Gathering the Wheat

Creating a Jewish ESL (English as a Second Language) library in Lithuania presents certain challenges. However, some things remain universal no matter in which country the library is located or the language of the land. The Vilnius Jewish Library will be a place where people will feel comfortable as they sit and listen to various figures discuss whichever topic happens to be on the agenda that day. Given the fact that this is a library in Lithuania, most of the talks will be in Lithuanian. Even though it is an ESL library, people will be drawn inside knowing they can hear others talk about subjects of interest to them in their own language.

Certainly I need to sit in on any lectures I can which are given in Lithuanian. If one is willing and in my case definitely wanting to live in Lietuva as the natives know it, then learning the lingua franca is a necessity. I remember listening to the music of Lithuania. There was such beauty in so much of what I heard. Turning on the tv and watching the music programs or going to concerts or popping in a cd was a frequent occurrence. How much better it will be when I can actually understand just what is being sung. So off to the lectures I will go.

There will certainly be talks given in English. It would be a pleasure and an honour to welcome guests such as Yale Strom or Sir Martin Gilbert to speak at the library. They have such fascinating perspectives on what it means to be Jewish. They write eloquently on the lives of the Jews. I imagine they also speak as passionately as they write. Whatever will help Lithuanians better understand those who once were such a vital part of the life of the country will be a very positive accomplishment indeed.

Imagine a lecture area where the person speaking will have their choice of a lectern or a stuffed chair where one could sink into. People will be sitting in a semi-circle around the guest speaker. Those listening will be on sofas or beanbags or loveseats. Everyone will be part of a group setup rarely seen anywhere. During the lecture, the cats may stop and check things out. Most likely they will at least do a walk by overhead upon their catwalks.

Whatever it takes to bring people in is exactly what will be done. It is my dream to live in a place of books and learning. This library will be the dream come true. The dream will take time to realize. Almost anything worth having is not easily won. There are many meetings and planning sessions ahead. There will be times of difficulty and frustration. Yet in the end there will be a bastion of learning and understanding. I wouldn't have it any other way.