Sincere thanks to all of you who replied to my original posting!

For those of you who are interested the "F" means Fairfield.
The abbrevation list is in the very beginning of the directory just before
the "A's"

I firmly believe that the two people listed are our ancestors. What
are the odds of those two given names showing up in a record together
without being related? Leopold RING married Regina KISH in 1900, so
I believe Leopold was setting up his own home for he and his wife,
therefore he was rem. (removed) to Bridgeport. Leopold was
Clementine's brother.

As for Clementine not using her married name DZIEKIEWICZ, we have
learned that her married surname "can" mean RING in English!

Thanks to all of you!

Regards,
Nancy Ring Kendrick
Port Orange, FL
Searching BLOCH and RING >from the following areas: Bielsko-Biala /
Bystra / Kenty / Nowy Sacz / Tarnow
http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/k/e/n/Nancy-R-Kendrick/?Welcome=
1018348985

Sincere thanks to all of you who replied to my original posting!

For those of you who are interested the "F" means Fairfield.
The abbrevation list is in the very beginning of the directory just before
the "A's"

I firmly believe that the two people listed are our ancestors. What
are the odds of those two given names showing up in a record together
without being related? Leopold RING married Regina KISH in 1900, so
I believe Leopold was setting up his own home for he and his wife,
therefore he was rem. (removed) to Bridgeport. Leopold was
Clementine's brother.

As for Clementine not using her married name DZIEKIEWICZ, we have
learned that her married surname "can" mean RING in English!

Thanks to all of you!

Regards,
Nancy Ring Kendrick
Port Orange, FL
Searching BLOCH and RING >from the following areas: Bielsko-Biala /
Bystra / Kenty / Nowy Sacz / Tarnow
http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/k/e/n/Nancy-R-Kendrick/?Welcome=
1018348985

http://www.jewishgen.org/litvak/donor.htm


I clicked on the above site. I received a message that it does not exist.
Where is it?
L. Flum
Rochester

MODERATOR'S NOTE: Our apologies. The correct URL is
http://www.jewishgen.org/litvak/HTML/donor.htm

http://www.jewishgen.org/litvak/donor.htm


I clicked on the above site. I received a message that it does not exist.
Where is it?
L. Flum
Rochester

MODERATOR'S NOTE: Our apologies. The correct URL is
http://www.jewishgen.org/litvak/HTML/donor.htm

How did Jews who had inherited surnames, like Oppenheim, Heilbron,
Alperovich, Halperin, Galperin, Speyer, Epstein, Horovitz, keep these
surnames in places and time periods when surnaming was not the practice?
I'm thinking of 18th century Jews in Lithuania that had one of the above
surnames, like my Kurenets Alpert/Alperovich family.
Another example that comes to mind is the case of the Baal Shem Tov. If I
remember correctly, he had one of these surnames: Halperin.

Kind regards,
Andi Alpert Ziegelman
Searching:
Alperovich in Vileika, Kurenets, Postawy
Sukkot/Shochet in Kavarsk and Moletai
Mishli/Mishler/Missler in Ukmerge/Vilkomir
Cohen in Ukmerge/Vilkomir
Nudelman in Vilna?

How did Jews who had inherited surnames, like Oppenheim, Heilbron,
Alperovich, Halperin, Galperin, Speyer, Epstein, Horovitz, keep these
surnames in places and time periods when surnaming was not the practice?
I'm thinking of 18th century Jews in Lithuania that had one of the above
surnames, like my Kurenets Alpert/Alperovich family.
Another example that comes to mind is the case of the Baal Shem Tov. If I
remember correctly, he had one of these surnames: Halperin.

Kind regards,
Andi Alpert Ziegelman
Searching:
Alperovich in Vileika, Kurenets, Postawy
Sukkot/Shochet in Kavarsk and Moletai
Mishli/Mishler/Missler in Ukmerge/Vilkomir
Cohen in Ukmerge/Vilkomir
Nudelman in Vilna?

