Rujiena file / תיק קהילה

📜 Chronicles of the Roiana Community: Prosperity and Ruin in Latvia

The sources discussed review the History of the Jewish Community In the city of Rūjiena in Latvia, from the establishment of the settlement until its destruction in the Holocaust. The texts detail the Demographic development of the city and its transition to independent Latvian rule after World War I. Economically, a small but Established and independent, which was mainly engaged in trade and crafts and did not need external assistance. The documents indicate that despite its small size, the community maintained Jewish character and maintained Zionist activity until the outbreak of World War II. The review ends with a tragic description of Conquest of the city by the Germans in the summer of 1941 and the murder of the Jews who were unable to escape.

The city Rūjiena, also known in German asRuen or Rujene, located in the district Valmiera In the province Vidzeme In Latvia (formerly Lappland(C111-1f, C111-4f). The printed sources indicate that the modern settlement was founded in 1872, and after being connected to the railway network at1892 (in line Valk-Pernod), there was significant industrial development (C111-1f, C111-3f). However, another source indicates that the area was historically settled as early as the Middle Ages, around a castle mentioned in the years 1260-1270, and that city rights were officially granted to the place on January 20 1920 (C111-2f). In the early years of Latvia's independence, most of the local residents were Latvians (C111-3f).

Demographics and growth of the Jewish community

Jews began to settle inRoiana, Apparently, at the end of the century19 (C111-3f). Evening World War IThe city's population was about4,000 However, during the war many left the place, including Jews; not all of them returned after the war (C111-1f, C111-4f). Detailed statistical data show the development of the community: in 1897 There are no Jews listed in the table, but in1920 Live in the city 75 Jews out of a total population of 3,475 (C111-3f). The following years saw relative stability: 72 Jews in 1925, 73 Jews in 1930, and62 Jews in 1935 (Constituting approximately 1.43% or 2% of the total population according to various sources) (C111-1f, C111-3f, C111-4f). On one of the documents appears Handwritten registration, part of which is unclear, and in which the name is mentioned "Rozinovsky" Along with additional notes and markings (C111-3f).

Community life, economy and religion

Due to their limited numbers, they did not establish a Jewish Roiana Organized public institutions, and there were none in the city synagogue or cemetery Jewish (C111-3f). Public prayers were held in private homes that served as temporary prayer houses (C111-3f). Despite this, there was an affinity for Zionist activity, and in 1926 Six Jews from the city donated money to the cause. Israel National Fund (C111-1f, C111-4f). Economically, most of the city's Jews made their living fromtrade, and a minority of them were Craftsmen (C111-1f). In 1935, there were three Jewish-owned stores in the city, and a Jewish community was also active. Dentist One (C111-1f, C111-3f). The archive contains detailed lists of businesses and professionals in the city in 1935, including 184 commercial establishments, hotels such as "Central Hotel", and industrial establishments such as flour mills and breweries (C111-2f).

Holocaust period

The fate of the community was sealed following Ribbentrop-Molotov Pact From August 1939, which led to the annexation of Latvia to the Soviet Union in the summer 1940 (C111-1f, C111-4f). InJune 22, 1941, the Germans invaded the Soviet Union, and shortly thereafter, in July 1941, it was occupied Roiana by the German army (C111-1f, C111-3f). All Jews who did not manage to escape to the Soviet Union before the occupation were murdered during the summer of 1941 by the Germans andLatvian collaborators Local (C111-1f, C111-4f).

Terms and concepts from the sources

• Vidzeme: A historical region in northern Latvia (C111-1f).
• Lipland/Livland: The historical name of the region that included southern Estonia and northern Latvia (C111-1f).
• Keren Kayemeth Leisrael: A Zionist institution for the purchase of land in Israel, to which the Jews of the city contributed (C111-4f).
• Ribbentrop-Molotov Pact: Non-aggression pact between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union that determined the division of spheres of influence in Eastern Europe (C111-1f).

List of sources

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• C111-1f – A historical overview in Hebrew about the city of Royana, the development of the Jewish community there and its fate during the Holocaust.
• C111-2f – Statistical, administrative and economic information in Latvian from the book "Town Descriptions" (1936), which includes a map and detailed lists of professionals and businesses.
• C111-3f – Demographic data on the Jews of Royana between the years 1897–1935, a historical overview and handwritten notes including names and additional details.
• C111-4f – A historical summary in English about the city of Royana, the life of the Jewish community, Zionist activity, and the murder of local Jews in the summer of 1941.

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