Ogre file / תיק קהילה

📜 The history of the Ugra community and its destruction in the Holocaust

These sources document the history of the Jewish community in the city. Ogre in Latvia, combining Statistical data and historical information. The documents detail the growth of the settlement during the Independent Latvia, including data from the 1935 census indicating the presence of 50 Jews in the city. The review focuses on the tragedy of Holocaust period, from the Soviet occupation to the German invasion in June 1941, when almost all the local Jews were murdered in a nearby forest. In addition, exhibits Official documents in Latvian, which include maps and details about the economic and social structure of the city before the war. Finally, the sources mention the actions of Commemorating the victims Organized after the war by survivors and Riga Jews.

Geographical and historical background of the town of Ugra

The town Ogre (Ogre), known by its German name Ogershof, located in the region Vidzeme (Vidzeme), which was previously called Lappland (Lipland) (C5-1f, C5-3f). The town lies on the right bank of the riverDaugava (Daugava), previously known as Davina (Dvina) (C5-1f, C5-4f). Administratively, during the Republic of Latvia, it was considered an urban settlement in Riga District (C5-1f). In the printed text in file C5-3f, a handwritten addition appears in brackets next to the name of the river Dvina, but the information in the manuscript is not entirely clear (C5-3f). Between 1920–1940, Ugra was part ofIndependent Latvia (C5-1f, C5-7).

Development of the Jewish Community and Demographics

During the reign of Tsarist Russia, the town of Ugra was located outside ofThe seat area, and until World War I, it was inhabited only by One Jewish family which was engaged in grain trade (C5-3f, C5-6). With the establishment of independent Latvia, a small Jewish community began to develop there (C5-1f). There is a certain discrepancy in the statistical data between the sources: according to the census data printed in 1935, the town was inhabited by 72 Jews, constituting 4.17% of the total 1,727 residents (C5-2f). However, other sources indicate that in 1935 there were 50 Jews Out of the same number of residents (C5-1f, C5-3f, C5-7). In 1930, the town had 38 Jews out of 1,292 residents (C5-3f).

Community life, religion and economics

The organized Jewish community in Ogre began to take shape in the 1930s (C5-1f, C5-7). The community was active in House of Prayerand she used the services of Teaches He would come to the place to teach the children Torah and prayers (C5-1f, C5-3f). In addition, he lived in the town slaughterer Permanent (C5-1f, C5-6).

In the economic and professional field, the printed sources list a number of names of Jewish residents and their occupations:

• Mencha Yanklovitch (Menucha Jankelovičs) is registered as a dentist at Upes pr. 7 (C5-2f).
• R. Abramson (R. Abramsons) ran a food business at Brīvības Street 27 (C5-2f).
• Hirsch Meyerson (Hiršs Meersons) was engaged in the textile trade (Manufaktūras) at Brīvības Street 21 (C5-2f).

The municipal budget of Ogre for 1935, as shown in the statistical report, was 58,410 lats, with most of the revenue coming from taxes and fees (C5-2f).

The Holocaust and the destruction of the community

after Ribbentrop-Molotov Pact From August 1939, the Red Army entered Latvia and in the summer of 1940 Soviet rule was established there (C5-1f, C5-7). On June 22, 1941, shortly after the outbreak of war between Germany and the Soviet Union, the German army occupied the town (C5-1f). After the occupation, the Jews were taken from their homes and taken to the nearby railway station and from there to the forest, where Murdered (C5-1f, C5-7).

The sources mention a specific case of a Jew who found refuge with a Latvian family for two years; he was eventually discovered and executed by Latvian Police (C5-3f, C5-6). Of all the members of the community, only One child (C5-3f, C5-6). After the war, the Jews of Riga held an annual commemoration at the site of the murder in Ugra (C5-1f, C5-7).

Terms and explanations

• The seat area: A geographical area in the Russian Empire where Jews were allowed to reside permanently.
• slaughterer: A person authorized to perform kosher slaughter of animals.
• Teaches: A teacher for children in Talmud Torah or "cheder".
• Vidzeme: One of the four historical ropeways of Latvia.
• Lipland: Historical name (German/Russian) for part of the territories of present-day Latvia and Estonia.
• Latvian (Ls): The official currency of Latvia during the first period of independence.

List of sources

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• C5-1f – A historical overview in Hebrew of the town of Ogre, the life of the Jewish community in the 1930s, and a description of its destruction during the Holocaust.
• C5-2f – An official statistical report in Latvian that includes demographic data, lists of Jewish business owners, the city budget for 1935, and a map of the town.
• C5-3f – A document printed in Hebrew with handwritten notes that includes comparative demographic data on the Jewish community and details about the fate of the town's Jews during the Holocaust.
• C5-4f – A summary page in English about the geographical history of Ogre, the Jewish community structure, and the events of the German occupation and the murder in the forest.

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