Dear Danzig-genners,

I just wanted to draw your attention to
The Center for Research on Dutch Jewry's website:
http://shum.huji.ac.il/~dutchjew/genealog/ashkenazi/index.htm

Where there is a number of DANZIGERs listed and more or less information
about the persons listed, some - eg Adriaantje mirjam Joseph DANZIGER -
was born in Danzig, others were born in Amsterdam, but judging >from the
surname they probably have some connection to Danzig.

Best regards

Moderator of the
Latvia, Danzig and Scandinavia SIG mailing lists
Elsebeth Paikin, Copenhagen, Denmark
e-mail: elsebeth@paikin.dk
-------------------------------------------------

I recently learned that my grandmother brought two brothers over >from
the Cmeilow area of Poland after World War II to Toronto, Canada. They
were about 18 to 20 years of age at the time, with the surname
TEITELBAUM. They would have been born between
1921-1929 in or near Cmeilow Poland. They were housepainters.
According to an aunt, they left Toronto and moved to Detroit.
Apparently, they also either changed or shortened their surname.
Any information would be welcome. Please respond to
me privately. thankyou
sharon brown
sharonb2468@yahoo.com

Dear Danzig-genners,

I just wanted to draw your attention to
The Center for Research on Dutch Jewry's website:
http://shum.huji.ac.il/~dutchjew/genealog/ashkenazi/index.htm

Where there is a number of DANZIGERs listed and more or less information
about the persons listed, some - eg Adriaantje mirjam Joseph DANZIGER -
was born in Danzig, others were born in Amsterdam, but judging >from the
surname they probably have some connection to Danzig.

Best regards

Moderator of the
Latvia, Danzig and Scandinavia SIG mailing lists
Elsebeth Paikin, Copenhagen, Denmark
e-mail: elsebeth@paikin.dk
-------------------------------------------------

I recently learned that my grandmother brought two brothers over >from
the Cmeilow area of Poland after World War II to Toronto, Canada. They
were about 18 to 20 years of age at the time, with the surname
TEITELBAUM. They would have been born between
1921-1929 in or near Cmeilow Poland. They were housepainters.
According to an aunt, they left Toronto and moved to Detroit.
Apparently, they also either changed or shortened their surname.
Any information would be welcome. Please respond to
me privately. thankyou
sharon brown
sharonb2468@yahoo.com

To all the Genners who so graciously helped translate a photo inscription

from the Yiddish (which turned out to be Hebrew), I thank you one and all.

It has given me a new direction to do some more research.

Very appreciatively,
Ruth Grant, nee Smulowitz
Scarborough, Maine

To all the Genners who so graciously helped translate a photo inscription

from the Yiddish (which turned out to be Hebrew), I thank you one and all.

It has given me a new direction to do some more research.

Very appreciatively,
Ruth Grant, nee Smulowitz
Scarborough, Maine

The 1890 New York City Police Census was done for the then entity of New
York County which included Manhattan and west Bronx. It was done as a
response to a perceived undercount of residents in that area. Because it
was a fast and "dirty" count, it was done by Police and they only put down
the names of the people, ages, and where they lived on the census. Thus
there isn't much information there for researchers. The census has been
filmed by the FHL.

Howard Jensen published an "Aid to Finding Addresses in the 1890 New York
City Police Census". It apparently was a self-published work, and if the
poster yesterday is correct, the book is now out of print.

Mr. Jensen is supposed to be a volunteer at the Pinellas Genealogy Society
at the Largo, Florida local library. If any JewishGenner can locate Mr.
Jensen, I think we would be willing to post his finding aid on the Morse One
Step site, giving due credit to his efforts. Please let him contact me.

Joel Weintraub
Dana Point, CA

The 1890 New York City Police Census was done for the then entity of New
York County which included Manhattan and west Bronx. It was done as a
response to a perceived undercount of residents in that area. Because it
was a fast and "dirty" count, it was done by Police and they only put down
the names of the people, ages, and where they lived on the census. Thus
there isn't much information there for researchers. The census has been
filmed by the FHL.

