Jewish heritage tour in Merkine, Lithuania

Jewish guide Yulik Gurvitch from "Jerulita Travel" company recalls his Mexican tourists whose roots come from a small town of Merkine, Meretch in Yiddish. By the end of the XIX century, about 2000 Jews lived in Merkine, which made up 73% of the total population of the town. It was a brilliant Jewish community in Meretch, one of the most successful in Lithuania. While walking around the market square Yulik is telling the history of the settlement going back to the 14th century. You will also see the site of the three shuls in Meretch and the Jewish school nearby. Jewish People’s Bank in the center of the town, a candy factory, numerous Jewish stores, shops, and workshops – all this made up the economic and commercial life of the shtetl. In the old Jewish cemetery of Merkine you will learn how to read the inscription on the old gravestones. We will visit the Holocaust memorial and pay tribute to the Jewish victims of Nazi occupation. We will finish our visit to Merkine-Meretch at a very picturesque site, at the ancient mound, which offers a magnificent view of the confluence of the two rivers Neman and Merkys. 0:05 Tourists from Mexico and little town Merkine (Meretch) 2:48 At the Market square 4:15 The Jewish quarter of Meretch 6:28 How did the Jews of Merkinе earn their living? 7:37 From the general history of Merkine 9:04 Zionist activity in the shtetl 10:12 How one can read the inscriptions on the old Jewish gravestones 13:56 At the massacre place of the Jews of Meretch 16:20 Summarizing our visit to Merkine-Meretch ABOUT OUR CHANNEL: Jerulita Travel is a team of professional guides and travel admins. Our new initiative is to share knowledge about the Jewish and general heritage and history and to undust the past not only of the big cities but also the smaller towns and shtetls of Lithuania. 🌍 http://jerulita.lt 📸 Instagram: instagram.com/jerulita 🐦 Twitter:   / jerulitatravel   📕 Facebook:   / jerulita   🧑‍💼 LinkedIn:   / jeru