Hashachar- Student Corporation's file / תיק – השחר – תאגיד הסטודנטים

📜 Jewish Student Activity and Antisemitism at the University of Latvia

These sources document the history and activities of the Jewish Student Association "Hashachar" that operated in Riga, Latvia, between the two World Wars. The texts review the diverse political landscape of Jewish students at the university, ranging from right-wing and Revisionist movements to socialist and communist groups. The association focused on Zionist-socialist education, the study of the Hebrew language, and preparing young people for immigration to the Land of Israel, while hosting prominent leaders such as Ben-Gurion and Bialik. Alongside its cultural activity, the sources describe the struggle against rising antisemitism and attempts to limit the number of Jewish students through the introduction of a "Numerus Clausus". With the rise of the fascist regime in Latvia in 1934 and the Soviet occupation in 1940, the activity was pushed underground until it ceased entirely. Finally, the sources note the contribution of the graduates who immigrated to Israel and integrated into the fields of law, medicine, and education in the young state.

The "Hashachar" association was a Zionist-socialist Jewish student organization that operated in Riga, Latvia, between the two World Wars. The association played a central role in the cultural, educational, and political life of Jewish students at the University of Riga (O10-1f, O10-2-1f).

Historical Background and Establishment of the Association

After Latvia gained independence in 1918, the state university was established in Riga. Initially Jewish students did not encounter significant difficulties, but as Latvian nationalism intensified, restrictions began to appear (O10-1f, O10-2-1f). In 1924 the association "Nitzotz" was established for students with Zionist-socialist views, but it ceased operating after two years (O10-1f, O10-2-1f). In 1926, nine members who had left "Nitzotz" founded together with the group "Haver" the association "Hashachar" (O10-1f, O10-2-3f). The association united students from different political parties, mainly from "Zeirei Zion" and "T.S.", and served as an ideological bridge between them (O10-1f, O10-2-3f).

Cultural and Educational Activity

The goals of the association were Zionist-socialist education, preparation for immigration to the Land of Israel, and integration into the labor movement (O10-1f, O10-2-3f). Its activities included:

• Social Club: The association rented a club on Gertrudes Street where public debates, lectures, and seminars were held (O10-1f, O10-2-3f).
• Study of Hebrew and the history of Zionism: Regular courses were held to teach the language and historical knowledge (O10-1f, O10-2-3f).
• Guests from the Land of Israel: The association hosted prominent spiritual and political leaders during their visits to Riga, including Chaim Nachman Bialik, David Ben-Gurion, Chaim Arlosoroff and Zalman Shazar (O10-1f, O10-2-3f).
• "Kupa" Fund: A mutual aid institution that supported students in need regardless of their political affiliation (O10-1f, O10-2-3f).

The Struggle Against Antisemitism and the "Numerus Clausus"

Beginning in 1923, violent clashes began at the university initiated by Latvian nationalist students (O10-1f, O10-2-5f). The "Hashachar" association was very active in the general student council, where its representatives, such as Shneur Levenberg, fought against antisemitic decrees (O10-1f, O10-2-5f, O10-2f). In 1933 Latvian fascist organizations, led by the organization "Perkonkrust" (Thunder Cross), proposed introducing a "Numerus Clausus" (limited quota) for Jews and even forbidding Jewish medical students from entering anatomy halls so they would not desecrate Christian bodies (O10-1f, O10-2-5f). Due to nationalist pressure, the number of Jewish students in the medical faculty fell from 140 in 1920 to only 31 in 1935 (O10-2-5f).

The End of the Association

On May 15, 1934, a fascist coup took place in Latvia led by Karlis Ulmanis, and the legal activity of "Hashachar" was terminated (O10-1f, O10-2-5f). Members of the association continued to operate underground and within training frameworks for immigration (O10-1f, O10-2f). With the occupation of Latvia by the Soviet army in 1940, all Zionist activity came to a final end (O10-1f, O10-2f). Many members of the association immigrated to Israel and integrated into key roles in education, law, and sports (O10-1f, O10-2f).

• Shneur Levenberg: Delegate of "Hashachar" in the student council who fought against antisemitic decrees, later representative of the Jewish Agency in England (O10-1f, O10-2-5f, O10-2f).
• Dr. Elazar Zelikson: One of the founders of the association and author of its memoirs, later served as chief judge in Tel Aviv (O10-1f, O10-2-1f, O10-2f).
• Baruch Bag: Member of the association who contributed to the establishment of the Wingate Institute for Physical Education (O10-1f, O10-2f).
• Emanuel Gil: Activist in the association who became a central figure in the "Hapoel" sports federation (O10-1f, O10-2f).
• Sigo Michelson and Eliyahu Efrat: Representatives of the association in the student council (O10-2-5f).
• Nehemia Reznik and Israel Meharik: Members of the association who passed away (O10-1f, O10-2f).

Nazis and Hostile Elements:

• Karlis Ulmanis (Karlis Ulmanis): The Latvian dictator who led the fascist coup in 1934 and eliminated legal Zionist activity (O10-1f, O10-2-5f).
• The "Perkonkrust" Organization (Perkonkrust): An extreme Latvian fascist organization ("Thunder Cross") that led incitement against Jewish students and demanded the implementation of the "Numerus Clausus" (O10-1f, O10-2-5f).

Further Details on Important Sources

• O10-1f: This is the most comprehensive source in Hebrew, including a full historical overview of the association from its establishment until its dissolution, including details on the political debates and the key personalities who operated within it.
• O10-2f (and its parts O10-2-1f to O10-2-5f): A detailed testimony in German by Dr. Elazar Zelikson. This source provides a broad context regarding the political situation in Latvia, the relations between the various corporations (such as the right-wing "Vetulia"), and a technical description of the struggles at the university against antisemitism.

List of Sources

• O10-1f : Detailed article in Hebrew on the history of the "Hashachar" student association in Riga, its activity, and the struggle against antisemitism.
• O10-2-1f : First page of a historical review in German by Dr. Elazar Zelikson on Latvian Jewry and the establishment of "Hashachar".
• O10-2-3f : Page from the German review focusing on the goals of the association, the club on Gertrudes Street, and the famous guests from the Land of Israel.
• O10-2-5f : Page from the German review describing the rise of antisemitism at the university, the "Perkonkrust" organization, and the struggle against the "Numerus Clausus".
• O10-2f : PDF file compiling the full testimony in German by Dr. Elazar Zelikson on the history of the "Hashachar" association.
• O10-3-1f : Handwritten document including notes and lists related to the activities of the "Hashachar" association.

O10-1f

O10-2f

O10-2-1f

O10-2-3f

O10-2-5f

O10-3-1f

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