Howard Jensen published an "Aid to Finding Addresses in the 1890 New York
City Police Census". It apparently was a self-published work, and if the
poster yesterday is correct, the book is now out of print.

Mr. Jensen is supposed to be a volunteer at the Pinellas Genealogy Society
at the Largo, Florida local library. If any JewishGenner can locate Mr.
Jensen, I think we would be willing to post his finding aid on the Morse One
Step site, giving due credit to his efforts. Please let him contact me.

Joel Weintraub
Dana Point, CA

For the month of June 2006 we posted three new entries and nine
updates. All can be accessed at
http://www.jewishgen.org/Yizkor/translations.html. Flags are
appended in the alphabetical listings for new material.

New entries:

-Korczyna, Poland: Pinkas HaKehillot Poland, vol. III
-Joniskelis, Lithuania: Pinkas HaKehillot Lita
-Pusalotas, Lithuania: Pinkas HaKehillot Lita

Updates:

-Borshchev, Ukraine: Sefer Borszczow
-Dembitz, Poland
-Holocaust in Belarus
-Kalusz, Ukraine
-Lanovtsy, Ukraine
-Novy Sacz, Poland
-Ryki, Poland (Polish translation of Pinkas HaKehillot chapter):
http://www.jewishgen.org/Yizkor/pinkas_poland/pol7_00550p.html
-Sosnowiec, Poland
-Zaglembia, Poland

Please contact me privately if you are interested in coordinating a
yizkor book translation project or in translating a chapter or
chapters >from the Pinkas HaKehillot volumes. Under Regions on the
Yizkor Book Translation Index page at
http://www.jewishgen.org/Yizkor/translations.html you will find the
tables of contents for Pinkas HaKehillot volumes on Greece, Hungary,
Latvia and Estonia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and
Yugoslavia. All volumes are written in Hebrew. Translated chapters
are highlighted in blue; all remaining chapters in the tables of
contents are available for translation. We do not have the
translated table of contents for the volumes on Germany, Netherlands,
and Tunisia. If you are willing to translate these, please contact
me.

Joyce Field JewishGen VP, Data Acquisition <jfield@nlci.com>

For the month of June 2006 we posted three new entries and nine
updates. All can be accessed at
http://www.jewishgen.org/Yizkor/translations.html. Flags are
appended in the alphabetical listings for new material.

New entries:

-Korczyna, Poland: Pinkas HaKehillot Poland, vol. III
-Joniskelis, Lithuania: Pinkas HaKehillot Lita
-Pusalotas, Lithuania: Pinkas HaKehillot Lita

Updates:

-Borshchev, Ukraine: Sefer Borszczow
-Dembitz, Poland
-Holocaust in Belarus
-Kalusz, Ukraine
-Lanovtsy, Ukraine
-Novy Sacz, Poland
-Ryki, Poland (Polish translation of Pinkas HaKehillot chapter):
http://www.jewishgen.org/Yizkor/pinkas_poland/pol7_00550p.html
-Sosnowiec, Poland
-Zaglembia, Poland

Please contact me privately if you are interested in coordinating a
yizkor book translation project or in translating a chapter or
chapters >from the Pinkas HaKehillot volumes. Under Regions on the
Yizkor Book Translation Index page at
http://www.jewishgen.org/Yizkor/translations.html you will find the
tables of contents for Pinkas HaKehillot volumes on Greece, Hungary,
Latvia and Estonia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and
Yugoslavia. All volumes are written in Hebrew. Translated chapters
are highlighted in blue; all remaining chapters in the tables of
contents are available for translation. We do not have the
translated table of contents for the volumes on Germany, Netherlands,
and Tunisia. If you are willing to translate these, please contact
me.

Joyce Field JewishGen VP, Data Acquisition <jfield@nlci.com>

Dear Daniel,
please check the Dutch Jewish Database
http://shum.huji.ac.il/~dutchjew/genealog/ashkenazi/index.htm
for the name LIEBMAN/LIEPMAN, there are two entries (Halberstadt), that
might be interesting for you. If you click on the names, more information
becomes available.

