Our project is an open initiative, we welcome everyone who wishes to join.
How can you help?
Visiting cemeteries and taking pictures of the gravestones
When visiting cemeteries we kindly ask that the following rules be respected:
- Cemeteries should not be visited and photographed on Saturdays and during Jewish Holidays. To check the dates of Jewish Holidays, please click here;
- All men must wear a hat or other head covering. Women are advised to wear a shawl;
- Please respect the burial place, do not drink or eat in a cemetery.
- Take a digital camera and visit an old Jewish cemetery. How to locate a cemetery: You can find a list of cemeteries on this site. In order to avoid duplication, please make sure that the cemetery you are planning to visit has not been photographed and documented. The location of some cemeteries is known and you will the find the exact position of them on the virtual map. However, we do not know the exact location of all cemeteries. So when seeking out these cemeteries, please be patient and rely on local residents for help (if you speak Lithuanian or Russian), they are usually happy to show visitors the cemetery in their neighborhood.
- Instructions: Take a picture (High Definition is preferable) of each gravestone in such way that the engraved text in Hebrew is legible. When going to the cemetery, do not forget to take: a) gloves, b) rubber boots c) insect repellent for mosquitoes and ticks (for spring-autumn), d), knife - to scrape the moss and lichen from the gravestones, e) a few pieces of white chalk - to highlight the text before taking the pictures. This will help the interpreter translate the epitaph.
- In addition to the gravestones, please take a few pictures of the general cemetery environment - the gates (if any), a fence, surroundings, etc.
- Submitting your photos: Please submit all photos via email, including the date and numbering of the gravestones, to info@litvak-cemetery.info . Your photos, will be uploaded to our website as soon as the text is translated and the photographer will be acknowledged.
Translation from Hebrew
If you are able to translate from Hebrew into English and/or Lithuanian and Russian, please contact us info@litvak-cemetery.info