
Kenesa in Trakai

Kenesa in Vilnius
'Kenesa' is the term used by
Karaite and
Persian Jews for
synagogue. The word derives from the
Aramaic word for "assembly" (in
Hebrew, the word for synagogue is 'beit knesset').
The first kenesas in Lithuania were built in the 14th century; in
Trakai,
Biržai,
KÄ—dainiai,
Panevėžys and
Vilnius.
An early
20th century kenesa still stands in
Trakai,
Lithuania and another one in
Vilnius; both are in service.