Daugavpils file (5) / תיק קהילה

✡️  Invitation to a Bar Mitzvah in Daugavpils, 1937

Sources featured includeHistorical documents, correspondence and press clippingsDocumenting the life of the Jewish community in Latvia, with an emphasis on the cityDaugavpils (Dovinsk)and its surroundings. The collection combines personal and official items, such asInvitations to community events, postcards sent in the mail, and membership certificatesIn Zionist organizations such as "HaTahiya" and "Hashomer Hatzair". The press clippings in various languages ​​reveal thePolitical tensionsof the period, including reports of arrests of youth movement activists on suspicion of communist activity. In addition, later materials deal withIn genealogical and historical researchwho seeks to preserve the memory of the Jews of Taglia and Courland for future generations. The collection of sources provides a broad glimpse into the culture, education, and spiritual life ofLatvian JewryThroughout the twentieth century.

Historical and demographic background of the region

AreaTo ItalyDescribed as the "third province" of Latvia, which developed under eastern (Polish and Russian) influence for about 300 years (C35-31f). In the second half of the 18th century and early 19th century, various national groups came to the region seeking security fromPogromsand a better life, including Jews, Russians, Poles, andEstonianswho came from the north (C35-31f). According to the 1920 census, which was conducted after the establishment of the independent state and included the districtsDaugavpils,Razkane(Rezekne) andLodz(Ludza), the Jews were part of the ethnic mosaic alongside Latvians, Russians, Belarusians,Estoniansand Germans (C35-31f).

In the cityDaugavpils(Dvinsk), which was a center for the trade in grain, flax, and timber, significant demographic changes occurred in the Jewish population:

• In 1898, the community numbered 32,400 Jews (C35-34f).
• In 1913 the number rose to 56,000 (C35-34f).
• In 1935, under the rule of independent Latvia, the population numbered approximately 11,106 Jews (C35-34f).
• In 1970, about 2,000 Jews and one synagogue remained in the city (C35-34f).

Spiritual leadership and prominent figures

The community in Devinsk was known for its spiritual leaders, led byRabbi Meir Simcha HaCohen(1843–1926), known as theHappy light" (C35-33f, C35-34f).

• Rabbi Meir Simcha HaCohen: Born in Latriminac (Vilna), he became famous as an "iluy" already in his youth and served as the rabbi of Dvinsk for 40 years (C35-34f). He authored the books "Happy light"On Maimonides and"Wisdom Duration" (C35-33f, C35-34f). A handwritten note on a photocopy of a book stated that he was a "holy man" and his home was open to all (C35-33f). In 1906 he refused an offer to serve as rabbi in Jerusalem due to the entreaties of his community in Devinsk (C35-34f).
• Rabbi Moshe Avigdor Amiel(1883–1946): Born in Porozova, he served as rabbi in Swinzen and Garaivo, and in 1936 was elected Chief Rabbi of Tel Aviv (C35-35f). He was known as a thinker and halachic authority (C35-35f).
• Rabbi Yechiel Yaakov Weinberg(1885–1966): Author of the book "Fire remains", was born in Lithuania and served as a rabbi in Biloisk before moving to Germany (C35-35f).

Youth movements and political activity

Public and political life among Jewish youth in Latvia was very active:

• The Young Guard: A Jewish scout movement that was active in Daugavpils. In May 1927, the movement celebrated its four-year anniversary with a festive ball held at the "City Club" (C35-21f). A newspaper article (printed in Yiddish) reported onThe arrest of 150 members of the movementIn Daugavpils during a night walk in the forest in April 1930, on charges of holding an illegal assembly (C35-4f, C35-5f, C35-6f, C35-86f).
• Zion Youth: A Zionist-Socialist party that was active in the region. The archive contains invitations (printed in Yiddish with handwritten entries) to general meetings of the party in Daugavpils in 1921 and 1926 (C35-13f, C35-2f).
• Beitar: In Latvia, the first branch of the movement was established byZeev Jabotinsky(C35-29f).
• Maccabi: A sports association that was active in Daugavpils (C35-29f).

Education and Culture under the Policy of "Russification"

The sources describe a complex cultural struggle during the period of Russian rule (in the 19th century). In the schools of Latgalia, a policy was enforcedRussificationStrict: students were forbidden to speak their language at school, and classes were conducted only in Russian (C35-31f). At the same time, the Jewish community maintained its own educational institutions; the archive contains a postcard sent to a teacher inJewish high schoolInRazkane(C35-1f).

Post-war and Holocaust Documentation

The sources include later documentation of attempts to preserve the memory of the community:

• In a letter from 2002 (written in Russian), he statesJoseph Rochko(Joseph Rocko) from Daugavpils because he is collecting materials about the Holocaust in Latgale, including lists of pre-war Jews and information about survivors from the familyHat(C35-28f, C35-35f).
• Letter from 1997 fromAlexander Paigemanis(Aleksandrs Feigmanis) from Riga is engaged in genealogical and historical research on the Jews of Latgale and Courland (C35-30f). Peigmanis notes in his letter (in English) that there is a lack of documents and books on Latgale Jewry (except for Dvinsk and a few memoirs) and emphasizes the need for research in archives in Belarus (C35-30f).
• The stamp that appears on many documents indicates the name ofShlomo Khuralianchik(Shlomo Khurliandschik) from Netanya, who (apparently) wrote or submitted materials to the archive (C35-28f, C35-10f).

