Vilnius Jewish Library

For over three decades, I devoted my life to supporting Jewish culture, memory, and continuity. As a non-Jew, I did this not out of obligation, but מתוך הכרה — מתוך הכרת הטוב (hakarat hatov), a recognition of what is good and worth preserving in the world.

This work included founding what became the first Jewish public library in Lithuania since 1943, and intervening in 2009 to prevent the Vilna Ghetto Library from being sold off and lost. That sacred place now has a future, and that matters deeply to me.

Over the years, I gave what I could—time, energy, and personal resources totaling well over $100,000. I also faced years of threats from antisemitic groups. I never stepped back. Not because it was easy, but because it was necessary.

All of this was done while quietly living with ADHD, PTSD, and autism. Later, in 2015, I was diagnosed with a serious and incurable lung disease. Even then, I continued my work for as long as I physically could.

Eventually, declining health and financial reality forced me to stop.

I am sharing this now not to revisit the past, but to speak honestly about the present.

At this stage, I am facing significant financial hardship, including difficulty covering basic daily needs. This is not something I ever expected to write, but circumstances have changed.

If anyone in the community—individuals or institutions—has guidance, connections, or the ability to help in any way, I would be grateful.

If my efforts over the years reflected even a small measure of tzedakah or tikkun olam, then I trust that those values still live in the world—not as ideas, but as actions.

With respect,

Wyman Brent

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More than ever, the worldwide Jewish community needs allies. I stood by the Jewish community for 33 years. I founded the first Jewish public library in Lithuania since 1943. I saved the Vilna Ghetto Library from sale and destruction. I spent at least 100,000 dollars out of my own pocket. I received years of death threats for my work as a gentile on behalf of Jewish causes.

I spoke at the Simon Wiesenthal Center. I spoke at an Association of Jewish Libraries conference. I was thanked for my work by Nobel Peace Prize winner Elie Wiesel. I was the final speaker at a ceremony honoring Righteous Gentiles in Vilna. The Israeli ambassador thanked me. I was interviewed by The Forward. I was interviewed by Jewish newspapers, magazines, websites.

People and organizations would gladly answer my emails when I asked nothing for myself. How many dollars was I given for decades of work? Zero. I asked for nothing and nobody offered anything even when I had to live every night in a hostel for more than 18 months because I didn`t have money for anything else. All of my money was going into the library I founded.

Then when I and my family finally needed help, the overwhelming majority of individuals and organizations did not even answer my emails and messages. I had been called a hero, mensch and even Righteous Gentile when I needed nothing. Now I treated like a lowly goy and treyf. What part of Tikkun Olam and Tzedakah is that? Maybe somebody can explain.

Here is where I am now. I am living in a tiny studio that costs 360 euros a month. I am fine with staying here. Just that I have so little money that I barely eat anything. I am 6 feet 2 inches tall and barely weigh 120 pounds. It is not that I hate food, but can`t afford much of it.

I am asking some individuals or organization to help me to the tune of 360 euros a month for the next six months. I have started working as a songwriter. I am now signed with three music agencies. Just that it takes time until the first money starts coming in. Will anybody help?

https://www.gofundme.com/f/california-to-vilna-a-gentile-and-a-jewish-library?utm_id=97758_v0_s00_e0_tv0&fbclid=IwY2xjawRXQI5leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEet9MkJosSPkmieb7gxhQlgj996yxKVSd9dATJ4p2c4NRiCx0uT9fFwiRNjNI_aem_GkM1NFsbB1fwJlMqTzLBPg

Donate to California to Vilna: A gentile and a Jewish library, organized by Wyman Brent Hi, my name is Wyman Brent. I am the American gentile founder of the V… Wyman Brent needs your support for California to Vilna: A gentile and a Jewish library

I was thinking about something involving time earlier. The year 2026 is important in more than one way to me. It was the year I was signed by three music agencies. It is also 36 years since I first visited Europe. It is 18 years since I last lived in the USA. The Vilnius Jewish Library I founded will be 15 this year. Glenn will become a teenager this year. On top of all that, I will turn 64. Just like in the song by The Beatles.

