(6) Liepaja file / תיק קהילה

✡️ Dora Landman's ID card from Libya

This collection of documents documents the The personal and public life of the Jewish community in Latvia, especially in the city Liepaja, during the first half of the twentieth century. Sources include Official certificates Such as marriage certificates, military documents, school certificates and membership cards in Jewish cultural organizations. A significant portion of the material is devoted to For Zionist activity, which contains letters and receipts from the Keren Hayesod and Keren Kayemet LeIsrael Foundation attesting to donations and the building of the country. In addition, there are Shipping and logistics documents indicating migration or mobility of individuals outside the country. The collection combines various languages, including Hebrew, Yiddish, German and Latvian, and reflects the cultural complexity of the period. In conclusion, the sources provide A broad historical perspective On the social fabric and organizational vigor of Latvian Jewry before the Holocaust.

History of the Jewish Community inLatvia, and especially in the city Libau (LibauToday Liepaja – Liepaja), are reflected through documents and notes found in the archive, which outline the mosaic of the community's life from the beginning of the 18th century to the end of the 20th century. The information in the printed text indicates that the first documentary data on Jews inLibau They date back to 1705, when the city served as an important port in the region. Courland (C128-17f, C128-21f). According to printed records, in 1797 Jews were officially allowed to settle in the city, and in 1835 the community numbered 114 members of the merchant class (C128-17f). By 1908 the community had grown significantly, reaching 7,402, constituting almost 8.2% of the total population, with Jews owning about a quarter of the city's industrial enterprises (C128-17f).

Educational and cultural institutions The Jewish education system inLibau It was extensive and included various types of institutions. The archive contains certificates from the Hebrew School for Boys of Y. Levonzon (J. Lebensohn) from 1891, where sacred subjects such as Bible and Rashi were taught alongside German, Russian and arithmetic (C128-13f). Later documents document the The Jewish Cultural Association Elementary School in Liepāja (Liepājas Žīdu Kulturas Biedribas Pamatskola), where subjects such as Bible, Hebrew, Yiddish, Jewish history, and geography of the Land of Israel were taught in the 1920s and 1930s (C128-3f, C128-4f). Printed information indicates that the city also had a private Jewish gymnasium, a vocational school, and charitable institutions (C128-17f). Higher education was also accessible, as evidenced by a chemical engineering diploma awarded toElia Jacobson (Elia Jakobsons) fromUniversity of Latvia In 1926 (C128-12f). Cultural life also included modern leisure, as seen in a printed advertisement for the cinema "Palace"which screened films in Latvian and German (C128-22f).

Military and national involvement The Jews of the community took an active part in the national struggles of LatviaThe archive preserves documents attesting to the service of Elias Saxons (Elias Saxons) in the command team of the brigadeLatvian Army, who participated in the battles to defend Liepaja Against forces Bermondt November 1919 (C128-10f). Another printed document confirms that Elia Jacobson Participated in the Latvian War of Independence as a soldier in 1918–1920 (C128-11f).

Zionist and economic activity The community was characterized by extensive Zionist activity through organizations such as "The pioneer", whose secretariat is inLibau Correspondence regarding membership registration in 1921 (C128-19f, C128-20f), and the sports movement "Maccabi"which celebrated 15 years since its founding inLibau (C128-18-1f, C128-18-3f). Donations toThe Foundation AndIsrael National Fund were common, as evidenced by numerous receipts issued toMoses Landman (Moses Landman) in the 1920s and 1930s (C128-24-12f, C128-24-31f). Economically, the Jews of the community engaged in a variety of professions; Landman He ran a hardware and steel shop at 20 Lielā Street (C128-25f, C128-24-8f), while Fanny Sherman (Fanny Schermann) worked as an accountant in a leather and shoe business Laser Elschwang (Lasers Alšvang) before emigrating to South Africa in 1932 (C128-5f, C128-8f).

Destruction and commemoration The fate of the community during the Holocaust is tangibly expressed in a photograph of a memorial erected inJerusalem (According to the text on the tombstone) In memory of the saints of the community Libau (Latvia) who perished and were murdered by the Nazis (C128-23f). A handwritten note indicates the date of the memorial as 13th Kislev 5772 (C128-23f). A travel diary from 1989 describes the grim state of the city under Soviet rule, noting that entire streets and residential buildings where Jews lived remained neglected or were reduced to ruins (C128-15f).

