Open-air exhibition to reveal the heritage of the Jewish community in Jaunjelgava

          Jews began settling in Jaunjelgava around the beginning of the 18th century. Their main occupations were crafts and trade. As Jaunjelgava was located in a favorable and advantageous geographical location for successful trade and commerce, the Jewish community grew in number and contributed to the economic development of the city year after year. As a result of World War I, and especially due to the tragedy of the Holocaust, the Jewish communities in Latvia's small towns disappeared completely by the middle of the 20th century. Almost all of the documentary and material heritage was lost. What remains are a few buildings and cemeteries. A Jewish cemetery has also been preserved in Jaunjelgava, which is now one of the best-maintained Jewish memorials in Latvia. Work to clean and maintain the Jewish cemetery began in 1985 in order to preserve this unique place. Much has been achieved through joint efforts, but preservation work needs to continue.

            The ritual building (bet-tohora) located in the northwestern part of the cemetery, where the deceased were prepared for their final journey in a special ceremony, was left without a roof during the war. The remains of this building were at risk of destruction, as its walls had gradually begun to crumble. However, thanks to the descendants of Uriass Šatcs (*Uriass Šatcs (1849-1913) – a Jewish pharmacy owner and long-time city councilor in Fridrihštate), several private donators, and the participation of the Jewish religious community "Shamir," with the support of the Jaunjelgava municipality and EU funds, a complex conservation of the cemetery was carried out (from 2007 to 2008). The ruins of the ritual building were cleared of bushes and trees that had grown on the walls. The half-ruined building was preserved and turned into a monument to the city's Jewish community, where informational materials about the Jewish community of Jaunjelgava could be displayed in the future.

            In order to display informational materials and turn the ritual building (bet-tohora) into an open-air exhibition space, conservation work must continue and a roof structure must be built. The Jaunjelgava Tourist Information Point has a visual display of the final concept for the project, developed by the architectural firm "Birojs A": "Fridrihštates – Jaunjelgava Jewish Community" open-air exhibition. The concept was financed by the Jaunjelgava Jewish Memorial Society with assistance from the Latvian Jewish Community Restitution Fund. In addition to the funds provided by the aforementioned organizations, financial support from our citizens and business owners is needed to make this project a reality. Donations will help us continue our work!

More detailed information on how to make a donation is available on the association's website: www.jews-jaunjelgava.lv or by calling (+371) 29579789.

In gratitude for your donation:

•          you will receive a copy of V. Šatca's book "Jaunjelgava 1800-1941: History of the City and Jewish Community";

•          a tour of Jaunjelgava accompanied by the author of the book or a guide;

•          tax relief for legal entities;

•          the donor's name will be mentioned on the annual information plaque at the Jaunjelgava Jewish Memorial and on the website www.jews-jaunjelgava.lv, unless you wish to remain anonymous.

The attached photos show what the ritual building currently looks like in nature and in the model—what it will look like after the roof structure has been built and the information stands have been installed.

• Jaunjelgava Jewish Cemetery

Meža iela 12, Jaunjelgava, Aizkraukle Municipality, Latvia, LV-5134

GPS: 56.608143, 25.102051

Photo: Sandra Smona, Jaunjelgava TIP.

This article was written using V. Šatca's book "Jaunjelgava, 1800-1941. The History of the City and the Jewish Community" and I. Bruņiniece's book "Jaunjelgava."

The information was compiled and prepared by the Jaunjelgava Tourist Information Center, located at 33 Jelgavas Street, Jaunjelgava.