On the Holocaust Memorial Day, the students assemble at the Center for an evening of history and continuance. Marking Holocaust Day in Kaunas takes on special significance in the light of the glorious Jewish past in the city. Close to 80 years after the Jews of Kaunas were led to death and slaughter at the hands of the Nazi’s, may their name be blotted out forever, and the Lithuanians who went hand in hand with them – Jewish Israeli students return and fill the city streets. Later on in the evening, a film on the subject of the Holocaust is shown. Usually, the film concerns the part that Lithuania played in the war and especially deals with the city of Kaunas. The events of Holocaust Memorial Day in the Center are highly emotional and give the students much food for thought.
“It’s amazing to think about the history of this city; until now, I viewed it as another typical European city. Now, I look at it completely differently, in every way.”