Eastern European Jews

Jews digging a trench in Ponar forest, in which they were later buried, after being shot

Science confirms the incredible story of Lithuania’s Holocaust escape tunnel

Culture

More than 70 years ago, a group of Jewish prisoners dug a tunnel using mostly their hands and spoons to escape their Nazi captors. A team of archaeologists has recently discovered the tunnel in Ponar forest outside of Vilnius, Lithuania. The discovery is the subject of a new documentary.

For the Jewish ritual of Kaparot, a person's sins are symbolically transferred to a chicken, and then the chicken is slaughtered.

My sins are cleared for the year, but the chicken wasn’t so lucky

Religion
Tell us about your experience accessing The World

We want to hear your feedback so we can keep improving our website, theworld.org. Please fill out this quick survey and let us know your thoughts (your answers will be anonymous). Thanks for your time!

We respect your time, attention and privacy

This is a news website, not a click casino. We do NOT employ deceptive behaviors, display annoying ads or use third party cookies and trackers to monetize your visit or help advertisers track you across the internet.

Simply, we ask that you would consider a donation to support the journalism we produce every weekday. Thank you.