Tag Archives: europe

The Yin and the Yang of It

Posted on September 5, 2025 by Janette Silverman

When I’m in Eastern Europe I feel so pulled. On the one hand cities, like Krakow are so beautiful, Warsaw represents how all ruins don’t have to remain, but some should, and other cities, towns, villages, have their own sense … Continue reading →

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Avoidance

Posted on September 4, 2025 by Janette Silverman

Today we visited one of the most amazing museums – Polin. The museum is about 10 years old, and is absolutely incredible. I’ve been here before and I’m always finding something new, something to marvel at, and something to capture … Continue reading →

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Every City

Posted on September 1, 2025 by Janette Silverman

If I were to tell you that I have a favorite city that I’d be visiting on this trip, I’d be lying. Every city we go to, I can be found saying that I love this city. Today we flew … Continue reading →

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Tears

Posted on August 30, 2025 by Janette Silverman

Today we visited one of those all too many lost communities. It was about a two hour drive from Kaunas to Švėkšna. In 1897 there were about 1000 Jews living in Švėkšna. By the interwar period, Jews owned more than … Continue reading →

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History, Culture, Food, and of course, Ice Cream

Posted on August 29, 2025 by Janette Silverman

This morning, because the hours spend at the Palace of the Grand Dukes didn’t cure us, we went to see Trakai and Trakai Castle. If you followed my blog or spoke with me after my 2018 and 2019 research trips, … Continue reading →

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A Balebosta in Vilnius

Posted on August 28, 2025 by Janette Silverman

It’s not often that you have an opportunity to meet with someone who carries the traditions of Litvak food in her soul. Even if she doesn’t sing out loud as she prepares the ingredients, mixes them, all the while explaining … Continue reading →

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Getting rattled

Posted on August 27, 2025 by Janette Silverman

There are many things when one travels that could be disturbing or nerve wracking. I can’t imagine how our ancestors coped with this, traveling in steerage, carrying all they owned on their backs. I need multiple suitcases even for short … Continue reading →

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Raindrops keep falling, and falling…

Posted on August 25, 2025 by Janette Silverman

The raindrops are very real, but they are also metaphorical. Today we took a long drive to Plungė. I’ve never been there before, and neither has Lina, a native of Lithuania. I have probably not been to half or maybe … Continue reading →

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The Streets

Posted on August 24, 2025 by Janette Silverman

Last night I was lulled to sleep by the musicians playing on the street outside the hotel – accordions, guitars, I think I saw a violinist when I was outside, too. This morning, I woke up early and was lulled … Continue reading →

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Time

Posted on August 23, 2025 by Janette Silverman

As a genealogist I spend a great deal of time searching for people who lived centuries ago. I marvel at the clarity of some of the pages of documents that have withstood the ravages of time while bemoaning the degradation … Continue reading →

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