Varu's file / תיק – וארו

These sources document the history of the Jewish community in the city of Võru in Estonia, from its establishment by discharged soldiers in the 19th century until its destruction in the Holocaust. The collection includes historical surveys, demographic data on the number of residents, and nominal lists detailing the names and addresses of community members. The documents describe the rich cultural and religious life, including Zionist activity, the establishment of a synagogue and social clubs, alongside an analysis of the economic and professional situation of the residents. In addition, information is provided about the fate of the community during World War II, when some Jews fled deep into the Soviet Union while others were murdered by the Germans and local collaborators. Exchanges of letters between organizations and descendants testify to later efforts to preserve the memory of the community and to research its family roots.

The Jewish community of Estonia, and in particular the community in the city of Võru (Voru / Werro), presents a fascinating story of growth from military service, cultural flourishing under a unique autonomy, and a tragic end in the Holocaust. Below is a detailed historical overview based on the sources:

The Beginning of the Community and Its Formation in the 19th Century

The roots of the Jewish community in the city of Võru, located on the shores of Lake Tamula (Tamula) in southeastern Estonia, lie in the second half of the 19th century (E7-3f, E7-4f). The community was organized in the 1860s by Cantonists – Jewish soldiers who had been taken in childhood for service in the army of Tsar Nicholas I (E7-3f, E7-4f, E7-6f). In 1864 there were 29 Cantonists in active service in the city (E7-3f).

Over time the community grew, and in 1875 a synagogue was established thanks to the contribution of Yosef Yudikin (E7-3f, E7-4f). Before that, the Jews prayed in a rented house and established a cemetery (E7-4f). In 1881 the community reached a relative peak of 176 people, constituting about 6.5% of the city’s population (E7-3f, E7-4f). However, in the late 1880s, due to difficulties in obtaining permanent residence permits, significant migration of families began, mainly to the United States (E7-3f, E7-4f).

The Period of World War I and the Transition to Independence

During World War I, Võru became a transit station for Jewish refugees expelled from Lithuania and Courland (E7-1f, E7-3f). The local community mobilized to help, provided kosher food for Jewish soldiers serving in the area (about 250 soldiers), and even arranged holiday meals for Passover (E7-3f, E7-4f).

In 1917, a Jewish representative, M. Goldberg, was elected for the first time to the city council. Thanks to his activity, several council decisions that harmed Jewish rights were canceled (E7-3f, E7-5f). With the establishment of Estonian independence in 1918, the Jews enjoyed broad cultural autonomy (E7-3f, E7-4f).

Community Life Between the Two World Wars

During this period, the Jewish population in the city declined; in 1939 about 55 Jews remained (about 25 families) (E7-1f, E7-3f). Nevertheless, cultural and social life was rich:

• Economy: most Jews were engaged in trade (textiles, leather), crafts (tailors, hatters, shoemakers) and liberal professions (E7-1f, E7-3f, E7-4f). The economic situation was generally stable, and the community operated a mutual aid fund called "Kupat Gemilut Hasadim" (E7-1f, E7-4f).
• Education and Culture: a cultural club named "Achdut" was established that included a library and held courses in Hebrew and Yiddish (E7-3f, E7-4f). A dramatic circle also operated that staged plays in Yiddish (E7-1f, E7-3f). Children studied in a general Estonian school and completed Jewish studies in the afternoon (E7-1f, E7-4f).
• Politics and Youth: the community was very involved in the Zionist movement. Parties such as the General Zionists, Socialist Zionists, and Revisionists (Hatzohar) were active there (E7-3f, E7-4f). The Scouts movement was active and maintained contacts with Jewish scouts in Latvia (E7-1f, E7-3f). In 1938 a group of hachshara agricultural training was even organized on an estate in Sõmerpalu (E7-3f, E7-4f).

The sources provide detailed lists of residents and their addresses, not only in Võru but also in other settlements such as Kuressaare, Haapsalu, Paide, Tapa, and others (E7-2f, E7-5f).

• The need for a place of prayer: the Jewish community in Võru, which formed around a group of Cantonists (Jewish soldiers who served in the Tsar’s army) from the 1860s onward, suffered from a lack of resources and permits to establish permanent institutions (E7-3f, E7-4f). Therefore, the Jews were forced to conduct their prayers in a rented house (E7-3f, E7-4f).
• Construction of the building: in 1875, Yosef Yudikin built the synagogue building and donated it as a contribution to the community (E7-3f, E7-4f).
• Importance of the institution: the establishment of the synagogue provided the community with a religious and social anchor. The place became the center of Jewish life, where the ritual slaughterer (who also served as the cantor) operated and where the boys of the community were prepared for the Bar Mitzvah ceremony (E7-1f, E7-4f).

List of Sources

• E7-1f : Interview with Moshe Yudikin from 1961 about the history of the Jewish community in Võru.
• E7-2f : List of names of Jewish residents and their addresses in Võru and other settlements in Estonia.
• E7-3f : Detailed historical overview in Hebrew about the Võru community, including population data and cultural activity.
• E7-4f : Historical summary in English about the Võru community, from its beginnings until the Holocaust period.
• E7-5f : Correspondence of the Association of Latvian and Estonian Jews regarding community representative M. Goldberg and resident lists.

E7-1f

E7-2f

E7-3f

E7-4f

E7-5f

** end of Varu files **

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