Opinions

VilNews discussion:
Jewish-Lithuanian relationships in the context of Holocaust and 600 years of coexistence

Donatas Januta and Olga Zabludoff

Dear VilNews Readers,

Many of you will have seen that we over the latest two months have had an ongoing discussion on the topic of Jewish-Lithuanian relations in the context of the Holocaust in Lithuania, as well as long term features of Lithuanian-Jewish coexistence between the 14th and the 20th centuries.

The debate has offered a unique opportunity to contextualise difficult questions, which are both sensitive and important.

The two most active debaters have been Olga Zabludoff and Donatas Januta. We present below a new post from Donatas, but recommend that all posts are read in chronological order to better understand the more overall context.

Go to our Section 5 or Section 12 to read all debate posts.

Donatas Januta: Reply to Olga Zabludoff re Holocaust in Lithuania
History 101: Double standards, red herrings, and one-way streets will not lead to understanding or reconciliation

My dear Olga, in the past you were so generous in trying to give me lessons in what you called Logic 101, but it turns out that when History 101 was being taught you must have skipped class. In discussing the Jewish monopoly in commerce and the trades and crafts in Lithuania, you say that it was the Lithuanians’ own choice not to go into those occupations, that they were free to select those occupations if they had so wanted. I am surprised how you disregard basic historical facts – even after Tautietis pointed you in the right direction in his comment to your Nov. 18th posting.

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Dear Editor,

I enjoy reading VilNews and, VilNews seems to touch on, if not already delve into, a variety of issues which are relevant to someone who may wish to retire in Lithuania. It might be interesting for much of your readership to more sharply focus on specific retirement issues such as comparisons and advantages of retiring in Lithuania, vs the US. This seems to be evolving as a hot topic in the US as many baby boomers face the reality of high living costs (particularly healthcare) and diminished pension resources.

Detailed and systematic comparisons of living costs, tax issues, health care and real estate ownership might even result in significant "foreign investment" into Lithuania by foreign, especially US retirees. My impression is that many of us Lithuanian-Americans have thought about this possibility. I know several who have taken action. Perhaps such "dreams" should be encouraged with facts, experiences, even government incentives. Thoughts?

Rimantas Aukstuolis
Cleveland, Ohio USA

Olga Zabludoff: Reply to Donatas Januta re Holocaust in Lithuania
It is most powerful when Lithuanians themselves stand up and speak out

Olga Zabludoff

Dear Donatas,

The ball is now in my court and I am happy to continue the discussion. It might be that you and I have an irreconcilable difference of opinion on the subject of Jewish contributions to the Lithuanian economy, or -- as you maintain -- the lack of Jewish contributions. Let me try once more to convince you.

You point out that on the eve of World War 1 the economy of “Mother Russia,” which had an insignificant Jewish population, and the economy of Lithuania, which had a substantial Jewish population, were pretty much equal – depressed and backward. You emphasize that in spite of the fact that Jews participated in Lithuania’s economy but did not participate in the economy of czarist Russia, there was no virtual difference in the two economies.

Logic 101: If Jews had not been present in Lithuania at the time and therefore had not participated in its economy, perhaps Lithuania’s economy might have been even weaker than that of “Mother Russia.” Participating in a nation’s economy does not mean controlling the economy of that nation, let alone an entire region. Conditions in Eastern Europe during that period were what they were; the result was a weak and undeveloped economy.

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The mere fact that some people do not approve of other peoples preferences does not make it a violation of human rights

Paulius Kulikauskas

Mr. Kurosky, 

I do not quite understand what you are shaming your historic motherland for. Certainly there is room for improvement in many things in Lithuania. Some part of the society and some individuals in Lithuania do not tolerate other people for any features or habits, and the list of the latter could be very long. You will certainly find people with rather intolerant attitudes in many other countries.
That is, again, very sad. Yet I find shaming the whole state and the whole society for that unfair.

Lithuania's record with the human rights is generally considered in line with the international conventions. As to the homosexuals, you find them even in the Seimas (Parliament), chairing most important committees. I have some close friends who are homosexual, both living in Lithuania and visiting from abroad. While sometimes uncomfortable, no-one ever complained about human rights, rather about lack of tolerance in the society. I agree with you that legal discrimination on the basis of sexual preferences is indeed intolerable. The mere fact that some people do not approve of other peoples preferences does not make it a violation of human rights, unless they act to harm your legitimate rights on the basis of their intolerance. Having you personal preferences approved by the others is not a human right. What makes you think that the State of Lithuania discriminates sexual minorities, can you please substantiate your claim with references to legislation, legal practices, and facts from personal experience? Your statement is so high pitched, with mixed up references to state dignitaries, international organisations, religion, your sexual practices and failed personal dreams, that without additional substance it may, er, using your words, "fail miserably" in furthering your dream - "to go home to beloved motherland"? 

