For visitors
- Home
- TELZ YESHIVA
- For visitors
British Ambassador to Lithuania Elizabeth Boyles Visits the Samogitian Museum "Alka"
On 24 July, the Samogitian Museum "Alka" had the honour of receiving Elizabeth Boyles, the British Ambassador to Lithuania, together with a delegation from the British Embassy Vilnius.
The guests were welcomed by Museum Director Eva Stonkevičienė, who presented the museum's mission, its work in preserving and promoting the cultural and historical heritage of Samogitia, and its international partnerships.
During the visit, Ambassador Boyles explored the Telz Yeshiva and the Museum's Historical Exhibition. At the Telz Yeshiva, Romena Kazlauskė, the museum's tour guide, introduced the guests to the history of one of the world's most renowned Jewish religious schools, its significance to Telšiai, and its lasting place in Jewish heritage. The guests also experienced a cherished Jewish tradition by trying dreidel, the spinning-top game associated with the celebration of Hanukkah.
The visit also provided an opportunity to discuss the historical links between Telšiai and the United Kingdom. It was recalled that in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the Telz Yeshiva was an internationally renowned centre of Jewish learning, attracting students from many countries, including the United Kingdom. The discussion also highlighted Rabbi Eliezer Gordon, who travelled to London after the Great Fire of Telšiai in 1908 to raise funds for the affected community, as well as the present-day connection with the descendants of Zvi Yaakov Oppenheim, one of the founders of the Telz Yeshiva, who now live and work in the United Kingdom.
At the Historical Exhibition, Ambassador Boyles explored highlights of Samogitia's rich history, from some of Lithuania's earliest archaeological discoveries to the region's nineteenth- and twentieth-century cultural heritage, manor traditions, and art collections.
The visit reaffirmed the international significance of the Telz Yeshiva and highlighted the enduring historical ties between Telšiai and the United Kingdom. It also reflected a shared commitment to preserving cultural heritage and strengthening international dialogue through history, education, and culture.