Christopher Massur, Curaçao <cmassur@hotmail.com>

Subject: RACHLES family >from Halberstadt
From: "Daniel Raye" <danraye@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 2 Jul 2006 21:26:46 +0200

_________________________________________________________________
Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! Download today it's FREE!
http://messenger.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200471ave/direct/01/

Dear Daniel,
please check the Dutch Jewish Database
http://shum.huji.ac.il/~dutchjew/genealog/ashkenazi/index.htm
for the name LIEBMAN/LIEPMAN, there are two entries (Halberstadt), that
might be interesting for you. If you click on the names, more information
becomes available.

Christopher Massur, Curaçao <cmassur@hotmail.com>

Subject: RACHLES family >from Halberstadt
From: "Daniel Raye" <danraye@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 2 Jul 2006 21:26:46 +0200

_________________________________________________________________
Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! Download today it's FREE!
http://messenger.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200471ave/direct/01/

forwarded by David Connor
=====================

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia
LATVIA'S HISTORY: EDUCATION, REMEMBRANCE, RESEARCH
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

LATVIA'S HISTORY: EDUCATION, REMEMBRANCE, RESEARCH
March – June 2006 (35)

HEADLINES
The project "Documentary film on Latvian Jews" to be completed in June
Restored synagogue re-consecrated in Daugavpils
The President of Latvia becomes patroness of the Mark Rothko Centre for Art
and Education
A Jewish museum to be established in the Liepaja Jewish Community House
Exhibition on the Latvian Jewish Community presented in Prague
Representatives of national minorities are presented with books on the
Holocaust
Latvian officials meet with representatives >from the American Jewish
Committee

The project "Documentary film on Latvian Jews" to be completed in June
Work on a documentary film on Latvian Jews by director and producer Andris
Gauja is coming to a close. At the beginning of May the creative team of the
filming group will go to Israel to record on film also those Jews who – for
their own reasons - have moved to live in Israel.
Although the largest wave of repatriation to Israel has ended, each year
quite a large number of Jewish families move >from Latvia to Israel.
The makers of the documentary film wish to follow the steps of these people
in order to understand what it is that makes people change their lives so
fundamentally, and how Latvian Jews have found their place in society in
Israel. The creative team of the film group - Andris Gauja, operator Raits
Valters and editor Gundega Gauja – will visit Latvian Jews in Tel Aviv,
Jerusalem and other locations throughout Israel. Among the people to be
interviewed there are a number of interesting personalities whose life
stories tell of two completely different realities – that of Latvia and of
Israel.
One of the basic questions the hour-long film asks is, how great a
significance in the life of Latvian Jews is played by traditions and
national awareness. It will be interesting, therefore, to show the audience
not only the life of local Jews in Latvia, but also how Latvian Jews find
their place in society in Israel where religion and traditions play a much
larger role.
The film is intended for the widest audience, but the authors of the film
consider that it is especially important to address young people – the
students of secondary schools and universities. At the conclusion of the
project – end of June – all secondary schools and universities in Latvia
will be presented with copies of the film which they will be able to show
according to the view of their instructors. It is planned to also show the
film on television.
After completion of the project five seminars will be organised in regions
of Latvia in order to directly address young people in schools and
universities who will not only have the opportunity to view the film but
also to become involved in mutual dialogue which in turn will promote public
understanding of the Jewish people.
The film is being made under a project of the PHARE grant programme
"Promoting social integration in Latvia" which was announced by the Social
Integration Fund.
The project "Documentary film on Latvian Jews. The role of traditions and
differences in present day Latvia" is being implemented by the organisation
"Media projects of historic places" in co-operation with the Latvian Centre
for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies and in consultation with affiliated
partners – the Latvian Centre for Judaic Studies and the Latvian Jewish
Community and Congregation Council.


