The seminar "Pearls of Yiddish Culture" for 45 young leaders from Israel and former Soviet Union was held in Vilnius on October 22 – 24, 2016 by WJC Yiddish center within the framework of the educational program "Rodnya" ("Kin" in Russian), organized by the Genesis Foundation and Hillel in FSU.

In general, the "Rodnya" program is devoted to tracing Jewish families in the areas of Belorussia and Lithuania and to making family trees of each participant of the program.

The expedition started from Smilovichi, the native town of Chaim Soutine. The group of young Jewish leaders visited museum of that artist and the Jewish cemetery where his grandparents were buried. Further on, tracing Jewish heritage, the participants visited Minsk, Nesvizh, Grodno, Navahrudak, and Slonim. In all those places, special excursions have been held for familiarization with Jewish legacy.

The Vilnius seminar "Pearls of Yiddish Culture" had been meant as the final stage of the expedition. It lasted 3 days and included lectures given by the academical director of the International Yiddish Center at the World Jewish Congress, Dr. Mordechay Yushkovsky, as well as trips over Jewish Vilnius and the ancient capital of Lithuania - Trakai.

During two days of stay in Vilnius Dr. Yushkovsky delivered five lectures and led one excursion, following traces of Yiddish writers there. These are the subjects he spoke about: "What has Yiddish to say in the XXI century?"; "A Jewish woman"; "Love and erotic in Yiddish literature"; "Jewish emigration in Yiddish literature"; "Essence of morality and ethic in Jewish humor".

As usual, Dr. Yushkovsky presented every single fact in a very attractive manner; consequently, the audience's reaction to his lectures is always lively and excited.

The "Rodnya" project director Julia Shlimak wrote us:

Dear colleagues!

The third phase of international project «Rodnya» - a trip to Belarus and Lithuania - is now officially over. During this trip, 45 students from Russia and Israel got inspiration that will help them during the fourth phase – community services in their local cities.

We would like to thank Yiddish Center for providing great organization, for extraordinary instructors and for creating this amazing feeling of partnership and engagement with Yiddish culture that will stay with us from now on.

It is important to mention that all 45 members of our group gave Yiddish Center the highest ratings. Also, our questionnaires included a few open questions, and we would like to share some answers with you:

"Very emotional and striking experience! Special thanks for Yiddish humor!"

"Terrific people! Thank for introducing us to the history of Jewish Lithuanian community and Yiddish culture!"

"I feel a personal call to learn more about Yiddish culture. This is going to be my next project. Thank you" !

"I will always remember Mordechay Yushkovsky's lectures, I'll read all the recommended books."

"I am planning to organize a festival of Yiddish culture in my city. I hope it will work out and I will share with my people the knowledge I have gained during this educational trip. I think it is very important. Lots of thanks to Mordechay and to all the people from the Yiddish center!"

Dear colleagues, thank you very much! Your mission is very important and we are proud of being your partners.