History and Tragic Path of the Jews in Riga

The history of the Jews in Latvia is rich and diverse, dating back more than 450 years.

The first Jews appeared in Kurzeme in the middle of the 16th century from German and Polish lands, and immigrants from Lithuanian and Belarusian lands settled in the middle of the 17th century in Latgale.

In Riga, from the mid-16th century, Jews played an important role in the forest trade, playing the role of intermediaries and trading agents of wealthy aristocratic families. In the 18th century, a limited number of “privileged Jews” were granted permanent residency in the city. Their place of residence was limited to the Moscow Forstadt.

Our tour will begin in Moscow Forstadt. This is where the history of the Jews of Riga begins. This area became the first Jewish settlement in Riga. At the end of the 19th century, the wealthiest and most educated Jews settled in the city center. Schools, synagogues, Jewish organizations and societies appeared in Riga.

But fate, mocking evil at people’s hopes and aspirations, led everyone back to the beginning of Jewish history in Riga, to the suburbs of the poor, where Jews were behind the barbed wire of the ghetto and died in the flames of the Holocaust.

The objects of our excursion will be memorable places, inextricably linked with the reminder of the tragedy of the Jews during the Second World War.

We will honor the memory of the Yeves at the site of the burned Great Choral Synagogue "Gogolshul", visit the territory of the former ghetto, visit the Ghetto Museum, the old Jewish cemetery and memorial in the Rumbul forest, the place of mass execution of Jews.

During the tour you will learn about the famous Jews who were born and lived in Riga.