Tukums file / תיק קהילה

The source collection presents a broad historical and documentary overview of Jewish Community of Tocumen in Latvia, from its development in the 19th century to its modern reconstruction. The documents include Historical reviews On the local educational, religious and economic institutions, alongside Painful testimonies On the destruction of the community by the Nazis and their supporters during the Holocaust. A significant portion of the material is devoted to documentation The Jewish warriors The townspeople who took part in the fight against fascism and Semitic lists of those who fell. In addition, the sources present Official correspondence, newspaper clippings and photographs reflecting daily life and contemporary efforts to preserve the city's Jewish heritage. The entire collection serves asHand of Memory to a thriving community that was almost completely wiped out, emphasizing the living connection between the survivors and their descendants and their hometown.

History of the Jewish Community inTocumen (Tukums/Tukkum), located in the region Courland (Courland) againLatvia, are documented in sources from the late 18th century, when Jews were allowed to settle in the area following the Russian annexation in 1796 (C52-30f, C52-3f). The beginning of settlement in the area dates back to an earlier period, under the rule of Teutonic Order In the 13th century, but a census from 1797 did not yet include Jews in the city (C52-30f, C52-1f).

Demographic development and community institutions

In 1801, there were already registeredTocumen Sherva Kadisha androom. The first Jews came from the noble estates, from nearby villages and from East Prussia (C52-30f). The Jewish population grew rapidly: in 1850 there were 2,887 Jews in the city (47% of the population), in 1897 the community numbered 2,561 (34% of the population), and in 1910 their number reached a peak of 5,500, which constituted 46% of the total population (C52-30f, C52-3f).

The community was known for its piety, and was headed by a dynasty of rabbis from the LiechtensteinThe founder, the rabbi Mordechai Lichtenstein, served in the early 19th century, and was succeeded by his son, Rabbi Eliezer L. Lichtenstein, who was known for his opposition to any deviation from tradition (C52-30f). The city's last rabbi was Rabbi Levi Lichtenstein, who perished in the Holocaust (C52-30f, C52-1f). The sources indicate that three synagogues operated in the city (C52-30f).

Economy, Society and Politics

In the 19th century, most Jews were engaged in trade and small crafts. Some moved to agricultural areas in southern Russia in the middle of the century due to economic difficulties (C52-30f). In the 20th century, the situation improved, and by 1935 Jews owned 48% of the city's businesses (C52-30f, C52-3f). Among the businesses were small textile factories and tanneries (C52-30f).

Political activity was extensive and included a branch of theBond, who was active in the 1905 Revolution, as well as Zionist activity that began in the early 20th century (C52-30f). Youth movements such as The pioneer, Beitar andGordonia operated there, and in 1924 a branch of Maccabi (C52-30f, C52-3f). A choir and a drama club were prominent in cultural life (C52-30f).

The Holocaust Period: The Absolute Destruction

The Holocaust periodTocumen Began under an agreement Ribbentrop-Molotov. In the summer of 1940, the Red Army entered, and Jewish businesses were nationalized. In mid-June 1941, several Jewish families were deported to Siberia (C52-30f, C52-3f). The German army occupied the city on July 1, 1941 (C52-30f, C52-1f).

Within a few days, the Jews of the city and the surrounding villages were gathered in synagogues. Those found fit were taken to forced labor (C52-30f). During July, a "show trial" was held of the community leaders on charges of collaboration with the Bolsheviks, and they were executed (C52-30f, C52-3f). In mid-July 1941, the Jewish men were taken to the area Lake Walgoms (Valgums), where they were forced to dig pits and shot to death (C52-30f, C52-3f). The next day the rest of the community were brought to the same spot and murdered there. According to one version in the sources, some of the Jews were murdered inside the synagogues that were set on fire with their occupants (C52-30f). Only one Jewish woman managed to escape (C52-30f). The sources state that many Jewish families were murdered in pits inStarry Ross and in other places on the front (C52-1af).

Prominent figures and families

• The Ferber family: A large and active family inTocumen, known as the "Unconventional Generation." The three "seniors" (founding fathers) were life, Israel andAaron (C52-21f). The family members were active in sports (they formed a family soccer team that played against Maccabi), in music and Zionism (C52-21f, C52-22f). Many of them perished in the Holocaust or in Siberia, but some managed to reach Israel and contribute to its establishment (C52-21f).
• Israel Keshet: (originally Israel Sarulu Farber) was a prominent altruistic figure, greatly assisting his relatives and friends during difficult times in Russia and later in Israel (C52-21f, C52-22f).
• Yakov Karazin: Author of the book "The Jews of the City Resurrect", which documented the history of the community and the Holocaust (C52-16-23f, C52-1af).
• Benjamin Farber (Yomchik): An expert ophthalmologist who saved the eyesight of many, served as a surgeon on the front and was highly respected (C52-21f, C52-22f).

After the war and preserving memory

After the war, a few survivors and evacuees from Russia returned to the city. The synagogue served as a grain warehouse, and the rabbi's house became a place of prayer (C52-30f). In the 1950s, between 250 and 300 Jews lived in the city, but community activity declined in the 1960s on the orders of the authorities (C52-30f, C52-3f). The synagogue was converted into a factory, and the Holy Ark was transferred to a museum (C52-30f).

In the late 1990s, there was serious concern about the destruction of the ancient Jewish cemetery for the purpose of paving a road and building houses (C52-25f). Appeals from international organizations to the President of Latvia and the mayor attempted to prevent this desecration (C52-25f). A handwritten note on a document from 1998 states that the local council decided that the road would pass through the area of ​​the Jewish cemetery (C52-25f). In 2010, the former synagogue building was rededicated as a center for children with disabilities, at the initiative of businessmen and the "Shamir" community (C52-26f).

Terms and explanations

• Kurland: A historical region in western Latvia where the community was located (C52-1f).
• Hevra Kadisha: A community body responsible for Jewish burials and registration of the deceased (C52-30f).
• Bond: A Jewish socialist workers' party that was active in the city (C52-30f).
• Hachshara (Training): Centers for training young Jews for agricultural work in preparation for immigration to Israel; one of the few training centers in Latvia operated in Tokom (C52-21f).
• Perkonkrusts: A right-wing nationalist Latvian organization that persecuted Jews (C52-21f).

List of sources

To view the document, click on its number.