BNS (31.03.2006)

Restored synagogue is re-consecrated in Daugavpils

On 11 April in the centre of Daugavpils, the more than 150 years-old
synagogue was re-consecrated. Funds for the restoration of the synagogue
were donated by the family of the world famous artist Mark Rothko (1903 –
1970) (Kate and Christopher Rothko, the children of Mark Rothko in the
USA,), and the U.S. Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage
Abroad. The Daugavpils synagogue, which is the second largest Jewish prayer
house after the Riga synagogue, was restored in honour of the artist's
hundredth birthday.
In her address, President Vaira Vike-Freiberga noted that: "today is a
historic moment not only for Daugavpils but for all of Latvia because for
the first time after the Second World War a synagogue has been restored in
Latvia. It is symbolic that this restored synagogue is opened in the Spring,
which proves to us that there is rebirth after death and destruction, and I
wish that this prayer house would serve families and their children who will
come here to pray for years to come, and will also serve as a cultural
centre where members of the Jewish community may learn not only their own
traditions but also the common history and traditions of Latvia."
The President also wished that the prayers which will be held in this
synagogue may help shape a better and more beautiful Daugavpils, Latvia and
the world.
According to the representative of the Daugavpils Jewish community, Anatoliy
Fishel, this synagogue, built in 1850, is one of the oldest buildings in
Daugavpils remaining untouched after World War II. Before 1940 there were
140 synagogues in Latvia, 40 of these were in Daugavpils.


President's Chancery (11.04.2006)
Anna Rancane, Diena (11.04.2006)


The President of Latvia becomes the Patroness of the Mark Rothko Centre for
Art and Education
The President of Latvia, Vaira Vike-Freiberga, became the patroness of the
project for the world famous artist Mark Rothko Centre for Art and
Education. The President emphasised to members of the Rothko family, the
Daugavpils City Council, and representatives of the U.S. Embassy and media
present, that the Mark Rothko Centre for Art and Education makes an
important contribution to the general growth and prosperity of Daugavpils,
"Daugavpils is not only a potential centre for commerce and business, it has
every opportunity to become an object of interest for Latvia, Europe and the
world, also in the field of art and culture."
The President thanked the Rothko family for its support for the
international Mark Rothko Centre for Art and Education in the historic
Daugavpils fortress.
At the Daugavpils City Council, the President was told of Daugavpils'
long-term development plans for increase in production, development of
infrastructure and in the fields of culture, sports and education.
President's Chancery (11.04.2006)

A Jewish museum to be established in the Liepaja Jewish Community House
A Liepaja Jewish museum is now being established in two rooms of the Liepaja
Jewish Community building planned to be opened this year. Until now, the
Riga Jewish Community museum "Jews in Latvia" was the only one in Latvia
dedicated to the history of Jews.
Before the Second World War, some 7,000 Jews lived in Liepaja and the
surrounding area. The community has learned of 6,321 names of Liepaja Jews
killed in the Holocaust. Only a few hundred Jews survived the Holocaust. A
large part of the exposition will be dedicated to events of the war. The
names of all known victims of the Holocaust in Liepaja will be listed in
three albums. There will also be a memorial for those 40 residents of
Liepaja who are known to have saved Jews >from annihilation.
Nora Drike, Diena (10.04.2006)