Paulius Kulikauskas

Germany was very shrewd to use the Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) relatively qualified labor force to advance the national competitiveness agenda, after the Wessies have finally though belatedly discovered what a "black hole" the communist East Germany was. With large parts of CEE depopulating, this positive factor is temporary in nature though. Now the challenge is to rebalance sources of German growth, as too much emphasis on exports leaves Germany vulnerable to the vagaries of global markets. Internal demand stimulation should be a big theme, e.g. those vacation homes on Greek islands.

Valdas Samonis

No people No problem: "The Baltic Tigers" false prophets of economic austerity

By Prof. Jeffrey Sommers and Prof. Arunas Juska and Prof. Michael Hudson

The Baltic states have discovered a new way to cut unemployment and cut budgets for social services: emigration. If enough people of working age are forced to leave to find work abroad, unemployment and social service budgets will both drop.

This simple mathematics explains what the algebra of austerity-plan advocates are applauding today as the “New Baltic Miracle” for Greece, Spain, and Italy to emulate. The reality, however, is a model predicated on economic shrinkage as a result of wage cuts. In the case of Latvia, this was some 30 percent for Latvian public-sector employees (euphemized as “internal devaluation”). With a set of flat taxes on employment adding up to 59% in Latvia (while property taxes are only 1%), it would seem hard indeed to present this as a success story.

But one hears only celebratory praise from the neoliberal lobbyists whose policies have de-industrialized and stripped the Baltic economies of Lithuania and Latvia, leaving them debt-ridden and uncompetitive. It is as if their real estate collapse from bubble-level debt leveraging that left their basic infrastructure in the hands of kleptocrats, is a free market success story.

What then does a neoliberal “free market” mean?

Read more…

 
Jurate Kutkus Burns

This week in the Friday News Minute we look at Conscious Leadership in article from Lisa Berg, a colleague and friend, and President of Global Bridge Productions. Lisa’s article highlights an important part of our workplace transference from the Information Age to the Age of Consciousness, also called the Age of Enlightenment. Many believe that we will be entering this next evolutionary stage within the next five years…others believe that we have already begun to make this transition.

The time has come for us to move past the illusion of separateness
Conscious leadership calls for inclusivity, multidimensionality, intergenerational and interdisciplinary focus and common experience that goes beyond boundaries of rank, belief systems or nationality and touches the core of who we are.

What can we do to reach this level of inner and outer harmony that comes through collective efforts rather than conflict? What do wisdom traditions offer that is relevant in our modern world?
Listen from the heart to what has meaning and lead from there. As a cross-cultural consultant I work with hundreds of corporate employees working internationally.

Rather than judge one another, we teach our clients to go beneath the surface of a behavior that differed from their own to find deeper meaning. This led to under-standing and acceptance, more productive negotiations and perhaps even a shared knowing.
For example, when a Japanese business man is silent, it is wise to note that the Japanese listen to the ‘hara’, the belly, for information rather than use superfluous words and explanations. Not rushing into an answer is wise. We can learn from each other, if we take the time to slow down enough to listen.
Appreciate what I call the Three Points of Connection: Nature, Humanity and Universal Wisdom. In the beautiful rice fields of Bali, Indonesia stands a shrine. The farmer is reminded of his connection to his fellow human beings, to Nature and to the Spirit world. The Balinese give offerings throughout the day to the Gods. The peacefulness in the air is palpable. There is a feeling of generosity and oneness. And lots of smiling.

When leaders and citizens remember to appreciate the Three Points of Connection, everything else will fall into place. We will know, from deep within, that to care for our environment is not only a privilege but natural because as we care for the earth we care for ourselves. We will know that going beyond boundaries of difference and age-old conflict enables us to make peace with our neighbors and co-create a world where children live happily and healthfully. And, when we return to source as the partner in creating our world, we will not falter in our ability to move towards a positive future that is inclusive of all sentient beings, as the great mystical traditions teach.
Creating a harmonious and inclusive future takes a village.

Gather small groups in your organization and begin to listen deeply to each other. Better yet, take a walk outside and commune with Nature. Give thanks for the beauty that surrounds you and take time to smell the roses. All things will go smoother from there.

Jurate Kutkus Burns,
Florida.