Thursday, 23 April 2020 was the 300th anniversary of the birth of the Vilna Gaon, Rabbi Eliyahu ben Shlomo Zalman, and top officials in both Lithuania and Israel marked the occasion with public gestures of remembrance of the late Lithuanian Jewish leader.
A small ceremony was held in Vilnius at the tomb of the Vilna Gaon with government officials and Jewish leaders in attendance, including the President of the Lithuanian Jewish community, Adv. Faina Kukliansky.
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linus Linkevicius tweeted, “300 years since the birth of Vilna Gaon. Today, by his grave in Vilnius, I am paying the highest tribute to Vilna Gaon, an eternal symbol of Lithuanian Jewish culture and history. The magnitude of Vilna Gaon’s contribution to the spiritual Jewish life is immensely important.”
Israeli Foreign Minister Yisrael Katz replied to Linkevicius, “300 years ago today, one of Judaism’s greatest religious thinkers, the Vilna Gaon was born in Vilnius. His legacy & the rich history of Lithuania’s Jewish community lives on. Thank you to FM @LinkeviciusL for this meaningful tribute at the Vilna Gaon’s grave this morning.”
Israeli President Reuven Rivlin tweeted, “This year, we mark the 300th anniversary of the birth of the Vilna Gaon. As a Rivlin, followers of the Gaon who came to #Israel in accordance with his wishes, I spoke today with President @GitanasNauseda of #Lithuania. I hope to find a way to honor his memory and legacy together.”
