Jewish history and culture were in focus at the most recent BMI Alumni gathering – a lively lecture and

discussion led by Simonas Gurevičius, the executive director of the Jewish Community in Lithuania. More

than 30 alumni joined the event on April 29, exploring valuable insights related to work, family and

personal relations from the Jewish people’s heritage of over 5,000 years.

Although Jews have been present in Lithuania for more than seven centuries, many people today are not

very familiar with their accumulated wisdom, Mr. Gurevičius noted. They are the “people of the book”, the

Tora, and base all that they do on five core values: family, memory, Israel, the Tora and the Hebrew

language. “Entrepreneurs, too, can benefit and be more successful in life if they follow the Jewish rules for

everyday life,” he told the group of business people.

Family is a cornerstone in Jewish life, you’ll never find a Jew without family. And children are at the centre

of family life, he said. “For us, the family is always the most valuable thing,” Mr. Gurevičius explained. “Why

do we raise children? Not for taking care of us as they grow up, but so that they will raise their children

with the same love as we have shown them.” Each child is cherished as a unique contribution to the family.

And each is taught that they are chosen to achieve something in life, that when you work more your

achievements are bigger. This approach gives good results.

But keeping one’s limits in mind is also very important, he stressed: “It often may seem that you can do

anything, your company has reached the heights, and you can afford anything you want. In order to always

remember the great and powerful one above us, Jewish boys and men wear the kipa on their head - the

highest point of their body.

As a pleasant finale to the evening of discussion, participants were invited to continue exchanging ideas

informally over a glass of wine.