National Democratic Party's file / תיק – מפלגת לאומית דמוקרטית

📜Platform of the Jewish National-Democratic Workers' Party in Latvia

The sources presented are booklets detailing the platform and fundamental values of the Jewish National-Democratic Party in Latvia, appearing in Yiddish and Russian. These documents emphasize the movement’s commitment to promoting cultural and national autonomy for the Jewish community within a democratic and tolerant environment. The party advocates freedom of religion, expression, and association, alongside the protection of minority rights and the preservation of independent communal institutions. In addition, the texts address the importance of the Yiddish and Hebrew languages as tools for preserving Jewish heritage and educating the younger generation. The platform combines moderate support for the Zionist enterprise with a primary focus on improving Jewish life in the Diaspora and advancing social justice. Finally, the booklets call upon the public to join the ranks of the party and work toward realizing its political and social principles.

The Jewish National-Democratic Party in Latvia (אידישער נאציאנאל-דעמאקראט. פארטיי / Еврейская Национально-Демократическая партия) operated as a political body seeking to combine liberal democratic values with national-cultural autonomy for the Jewish minority (O2-1f, O2-2f). Below is an expansion on the main focal points emerging from the sources:

Key Places and Institutions

• Riga (Riga): The city served as the main center of the party’s activity in Latvia (O2-1f, O2-2f).
• 28 Jekaba Street (Jekaba / Яковлевской): At this address stood the office of the party’s central committee, where one could register as a member and receive information (O2-1f, O2-2f). The location was noted as being near the offices of the Jewish community (O2-1f, O2-2f).
• The Eli Levin Printing House (Eli Levin): A printing house located in Riga (at 26 Gospodskaya Street) that was used to print the party’s platform and propaganda materials in Yiddish and Russian (O2-1f, O2-2f).
• The Party’s Central Committee: The leading body that published the fundamental principles and called upon the public to join the party’s ranks (O2-1f, O2-2f).
• The Central Committee (צנטראל קאמיטעט / Центральный Комитет): This is the party’s governing body, responsible for the publications and the call to join the movement (O2-1f, O2-2f).
• Party members (מיטגליד / члены): The sources address the public with a request to join as official members in the party’s ranks (O2-1f, O2-2f).
• Parents (עלטערן / родителей): Mentioned as having the role and right to decide on the language of instruction in the autonomous schools that the party seeks to establish (O2-1f, O2-2f).
• Workers (ארבעטער / трудящихся): Mentioned as a social class the party aims to represent and promote reforms on its behalf (O2-1f, O2-2f).

Principles and Ideology

• National-cultural autonomy: The party championed the right of the Jewish minority to self-definition within Latvia, including independent management of religious, cultural, and educational institutions (O2-1f, O2-2f).
• Democracy and human rights: The party supported freedom of speech, the press, and association, and advocated a proportional, direct, and secret electoral system without distinction of religion, nationality, or gender (O2-1f, O2-2f).
• The role of language and education: The party regarded Yiddish as a powerful tool for transmitting knowledge to the masses and as a foundation for education in schools (O2-1f, O2-2f). At the same time, deep respect was expressed for the language of the Bible (Hebrew) as a key to a rich culture, while expressing regret that historical circumstances prevented it from becoming the spoken language of the people everywhere (O2-1f, O2-2f).
• Between the Diaspora and the Land of Israel: The party recognized the importance of the Zionist movement and the building of a refuge for the Jewish people in the Land of Israel, but emphasized that its primary duty was addressing the problems of Jews in the Diaspora, since the majority of the people were not expected to emigrate in the near future (O2-1f, O2-2f).
• Social justice: The party declared its support for the working classes and the struggle against the abuse of capital, while striving for social reforms within the democratic order (O2-1f, O2-2f).
• The Kehila institution: An aspiration to establish autonomous Jewish communities that would unite in a national federation and manage all aspects of Jewish life, from spirituality to medical aid and charity (O2-1f, O2-2f).

List of sources

• O2-1f : A booklet detailing the fundamental principles of the Jewish National-Democratic Party in Latvia in the Yiddish language.
• O2-2f : A booklet detailing the fundamental principles of the Jewish National-Democratic Party in Latvia in the Russian language.

O2-1f

O2-2f

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