Prominent figures in their activities The community has produced individuals who have worked in diverse fields: Adolf Lieben (Adolf Lieben), chemist and professor at the Vienna Academy of Sciences; Kalman Liben (Kalman Lieben), Talmudist and writer; andAaron Lieberman (Aaron Lieberman), social activist (C128-17f). The character of Grandpa Lipshitz It comes from his memoirs (written on a typewriter), in which he describes his immigration to Israel in 1925 and his first work in the orchards, mentioning encounters with figures such as Bialik (G128-1f, C128-2f).

Historical terms and explanations

• Secondary school (Real-school): A type of vocational high school that focused on science and modern languages ​​(C128-26f).
• Collie (vocal): A term appearing in shipping and insurance documents meaning packages or cargo units (C128-6f).
• Giro-Conto (Giro account): A banking method of transferring money that was common in Europe (C128-5f).
• Steerage (Deck/Lower Deck Department): The cheapest passenger class on ships, as shown on the Fanny Sherman's cruise ticket (C128-8f).

List of sources

To view the document, click on its number.

• G128-1f – A printed memoir by Grandpa Lipshitz entitled "Looking Back at the Years of My Life" (1981).
• C128-2f – Handwritten pages of memoirs by "Grandpa Lipshitz" describing the beginning of his life and work in the Land of Israel.
• C128-3f – Official certificate from the Jewish Cultural Association Elementary School in Liepāja for Fanny Sherman.
• C128-4f – Official graduation certificate from the Jewish Cultural Association Elementary School for Rebecca Sherman (1931).
• C128-5f – A letter of recommendation in German for Fanny Sherman as an accountant in the leather business of Leiser Elschwang.
• C128-6f – Cargo shipment notice for Fanny Sherman prior to her emigration from South Africa (1932).
• C128-7f – Cargo insurance policy for Fanny Sherman to insure her personal belongings during the voyage (1932).
• C128-8f – Travel contract on the ship "Balmoral Castle" for Fanny Sherman and safety instructions for passengers.
• C128-9f – Confirmation from the customs agent in London regarding the shipment of Fanny Sherman's belongings to Cape Town (1932).
• C128-10f – Confirmation of Elias Saxons' service in the Latvian army and his participation in the battles for the defense of Liepaja (1919-1921).
• C128-11f – Certificate of participation in the Latvian War of Independence for Elia Jakobson (1918-1920).
• C128-12f – A chemical engineer diploma from the University of Latvia awarded to Elia Jakobson in 1926.
• C128-13f – Grade certificates of Gottlieb Kahn from Y. Lebenzon's Hebrew School for Boys in Lebow (1891-1892).
• C128-14f – Travel documents and publications of a German travel agency for a roots trip to Riga and Lviv (1989).
• C128-15f – A detailed travel diary describing a visit to Riga and Liepaja and impressions of the situation in the city in 1989.
• C128-16f – An article from Midstream magazine about the Libau community, its survivors, and the social ties between them (1986).
• C128-17f – A historical and encyclopedic overview in German and Russian about the Libau community and its prominent figures.
• C128-18-1f – Cover of a booklet marking 15 years of the "Maccabi" Sports Association branch in Livao.
• C128-19f – Letter from the secretariat of the "He-Chaultz" movement in Liebau regarding the registration of members (1921).
• C128-20f – Handwritten internal correspondence of the "Hechaluts" Labor Organization in the Libau branch (1921).
• C128-21f – A historical engraving showing a panoramic view of the port of the city of Libau from 1705.
• C128-22f – Advertising posters for the "Palace" cinema in Liepaja, which screens films in Latvian and German.
• C128-23f – A photograph of a memorial monument in Jerusalem in memory of the martyrs of the Libau community who perished in the Holocaust.
• C128-24-1f – Professional certification certificate in mechanics and frames for Moshe Landman in Dvinsk (1897).
• C128-24-25-1f – A letter of appreciation from German Zionist institutions in Libava to Moshe and Deborah Landman for their work.
• C128-24-2f – Marriage certificate of Moshe Landman and Deborah Yosef signed by Rabbi Dr. Avraham Yitzhak Nurok (1918).
