Daily Life in the Vilna Ghetto during the Holocaust

Inscription on the wall surrounding the sports field in the Vilna ghetto, encouraging the public to engage in sports.

Yad Vashem Photo Archives, 3380/400

Daily Life in the Vilna Ghetto: Holocaust Survivor Testimonies

Shabtai Shepsel Prushan (seated second from the right) with other factory workers, in Vilna, probably in the ghetto

From a collection of photographs that were found after liberation, in the pockets of people who had been murdered in the Klooga camp

Yad Vashem Photo Archives 4068/94
Courtesy of The Central Historic Museum in Estonia

Abraham Sutzkever (right) and Shmerke Kaczerginski outside their apartment in the Vilna ghetto, July 1943

Yad Vashem Photo Archives, 3380/408

Jew climbing out of a "malina" (hiding place) at 6 Strashun Street in Vilna. The underground fighters learned to shoot in this hiding place.

Yad Vashem Photo Archives 3380/422

Poster published by the culture office in the Vilna ghetto, 1943. The poster describes an art exhibition held in the theater lobby and due to close on Sunday, 4 April. The notice includes opening hours and cites that entrance is free.

Yad Vashem Photo Archives, 3380/164

Two contact prints of scenes from a theater production in the Vilna ghetto

Yad Vashem Photo Archives, F3380/111

Abram Berkon's ghetto work certificate, issued by the Fliegerhorst Kommandantur (German Air Force Headquarters) in Vilna, 22 August 1941

Abram's name appears on a list of Jews detained at the Vilna ghetto prison in June 1943. His fate is unknown.

Yad Vashem Photo Archives 2074/70

Alexander Bogen (1916-2010): Vilna Ghetto 1943

Aquatint

Collection of the Yad Vashem Art Museum, Jerusalem

Inscription on the wall surrounding the sports field in the Vilna ghetto, encouraging the public to engage in sports.

Daily Life in the Vilna Ghetto: Holocaust Survivor Testimonies

Shabtai Shepsel Prushan (seated second from the right) with other factory workers, in Vilna, probably in the ghetto

Abraham Sutzkever (right) and Shmerke Kaczerginski outside their apartment in the Vilna ghetto, July 1943

Jew climbing out of a "malina" (hiding place) at 6 Strashun Street in Vilna. The underground fighters learned to shoot in this hiding place.

Two contact prints of scenes from a theater production in the Vilna ghetto

Abram Berkon's ghetto work certificate, issued by the Fliegerhorst Kommandantur (German Air Force Headquarters) in Vilna, 22 August 1941

Alexander Bogen (1916-2010): Vilna Ghetto 1943

Aktionen During the Period of Relative Stability

The Elderly Aktion

On the 17th of July 1942 following Gens's appointment as sole leader, the Jewish police arrested 84 elderly and sick Jews in their homes and a few days later handed them over to the Germans who murdered them in Ponary. There were rumours in the ghetto of additional Aktionen that had taken place against women and children. In a speech to the heads of households, Gens claimed that he had refused the orders of the Germans to take children and that no further Aktionen were expected.

Oszmiana Aktion

In Autumn 1942 the Germans decided to murder 1,500 Jews from Oszmiana. The members of the FPO (Fareynegte Partizaner Organizatsye – United Partisan Organisation) knew about the planned Aktion; they sent underground member Liza Magun to warn the Jews of Oszmiana before the Aktion, she managed to sneak into the Oszmiana Ghetto and to make contact with its residents but they did not believe her warning.

In October 1942 the Jewish police in Vilna were ordered to select victims. Once more the fear of Aktionen arose in the Vilna Ghetto. On the 27th of October, Gens spoke before a gathering of public figures in the Vilna Ghetto. He told them about the Aktion in Oszmiana and explained that he had managed to reduce the number of victims that the Germans had ordered from 1,500 to 406 elderly and sick. At the gathering Gens said:

I do not want to dirty my hands and to send my police to carry out this contemptible act but I say that it is indeed my task to sully my hands, because the Jewish people is living through its most terrible period… and it is our job to save the strong ones, the young, not just in age but in spirit, and not to be dragged along by emotions.

Ruzka Korchak, Flames in the Ashes, p126

Daily Life in the Vilna Ghetto

Aktionen During the Period of Relative Stability

The Elderly Aktion

Oszmiana Aktion

Daily Life in the Vilna Ghetto

Aktionen During the Period of Relative Stability

The Elderly Aktion

Oszmiana Aktion

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