination, I have finally collected and published the bulk of the Keidan memorial books on line. Continue reading →

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Rabbis of Keidan

Posted on March 7, 2020 by ACassel

By Shmuel Hadari and Josef Chrust The Jewish settlement in Keidan is ancient, and the town’s Jewish community is one of the oldest in Lithuania. The town held a respected place in the “Council of the Land of Lithuania,” in … Continue reading →

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Thinkers and Doers

Posted on February 27, 2020 by ACassel

From “Yahadut Lita” Vol. 3, Tel Aviv, 1967.  Einhorn, Aharon (1884-1942) Journalist, born in Keidan. He studied Talmud until he was 17. Completed secondary school in Paris, afterwards studied at the Sorbonne. He began his career as a journalist in … Continue reading →

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Sages and Scholars

Posted on February 27, 2020 by ACassel

From “Yahadut Lita” Vol. 3, Tel Aviv, 1967.   Dat, Rabbi Zalman-Aharon bar Dov (1859-1916) Born in Keidan, he studied in Ragole (Ariogala) and Eishyshok (Eišiškės). He was the rabbi in Pushelat (Pušalotas) for 16 years and thereafter in Smilg (Smilgiai) … Continue reading →

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Looking Back

Posted on February 27, 2020 by ACassel

By Sholem Dat (Johannesburg) First published in “Lita,” (p. 1475) by the Jewish-Lithuanian Cultural Society Inc. 1951.  Keidan is one of the oldest cities in Lithuania, and her Jewish community was also one of the first. Keidan was originally a … Continue reading →

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A Town’s Special Character

Posted on February 27, 2020 by ACassel

By Daniel Ben-Nachum (Prochovnik). (Beit Zera, Israel) Based on their frequent descriptions in our literature, the towns and villages of Lithuania were apparently alike in appearance and character. The market square in the center, filled with noisy trade and bargaining, … Continue reading →

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Fire in the Town, 1914

Posted on February 27, 2020 by ACassel

By Yitzhak Wolpe, as told to David Wolpe First published in the 1950 anniversary book, Keidan Sick Benefit & Benevolent Society of Johannesburg. 1. It was 1914, late spring, just a week after the holiday of Shavuot. The air in … Continue reading →

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Stolypin in Keidan

Posted on February 27, 2020 by ACassel

By Berl Cohen (Durban, S. Africa) The name of Stolypin, once the second most powerful man in all Great Russia, was linked to Keidan, and also, it must be noted, to its Jewish community. Piotr Arkadjevich Stolypin began as “marshalik” … Continue reading →

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Agriculture, Industry and Trade

Posted on February 26, 2020 by ACassel

By Israel Libenzon There were Jews in Keidan as early as the 15th century. Keidan attracted traders mainly owing to its big annual fair. From that time, the number of Jews increased from year to year, and the community began … Continue reading →

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