Terms and concepts from the sources

Below is an explanation of terms that appear in the sources that are not common in modern Hebrew or are local terms:

• Latgallia/Latgale: A region of land in eastern Latvia, known in sources as the "Third District" (C35-31f).
• Russification: Policy of the Russian government to impose Russian language and culture on minority groups (C35-31f).
• Šnores: Narrow strips of land in the rural agricultural system in Latgale (C35-31f).
• Sipach: A derogatory nickname for a Latvian who has undergone a process of Russification (C35-31f).
• Burlak: A nickname for a Latvian who left home to work elsewhere (C35-31f).
• Zheivats: A derogatory nickname attached to immigrants or newcomers to the area (C35-31f).
• Director: A nickname for women who taught the basics of the Catholic religion in hiding during the period of the prohibition of books (C35-31f).

List of sources

• C35-1f: A postcard from 1928 sent to a teacher at the Jewish High School in Razkanah, discussing a teachers' conference.
• C35-2f: A printed invitation in Yiddish to a general meeting of the "Youth of Zion" party (association) in Daugavpils.
• C35-3f: A newspaper clipping in Russian dealing with legal proceedings against Jews and the activities of the "Hashomer Hatzair" movement.
• C35-4f: A cartoon and report in Yiddish on the arrest of 150 members of the "HaShomer Hatzair" movement in Daugavpils.
• C35-5f: An article in a Yiddish newspaper reporting on the mass arrest of 150 members of the "HaShomer Hatzair" movement in Daugavpils.
• C35-6f: A detailed newspaper report in Yiddish about the police raid on a group of "Hashomer Hatzair" scouts in the forest.
• C35-7f: A fragment of a document that includes the stamp of the "Revival" organization in Daugavpils and handwritten notes.
• C35-8f: A Yiddish newspaper clipping about assistance to the Daugavpils community and an official document of the Jewish community in the city from 1946.
• C35-9f: Zionist "Shekel" certificate (year 13) issued to Moshe ben Shmuel Kalman in the city of Daugavpils.
• C35-10f: A handwritten document in Yiddish and Hebrew that includes the archive stamp and mentions the activities of the "Hatahiya" organization.
• C35-11f: Temporary membership card of the "Revival" organization in Daugavpils (Dvinsk).
• C35-12f: A postcard from 1929 with a handwritten message concerning the branch of the "Revival" organization in Daugavpils.
• C35-13f: A printed invitation in Yiddish to a general meeting of the "Youth of Zion" party in Daugavpils in 1926.
• C35-14f: A handwritten note in Yiddish containing an invitation or message from April 1927 in Daugavpils.
• C35-15f: A multi-page handwritten document in Yiddish dealing with the activities of the "Hatahiya" organization.
• C35-16f: A handwritten letter or note in Yiddish with the stamp of the Archives of the Association of Latvian and Estonian Emigrants.
• C35-17f: A fragment of a document that includes a stamp of the "Hebrew Scouts' Association" in Israel.
• C35-18f: Festive invitation to the Bar Mitzvah of Binyamin Dov in Daugavpils in 1937 at the Moshe Tzin Minyan.
• C35-19f: A business card of Jacob Wittenberg from Daugavpils and a greeting postcard for Rosh Hashanah.
• C35-20f: Printed greeting cards for Rosh Hashanah, one of them signed by Moshe Barzin.
• C35-21f: Invitation to the four-year jubilee ball of the "HaShomer Hatzair" movement in Daugavpils in May 1927.
• C35-22f: Public transport timetable (buses and steamers) between Daugavpils and Pogoļanė from 1934.
• C35-23f: A detailed program in Latvian and Hebrew for a scout gathering of the "HaShomer Hatzair" movement in 1931.
• C35-24f: Postcard with a handwritten address addressed to Ponebez, Lithuania.
• C35-25f: Business card and advertisement of the goldsmith J. L. Blooms in Daugavpils and a letter in German from 1932.
• C35-26f: Postcard with a handwritten message in Yiddish dealing with the activities of the "Revival" movement in Daugavpils (1929).
• C35-27f: Remains of documents and seals of Jewish youth movements in Daugavpils.
• C35-28f: Correspondence from 2002 by Josif Rochko of Daugavpils dealing with research into the Holocaust and the rescue of the Hat family.
• C35-29f: Historical overview and photos of pioneers and Zionist movements (Beitar, Maccabi, Tzeirei Zion) in Latvia.
• C35-30f: A letter in English from Alexander Peigemanis, who is engaged in genealogical and historical research on Tagliatelle Judaism.
• C35-31f: Chapters from the book "The Emerging Nation" dealing with the history, society, and policy of Russification in Latgalia.
• C35-32f: Information pages from the Dictionary of Toponymy (Place Names) of Eastern Latvia by Valdis Zeps.
• C35-33f: Excerpts from the book "Oheli Shem" including a biography of Rabbi Meir Simcha HaCohen and notes in English.
• C35-34f: A biographical article on Rabbi Meir Simcha HaCohen, including demographic data on the Devinsk community.
• C35-35f: Description of a course on rabbinical thinkers, including biographies of Rabbis Weinberg, Amiel, and the Cohen of Devinsk.
• C35-37f: A letter in German from 1983 dealing with photographic documentation, maps, and statistics of the city of Daugavpils.

C35-1f

C35-2f

C35-3f

C35-4f

C35-5f

C35-6f

C35-7f

C35-8f

C35-9f

C35-10f

C35-11f

C35-12f

C35-13f

C35-14f

C35-15f

C35-16f

C35-17f

C35-18f

C35-19f

C35-20f

C35-21f

C35-22f

C35-23f

C35-24f

C35-25f

C35-26f

C35-27f

C35-28f

C35-29f

C35-30f

C35-31f

C35-32f

C35-33f

C35-34f

C35-35f

C35-37f

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