Exhibition of the Latvian Jewish Community presented in Prague
On 3 May 2006, the exhibitions Latvian Jewish Community: Its History,
Tragedy and Rebirth and Latvian Children Draw the Old Synagogues were opened
at the Jewish Museum in Prague.
At the opening of the exhibition, Professor Ina Druviete spoke of the
significance of Holocaust education in Latvia in the building of a
democratic and integrated community and how important it was "…for us to
remember what happened; to know and to respect the past and to be able to
value the present." The Executive Director of the Shamir Jewish Community in
Riga, Ilana Lisagora, expressed the hope that these exhibitions would help
to form a tolerant community, extend knowledge and raise interest about
Jewish history and culture which constitutes a significant part of the
history of Latvia's multinational culture.
The exhibition has been prepared by the Latvian Foreign Ministry and the
Jewish Museum of Riga and relates the history of the Jewish community
between the 16th and early 20th centuries, about the tragic fate of the
Jewish people during World War II, the Jewish saviours in Latvia and on
Latvia's current political attitude to research and remembrance of the
Holocaust. The exhibition of children's drawings has been prepared by the
Jewish religious community Shamir in co-operation with UNESCO, with
participants >from 40 schools >from all over Latvia. On 2 May, a
representative of the Latvian State Historical Archive, Rita Bogdanova,
delivered a lecture on the history of the Jews in Latvia.
The opening of the exhibition also hosted a performance by the clarinet
quartet of the Headquarters of the National Armed Forces of Latvia which
presented works by Czech and Latvian composers.
In early May, Prague will host a broad cultural programme >from Latvia. This
year Latvia will be an honorary guest at the international book fair Svet
Knihy, which will also be attended by 18 writers >from Latvia. Altogether,
forty events dedicated to Latvian literature and culture will be held in
Prague.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs (05.05.2006)


Representatives of national minorities presented with books on the Holocaust

On 16 May the writer Leonid Kovals and the Minister for Special Assignments
for Social Integration, Karina Petersone, presented the books "Kniga
spasenija" ("The Rescue Book", I un II) and "Kniga spasitelej" ("The
Saviours' Book", III) to representatives of national minority organisations
throughout Latvia.
Leonid Kovals is President of the Jurmala Jewish Community and the
Organisation of history of the Jewish ghetto and genocide. His work is a
trilogy of the history of victims of the Holocaust and the people who
protected the Jewish nation.
"This book is like a record which has preserved the voice of history", said
the writer Mikhail Zorin. "Kniga spasenija" un "Kniga spasitelej" are very
important historically, informative and educational, but at the same time
also a very personal and communicating resource", indicated Petersone.
Delivery and distribution of the book is ensured by the Department of
National Minorities of the Secretariat. A number of national minority
organisations have applied for copies of the book.
LETA (11.05.2006)

