Rezekne file (2) / תיק קהילה

These sources paint a broad picture of Jewish life in Eastern Europe, focusing on the regions of Latvia, Belarus and Russia. The collection includes Statistical data Detailed information on the economic situation of Jewish craftsmen in Tsarist Russia, alongside Biographical lexicon Documenting rabbis and communities around the world. Personal testimonies and journalistic articles shed light on The Zionist Movement, the activities of the Betar movement and the impact of the Holocaust on Latvian Jewry. These documents combine Demographic research and private memories that illustrate the cultural, religious, and social fabric of the communities. The sources emphasize the Community resilience in the face of political and economic changes throughout the 20th century. Together, they form a historical mosaic that commemorates The Heritage of European Jewry on its various aspects.

Below is a comprehensive and detailed overview of the community Razkane (Ržiča) and its surroundings, as well as references to additional communities in Latvia and Estonia, as reflected in archival documents.

Demographics and community growth

The city Razkane (In Russian: Rezhitsa; in German: Rositten), located in the province To Italy In Latvia, the Jewish population experienced a significant increase during the 19th century. In 1847, the community numbered only 542 Jews, but by 1897 their number had jumped to 6,478, constituting about 60% of the city's total population (C114-14f, C114-15f). In 1851, Jewish merchants were granted permission to reside in the new part of the city, except in the immediate vicinity of the Russian Orthodox Church (C114-15f). After the establishment of the independent Latvian Republic (1918–1940), the number of Jews decreased: in 1920 there were 4,148 Jews (41.5% of the population), and in 1935 there were 3,342 Jews (25.4%) (C114-15f).

Rabbinical leadership and religious institutions

Religious life in the city was vibrant and led by a series of prominent rabbis. Rabbi Chaim Lubachy He was described in sources as having shown extraordinary devotion to the community in difficult times of war and revolution, especially during conquests and changes of government (C114-11-2f). Another prominent rabbi was Rabbi Israel Leib Doshiawitz, who served as rabbi of Rzeczyce (C114-10f). The family from Left a significant mark on the city; Rabbi Yaakov Mann He was born in Rezice in 1846 and served as a rabbi there, and his descendants, including Rabbi Yona Mann, continued his journey (C114-12f). A yeshiva operated in the city "Beit Yosef" and various charitable institutions (C114-15f). The sources also mention the Rabbi Avraham Bezalel Epstein Who served in the city Rebel (Tallinn) againEstonia (C114-10f).

Education and culture

The education system in Razkaneh was diverse and included institutions in Hebrew and Yiddish. One of the main institutions was The Jewish Government Gymnasium In Razkana, which operated between 1921 and 1940 and recorded 388 students in its lists (C114-23f, C114-5f). The curriculum in the gymnasium and elementary schools was influenced by the ideological struggles between theYiddishists toScoresWhile in some schools the language of instruction was Russian or Yiddish, other schools gradually switched to Hebrew (C114-1f, C114-2f, C114-3f). The city also had kindergartens, libraries such as the "Peace be upon you" and club Bialik (C114-1f, C114-15f).

Economic structure and trade

Most of the Jews of Rezkna were engaged in trade and crafts. Statistics from 1893 indicate that there were 255 Jewish craftsmen (masters) and 4 assistants in the city (C114-15f). The main crafts were clothing, leatherworking and woodworking (C114-15f). The sources indicate that Jewish craftsmen sometimes suffered from a shortage of raw materials and fierce competition (C114-15f). In addition, Jewish-owned pharmacies and Jewish doctors operating in the city are mentioned (C114-20f).

Organization of medical and welfare services

A medical-sanitary organization ("Vrachnebno-sanitarnaya organizatsiya") operated in Barzkane, providing assistance to the Jewish population in the city and surrounding communities, such as Lucin (Ludza), Varkalyan (Varklany) andFrailey (Preili) (C114-17f). The organization included a committee for assistance to the needy that provided medical assistance, free or discounted medicines, free breakfasts for students of the **Talmud Torah**, and the distribution of clothes and shoes (C114-17f, C114-20f). The city had a **Zemstvo** hospital with 40 beds, but Jews rarely used its services (C114-20f).

Youth movements and political activity

Political life in Razkaneh was turbulent, with extensive activity by youth movements and organizations. "The Young Guard" was very strong in the city, alongside movements like "Beitar", "The Pioneer" and **"Agudat Yisrael"** (C114-1f, C114-2f, C114-3f). The sources describe the struggles between the various movements for the hearts of the youth, and the agricultural training that the young people underwent in preparation for immigrating to the Land of Israel (C114-1f, C114-4f). There was also activity by theBond and of socialist-Zionist currents (C114-3f, C114-9f).

Prominent figures and events

• Ida Chechik: A famous dancer from the Moscow Ballet ("The Bolshoi"), who was born in Razgane (C114-11-6f).
• Hirsch Atkin: A prominent educational and cultural activist in Latvia, who studied at the Gymnasium in Rzeszkana and worked extensively to promote Jewish schools in Yiddish (C114-11-7f).
• Fire in the gymnasium: A handwritten note on a file containing student lists states that in 1924 a fire occurred in the gymnasium building (C114-23f).

The Holocaust and the Destruction of the Community

With the occupation of the city by the Nazis in the summer of 1941, the destruction of the community began. Most of the Jews of Rezkna were murdered in a nearby forest shortly after the occupation (C114-15f). Archive photos show Jews fleeing the city during the war (C114-22f). A 1959 census showed a very small Jewish presence in the city, and in 1960 the baking of matzot was banned and only one synagogue remained (C114-15f). In 1970, the number of Jews in the city was estimated at about 250 (C114-15f).

Concepts and terms from the sources

• Zemstvo: A local government institution in Imperial Russia that was responsible, among other things, for health and welfare services (C114-20f).
• Paramedic: A physician's assistant with practical training, who was very common in the medical system in Jewish communities (C114-20f).
• Korobka: A communal tax on kosher meat and candles, which was used to finance community and welfare institutions (C114-20f).
• Bogatdelnya: A welfare institution, usually a shelter for the poor or the elderly (C114-20f).
• Goy: In interviews in the sources, the term is sometimes used to describe non-Jewish educational institutions ("a Gentile school") (C114-2f).

List of sources

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