On December 21, the Lithuanian tabloid Vakaro Zionios ran a front page photo of Lithuania’s Chabad representative, Rabbi Sholom Ber Krinsky, with the headline “The Jews” and in smaller letters, "see no need to pay their social security taxes."

The image and the headline were misleadingly placed for maximum effect, conveying the impression that a visibly religious Jew, Rabbi Krinsky, is the worst offender in this regard. In fact, readers who bother to peruse the article will find that 10 companies, among them businesses including Western Union, are the most delinquent in their tax payments.

We condemn this news item as a vicious, transparent act of anti-Semitism. We implore readers and watchdog agencies to vigorously protest this dangerous provocation.

More importantly, we condemn the lack of any response by the  Jewish Community of Lithuania, its officers, and their related supportive Jewish organizations. They have made themselves conspicuous in their stunning silence.

The indifference of individuals who sit at the helm of the well-funded Jewish Community of Lithuania, meant to serve the Jewish people, begs scrutiny by the media, the broader Jewish community and the government of Lithuania.