Hamore's file / תיק , המורה

 These sources document the extensive activity of the Hebrew Teachers’ Association "Hamoreh" in Latvia and its close connection to the Jewish community in Estonia in the first half of the twentieth century (O27-1f, O27-4f). The collection includes historical photographs of Baltic Hebrew conferences, educational leadership bodies, and ceremonial events such as the opening of the Jewish People’s University in Riga (O27-10f, O27-9f, O27-8f). Alongside the visual documentation, there are official documents including postcards sent to activists, questionnaires for teachers, and certificates of appreciation attesting to extensive Zionist activity (O27-1f, O27-2f, O27-3f). Various correspondences shed light on the efforts to promote Zionist education and the Hebrew language in both countries, particularly in the Hebrew school in Estonia (O27-4f, O27-6f). Detailed name lists and administrative forms complete the picture and present the organizational structure of the educational institutions in the Baltic region (O27-7f). Altogether, the materials serve as important testimony to Jewish cultural and educational life in Latvia and Estonia between the two world wars (O27-4f, O27-9f).

The history of the Jewish communities in Latvia and Estonia in the first half of the twentieth century is characterized by close institutional cooperation, focused on nurturing national Hebrew education and joint communal organization in the Baltic region (O27-9f, O27-4f). The sources present an extensive network of ties between the organizational center in Riga and the activists and institutions in Estonia (O27-4f, O27-8f).

Leadership and Institutions in Latvia

Latvia, and particularly the city of Riga, served as a significant educational and cultural center.

• The leadership of Jewish education in Latvia: In 1923, an organized leadership body for Jewish education operated in Latvia (O27-9f).
• The Jewish People’s University in Riga: This institution was opened in a festive ceremony attended by key figures such as Dr. Y. Yafe, Dr. M. Zilkind, H. Tov, B. Gurevitz, and the Minister of Education M. Kaninish (O27-10f). Also present at the ceremony were Dr. A. Ittingen, Dr. E. Markus, Dr. H. Wasserman, and Dr. Y. Shraga (O27-10f).
• The Hebrew Teachers’ Association "Hamoreh": This organization, headquartered in Riga at 4 Smilshu Street, apartment 4, managed the educational and organizational activity (O27-1f, O27-2f). The organization issued certificates of distinction, such as the one granted to L. B. Shteltz, who was an active member of the institution from 1932 to 1936 and contributed to the building of the Hebrew colony for schoolchildren in Riga (O27-3f).
• Organizational activity: The organization held council meetings in Riga, as emerges from an invitation from 1934 sent to H. Hanutin (O27-1f). A handwritten note on the invitation stated that the agenda included "miscellaneous" and a report by Zvi Noi-Yitzhaki on a conference (O27-1f).

Development of Education and Activity in Estonia

The Jewish community in Estonia worked to establish Hebrew educational institutions in coordination with the center in Latvia.

• The Hebrew school in Estonia: A letter from November 1932 sent from Riga to Eng. Hanutin in Estonia discusses the prospects for recognition of the Hebrew school and the need to introduce a "living atmosphere" into the institution (O27-4f). The letter emphasizes the importance of the connection between the national office and the schools scattered across different cities (O27-4f).
• Active representation: Lists from 1926 mention community activists in Estonia, among them P. Goldberg, Zvi Noi, and Zvi Wasserman (O27-7f). Additional names appearing under the heading "Estonia" (sometimes in parentheses or in handwriting that is not entirely clear) include Feigelson and Vilner (O27-7f).
• Representation at conferences: At the "Hamoreh" Conference in 1929, the participant Maimon represented Estonia (O27-8f).

Baltic Cooperation and Joint Institutions

The connection between the two communities found expression in supranational frameworks:

• Presidium of the Baltic Hebrew Conference: In 1927, a joint conference was held in which representatives of Estonia (Dr. A. Beilinson and Zvi Wasserman) served in the presidium alongside representatives of Latvia (Rabbi M. Levin, Moshe Cohen, Prof. M. Lazerson, and Z. Mikhelson) and a representative of Lithuania (Dr. Ts. Feldstein) (O27-9f).
• Shared archival documentation: All the sources bear the stamp "The Historical Archive, Association of Latvian and Estonian Jews in Israel", which attests to the preservation of the heritage of the two communities as one historical unit (O27-10f, O27-1f, O27-4f).

Terms and Translations

• Ing. (אינג'): a title indicating an engineer, appearing before the name of H. Hanutin (O27-1f, O27-4f).
• "Hamoreh": the Hebrew Teachers’ Association in Latvia, which served as a center for the dissemination of the Hebrew language and culture (O27-1f, O27-3f).
• k-gm: a Latvian abbreviation appearing in postal addresses, meaning "Mr." or "sir" (O27-1f).
• Pasta tek. rēķ: current account at the postal bank, indicated on official documents (O27-1f).
• The Baltic Hebrew Conference: a regional conference bringing together activists in Hebrew culture and education from the Baltic states (O27-9f).

External Sources on the Hebrew Teachers’ Association "Hamoreh"

The documents presented on this page originate from the physical archive of the Association of Latvian and Estonian Jews in Israel.
Researchers interested in further study of the Hebrew Teachers’ Association **“Hamoreh”** and the Hebrew educational system in the Baltic countries may also consult the following external sources.

List of Sources

• O27-10f : Photograph of the opening ceremony of the Jewish People’s University in Riga and the list of distinguished guests who attended it.
• O27-1f : Postcard and handwritten report on a council meeting of "Hamoreh" in Latvia and an invitation to activists.
• O27-2f : Official questionnaire issued by the Hebrew Teachers’ Association in Latvia for collecting data on schools.
• O27-3f : Certificate of appreciation and recognition for L. B. Shteltz for her activity in Hebrew education in Latvia.
• O27-4f : Letter from Riga to Estonia (1932) on strengthening Hebrew education and the connection with Keren Hayesod.
• O27-5f : Organizational document of the "Hamoreh" Association discussing Hebrew courses and study programs.
• O27-6f : Handwritten letter in Russian (1928) describing difficulties in running a school and recruiting volunteers.
• O27-7f : Name lists of education and culture activists in Latvia and Estonia in the years 1925-1926.
• O27-8f : Group photograph of the "Hamoreh" Conference (1929) with details of representatives from Latvia and Estonia.
• O27-9f : Photographs of the leadership of education in Latvia (1923) and of the presidium of the Baltic Hebrew Conference (1927).

O27-1f

O27-2f

O27-3f

O27-4f

O27-5f

O27-6f

O27-7f

O27-8f

O27-9f

O27-10f

** end of Hamoreh files **

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