ILUKSTE file / תיק קהילה

📰 Voices from the Past: Reports of the 1893 Commissars

These sources document the history and demographics of the Jewish community in the town. Illuxta (Ilokast) in Latvia, starting from the beginning of the Jewish settlement there under the patronage of local nobles. The documents cover the The development of religious and welfare institutions, including synagogues, a Jewish community, and aid organizations for the sick and needy, alongside statistical data on the size of the population over the years. Special emphasis is placed on Economic life of the residents, who were mainly engaged in trade and crafts, and the influence of the Hasidic movement on the community. The sources also describe the The complete destruction of the town during World War I and the bitter fate of the Jews who remained there during the Holocaust, who were murdered after the occupation of the area by the Germans. In addition, historical press clippings and statistical reports detailing the The social and administrative structure of the settlement during the period of Latvian independence.

This review is based on the attached sources and deals with the history of the Jewish community in the city Illuxta (Ilūkste, in German: IlluxtAccording to the sources, the city is located in the region Zamgale (Zemgale), which previously belonged toCourland (Kurland), in the southeast Latvia, and in 1920 became part of independent Latvia (C8-1f, C8-4f).

The beginning of settlement and the development of the community

Until the end of the 18th century, the place was privately owned and its residents were Christian Poles; during this period, there was a risk of death for a Jew who entered the city (C8-1f). The first Jews Those who settled there were two tailor brothers who came under the auspices of Polish Baroness (the governor's wife), and thanks to her efforts, Jews from nearby villages were later also allowed to enter the city (C8-1f, C8-4f). A printed text appearing in the sources states that in 1832 a building was rented for a synagogue, a butcher was employed, and a mikveh was erected, but there was no cemetery or "hevra kadisha" in the city, and the Jews buried their dead in nearby cities. Subat (Subat) andGrive (Griva) (C8-1f, C8-4f).

The community, which was largely inclined topiety, established educational and charitable institutions: in 1845 the first Beit Midrash was built, and by 1900 two more had opened; institutions such as "Talmud Torah", company "Visit to the sick" (1865), as well as associations for clothing assistance to the needy and charitable works (C8-1f, C8-4f). A handwritten note on one of the sources contains the date "1893" alongside the mention of the city (C8-5-2f).

Key figures and community rabbis

Starting in 1847, rabbis served in the community, including:

• Rabbi Avraham of Bruk: The first rabbi of the community (C8-3f).
• Rabbi Shimon Shechory: Served from 1853–1856 (C8-3f).
• Rabbi Benjamin Pinkasman: Served from 1866–1874 (C8-1f).
• Rabbi Mordechai Margaliot: The owner of the connection "Torah of the Complete Cohen", served until his death in 1884 (C8-3f, C8-4f).
• Rabbi Avraham Schlossberg: Mentioned as having served afterwards (C8-3f).

In addition to the clergy, public figures and intellectuals were active in the city: the doctors Dr. Levi Joachim andDr. Yehezkel BorisThe Zionist leader S. Erling who headed the association "Lovers of Zion" The local; and the speaker and the writer Moshe David Geschweid (C8-3f, C8-5-2f).

Demography, economy and public life

The Jewish population in the city experienced significant fluctuations: in 1897 the community numbered 842, and in 1910 their number reached a peak of 1,016 (C8-1f). Most Jews earned their living as shopkeepers and various craftsmen (C8-1f). During World War I The city was badly damaged and most of its residents left, so that in 1935 only 71 Jews remained, constituting about 5% of the total population (C8-1f, C8-4f). On the political level, in the elections to the 18th Zionist Congress in 1933, seven of the city's Jews voted for the list "The Working Land of Israel" (C8-1f, C8-9f).

Holocaust period

after Ribbentrop-Molotov Pact (August 1939), the Red Army entered Latvia in June 1940 and Soviet rule was established (C8-1f, C8-4f). With the German invasion of the Soviet Union on June 22, 1941, the city was occupied by the German army (C8-1f). According to evidence appearing in the sources, shortly after the occupation, the Jews of Iluksta were taken toDaugavpils Ghetto (Dvinsk) and were murdered in the forests (C8-1f, C8-10f). The city was liberated by the Red Army on July 29, 1944 (C8-1f).

Terms and explanations

• Zion lovers: A national Jewish movement that operated in the 19th century to encourage settlement in the Land of Israel.
• Talmud Torah: A traditional educational institution for children to study Torah and pray.
• charity: A community institution for providing interest-free loans or assistance to the needy.
• Shevra Kadisha: The community body responsible for the burial and care of the deceased.
• Visiting the sick: A community association whose goal is to provide medical assistance and support to patients.

List of sources

• C8-1f: A comprehensive historical overview of the Illuxta community, including the beginning of settlement, community institutions, the city's rabbis, and the Holocaust period.
• C8-2f: A statistical and administrative description of the city of Illuxta from 1936, including demographic data, a map of the city, and a description of economic and public institutions.
• C8-3f: A historical overview in Hebrew of the Illuxta community, including a table detailing the number of Jewish residents compared to the total population between the years 1840–1935.
• C8-4f: Information cards in English from the Beit Hatfutsot Museum that review the history of the Jewish community in Ilocos Sur, its institutions, Zionist activity, and its fate in the Holocaust.
• C8-5-1f: Reports and news from the newspaper "HaMelitz" from 1892 dealing with the life of the Jewish community and institutions in Ilocos Sur and its surroundings.
• C8-5-2f: A clipping from the newspaper "HaMelitz" from 1893, including information about the "Lovers of Zion" association and the activities of the Jewish community, with the addition of handwritten notes.
• C8-5-3f: A page from the newspaper "HaMelitz" that includes reports on Jewish life, religious institutions and public activity in the Illuxta community.

C8-1f

C8-2f

C8-3f

C8-4f

C8-5-1f

C8-5-2f

C8-5-3f

**End of Sources Section**

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