הקתדרה ע"ש סולי ילין לחקר יהדות ליטא ומזרח אירופה

The Solly Yellin Chair in Lithuanian and East European Jewish Culture

Solly Yellin was born and raised in the thriving Jewish cultural world of pre-war Vilna. At the age of 18, Yellin moved to South Africa but these early years made a deep impression on him and he maintained a lifelong devotion to Jewish education and culture. He served in many public positions in Jewish community of South Africa including Chairman and thereafter President of the South African Board of Jewish Education and Chairman of the United Communal Fund. He also played a central role in cementing ties between the South African Jewish community and the State of Israel. A proud Zionist who was named honorary Vice-President for life of the South African Zionist Federation, he ultimately fulfilled his lifelong dream and moved to Israel in hi last years.

The Solly Yellin Chair in Lithuanian and East European Jewry is both an expression of Yellin’s belief in the value of Jewish scholarship and extension of his endless pride and joy in eastern European Jewish culture. The Chair strives to encourage advanced research into the achievements of Jews who lived in the region.