• C128-24-25-3f – A letter of appreciation in Hebrew to Moshe Landman for his activities at the National Foundation and the KKL-JNF in Lviv (1935).
• C128-24-3f – Night work permit for Dora Yosef in a cigarette factory in Libau during the war (1917).
• C128-24-1-4f – Certificate of studies and achievements of Moshe Landman at the Jewish Crafts School in Dvinsk (1897).
• C128-24-4f – A congratulatory telegram in German for a wedding sent to Joseph Neuster in Liebau (1918).
• C128-24-1-5f – Professional certificate in frameworks for Moshe Landman from the educational institution in Dvinsk (1897).
• C128-24-5f – Rabbinical confirmation from Liepaja confirming that Moshe Landman and Moshe Gershon Landman are the same person.
• C128-24-6f – Business letter from Germany to Moshe Landman regarding the transfer of funds and travel plans (1933).
• C128-24-7f – Additional correspondence from H. Krom to Moshe Landman regarding sending money to London (1933).
• C128-24-8f – Receipt for payment of business tax for Moshe Landman's hardware store in Liepāja (1930).
• C128-24-9f – Receipt for a donation to the Jewish Relief Committee in Liebau for Moshe Landman (1932).
• C128-24-10f – Receipt in Yiddish for payment of community tax for Moshe Landman to the Libau community (1932).
• C128-24-11f – Receipt for payment of a fee or fine from the Liepaja Police Department for Moshe Landman (1934).
• C128-24-12f – An official mailing envelope from the "Keren Hayesod" in Lebanon addressed to Moshe Landman.
• C128-24-13f – Receipt for a donation to the Jerusalem Basic Fund issued in Libau for Moshe Landman (1931).
• C128-24-14f – Official receipt for a donation to the Basic Fund for Moshe Landman (July 1931).
• C128-24-15f – Confirmation of receipt of the "Keren Hayesod" committee in Livau named after Moshe Landman (1934).
• C128-24-16f – Receipt for Moshe Landman's donation to the Jerusalem Basic Fund (May 1931).
• C128-24-17f – A postal envelope from the "Keren Kayemet LeIsrael" in Latvia addressed to Moshe Landman in Liepaja.
• C128-24-18f – Letter from agronomist Y. Berger in Tel Aviv to Moshe Landman regarding the purchase of land in Israel (1933).
• C128-24-19f – A personal business card of Dora Landman from the city of Libau.
• C128-24-20f – Letter in German to Moshe Landman regarding scheduling a meeting in Tel Aviv and exercising rights (1935).
• C128-24-21f – Pages from the Latvian passport of Moshe Landman and his wife Dvora, including personal details and photographs.
• C128-24-22f – Official birth certificate from Liepaja for Jenna Landman, daughter of Moshe and Deborah (1922).
• C128-24-23f – Invitation in German to the Bar Mitzvah celebration of Grisha Landman at the family home in Libau (1932).
• C128-24-24f – Gershon Yuval's membership card in the Jewish Cultural Association in Latvia (1990-1994).
• C128-24-25f – Official farewell and appreciation letter from the management of Keren Hayesod and KKL-JNF to Moshe Landman and his wife (1935).
• C128-24-26f – A detailed list of annual donations by Moshe Landman to the Basic Fund in Lviv (1921-1934).
• C128-24-27f – Handwritten details of Moshe Landman's contributions to the National Foundation over the years (1934).
• C128-24-28f – Copy of the list of donations to the Basic Fund in Libau for Moshe Landman (1934).
• C128-24-29f – Official letter from the JNF office in Riga to Moshe Landman wishing him success in his immigration to Israel (1935).
• C128-24-30f – Letter from the KKL-JNF national office in Riga to Moshe Landman regarding the planting of trees in his name (1935).
• C128-24-31f – Official certificate of acceptance from London for Moshe Landman's significant contribution to the Keren Hayesod (1925).
• C128-24-32f – A letter of appreciation in Yiddish and Hebrew to Moshe Landman for his many years of volunteering in Zionist institutions.
• C128-24-33f – Certificate of tree planting in the "Herzl Forest" in Israel in honor of Moshe Landman and his wife (1932).
• C128-24-34f – Certificate of appreciation for planting trees for Moshe and Deborah Landman on behalf of the KKL-JNF (1935).
• C128-25f – Grave lists from the cemetery in Libau, a business directory and an archival coordination letter.
• C128-26f – Temporary certificate of completion of six grades at the Real School in Livao for Leyva Yosef (1901).

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