The American Civil War ended on April 9, 1865. My great grandmother was alive during the war. She held me on her lap when I was a baby. I wonder how many others are alive who connected with someone who was living in 1865.

I am reaching out and asking for help for my family. There is finally some light at the end of the tunnel thanks to my songwriting. However, we are still very much at risk of losing our home until my career takes off.

Donate to California to Vilna: A gentile and a Jewish library, organized by Wyman Brent Hi, my name is Wyman Brent. I am the American gentile founder of the V… Wyman Brent needs your support for California to Vilna: A gentile and a Jewish library

https://www.gofundme.com/f/california-to-vilna-a-gentile-and-a-jewish-library

Will you donate to help me and my family in our time of need? I spent 32 years of unpaid work promoting Jewish life and culture. I did not let the death threats stop me. I did not let my failing health stop me.

Donate to California to Vilna: A gentile and a Jewish library, organized by Wyman Brent Hi, my name is Wyman Brent. I am the American gentile founder of the V… Wyman Brent needs your support for California to Vilna: A gentile and a Jewish library

This American gentile had the idea to found the first Jewish public library in Lithuania since 1943. That library will be 15 years old this year. And it has been 17 years since I saved the Vilna Ghetto Library from sale and destruction.

Donate to California to Vilna: A gentile and a Jewish library, organized by Wyman Brent Hi, my name is Wyman Brent. I am the American gentile founder of the V… Wyman Brent needs your support for California to Vilna: A gentile and a Jewish library

Here is my latest song. My songwriting career is moving forward.

My Honeybee, by Brentango track by Brentango

I am trying to understand something. I am a gentile. I spent 32 years of my life doing unpaid work to combat anti-Semitism and to promote Jewish life and culture. I spent at least 100,000 dollars out of my own pocket. I received years of death threats for my work in LIthuania. I founded the first Jewish public library in that nation since 1943. My library will be 15 years old this year. In 2009, I saved the Vilna Ghetto Library from sale and destruction. I have stood up face to face against neo-Nazis in the USA, Lithuania and Germany.

Let me be extremely clear. I know that nobody owes me or my family anything. It does not matter that my family is at risk of losing our home. It does not matter that our son has special needs. It does not matter that I have an incurable lung disease.

Just that I was praised for years for my work. I was interviewed left and right. I spoke at an Association of Jewish Libraries conference. I spoke at the Simon Wiesenthal Center. I was the final speaker at a ceremony honoring Righteous Gentiles in Vilna. Nobel Peace Prize winner Elie Wiesel thanked me for my service. Everybody would answer my emails and messages when I asked for nothing for myself.

Now my family needs help. I have reached out to somewhwere around 150 wealthy Jewish individuals, synagogues and Jewish associations. The vast majority never responded, even those that would answer my emails when I asked for nothing for myself. Two Jewish associations did respond saying they would not help me because I am not Jewish. One of them had previously praised my work.

Do not tell me about rules, regulations, bureaucracy and cost benefits analysis. I did not let any of that stop me even though I received zero financial benefit. Plus, I had to live every night in a hostel for more than a year and a half. I had no money for anything more. Tell me what benefit there was to spending night after night in an uncomfortable living situation where I had no peace and no privacy.

Yes, I know nobody asked me to do any of it, and certainly not for 32 years. However, they sure did praise me for year after year and decade afte decade. Then when I finally reached out for help, almost everybody pretended that I do not exist. Tell me how that would make you feel. Maybe someone can tell me why it is justified that almost nobody responds other than to tell me they won`t help me since I am not Jewish.

Again, it is painfully clear that my family will not receive the assistance we need. I simply seek for understanding of why those which praised me then pretended that I do not exist. What part of Tzedakah or Tikkun Olam is that?

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I am on the verge of becoming homeless. I have reached out over and over and over again to Jews, Jewish organizations and synagogues in many nations. Still waiting for help. Guess it is not going to come. This gentile spent 32 years risking my life and spending tens of thousands to help the worldwide Jewish community. I received lots of praise. Praise is a lot cheaper than actually helping someone. Keep me in your thoughts and prayers if I become homeless. Send me some good wishes.

I want to wish everyone a wonderful time meeting 2026!