Latvian officials meet with representatives >from American Jewish Committee
On 21 June 2006, the President of Latvia, Vaira Vike-Freiberga, met the
representatives of the American Jewish Committee, headed by Executive
Director David Harris. The Committee highly appreciated and expressed its
recognition of the President's state visit to Israel in February as well as
evaluated the President's address to the joint session of the U.S. Congress
in Washington, D.C. on 7 June as principal and impressive. The President in
her turn appreciated the significant and sincere state visit of the
President of Israel to Latvia last September. David Harris admitted that
however a small country, Latvia has a strong voice and to a large extent
this is due to the President of Latvia who has not only facilitated the
recognizability of Latvia in the world map, but also drawn global attention
to Latvia.
During the meeting the parties discussed the progress of the UN reform
issues as well as current developments in Europe. Regarding the forms of
radicalism in Europe and the world the President pointed out that in Latvia
pupils are taught tolerance issues at school.
On the same day, Prime Minister Aigars Kalvitis, also had a meeting with the
delegation of the American Jewish Committee. Mr David Harris acknowledged
the relations of Latvia and the United States, Latvia's support to the
United States in protecting such values as democracy and human rights, as
well as participation in the military mission in Iraq and Afghanistan. The
guests informed their host that the American Jewish Committee had urged the
United States to establish diplomatic relations with the Baltic States as
early as 1990, and it also advocated a more favourable U.S. visa regime for
Latvia's citizens.
Mr Kalvitis expressed Latvia's gratitude for support of the United States in
restoring Latvia's independence and emphasised that the United States of
America is the main partner of Latvia. The Prime Minister also underlined
support of the Baltic States to co-operation between the United States and
the European Union.
The Latvian Prime Minister pointed to the active political dialogue and
growing economic co-operation between Latvia and the United States, and
invited an increase in U.S. investments in the manufacturing and information
technologies and to promote business contacts.
The parties discussed the life and activities of the Jewish community in
Latvia. The delegation of the American Jewish Committee thanked the Latvian
Government for its initiatives in the draft law on restitutions.
The parties also exchanged views on the democratic processes in Ukraine,
Moldova, Georgia and the situation in Belarus. Aigars Kalvitis stressed
Latvia's readiness to co-operate with its neighbours and to share its reform
experience.
The Prime Minister emphasised that the Latvian Government is endeavouring to
form pragmatic relations with Russia and informed his guests about the
recent meeting with senior Russian officials, as well as about the
successful visit of His Holiness Alexy II, Patriarch of Moscow and all
Russia, to Latvia.
Latvian Foreign Minister Artis Pabriks also met with a delegation of the
American Jewish Committee, headed by its Executive Director, Rabbi David A.
Harris. During the meeting, Mr Pabriks emphasised Latvia's interest in
establishing a visa-free regime with the United States as soon as possible
to strengthen relations between both countries.
The delegation representatives noted that they are aware of the situation
and expressed their continued support for a positive settlement of the
issue.
During the meeting, Committee representatives expressed their gratitude to
Minister Pabriks for his contribution to the development of positive
relations with the United States and with Israel. The Committee delegation
highly rated the organisational arrangements for the conference on the
Holocaust to be held in Riga on 5-6 July, and invited participants to pay
special attention to the educational issues of the Holocaust.
The parties also considered a number of regional and global issues which are
currently important at the international level as well as discussed domestic
policy in Latvia and in the United States.
The meeting with the American Jewish Committee was also attended by the
Chairman of the Latvian Council of Jewish Parishes and Communities, Arkadijs
Suharenko, and the State Secretary of the Latvian Ministry of Culture,
Solvita Zvidrina.
President's Chancery (21.06.2006)
The Cabinet of Ministers (21.06.2006)
Ministry of Foreign Affairs (21.06.2006)


Newsletter "Latvia's History: Education, Remembrance, Research" is a
compilation of press releases and news reports drawn >from the media and
official sources.


This message online:
http://www.mfa.gov.lv/en/news/Newsletters/History/2006/35/
---------
HISTORY is e-newsletter that covers most important issues related to
education, remembrance and research on the Holocaust and other crimes
against humanity committed in the territory of Latvia

To SUBSCRIBE visit our web subscription centre at:
http://www.am.gov.lv/en/subscribe/

Read all of PAST ISSUES at:
http://www.am.gov.lv/en/news/newsletters/History/

---------------------
Your suggestions about this service are welcome at webmaster@mfa.gov.lv

http://www.mfa.gov.lv/

forwarded by David Connor
=====================

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia
LATVIA'S HISTORY: EDUCATION, REMEMBRANCE, RESEARCH
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

LATVIA'S HISTORY: EDUCATION, REMEMBRANCE, RESEARCH
March – June 2006 (35)

HEADLINES
The project "Documentary film on Latvian Jews" to be completed in June
Restored synagogue re-consecrated in Daugavpils
The President of Latvia becomes patroness of the Mark Rothko Centre for Art
and Education
A Jewish museum to be established in the Liepaja Jewish Community House
Exhibition on the Latvian Jewish Community presented in Prague
Representatives of national minorities are presented with books on the
Holocaust
Latvian officials meet with representatives >from the American Jewish
Committee

The project "Documentary film on Latvian Jews" to be completed in June
Work on a documentary film on Latvian Jews by director and producer Andris
Gauja is coming to a close. At the beginning of May the creative team of the
filming group will go to Israel to record on film also those Jews who – for
their own reasons - have moved to live in Israel.
Although the largest wave of repatriation to Israel has ended, each year
quite a large number of Jewish families move >from Latvia to Israel.
The makers of the documentary film wish to follow the steps of these people
in order to understand what it is that makes people change their lives so
fundamentally, and how Latvian Jews have found their place in society in
Israel. The creative team of the film group - Andris Gauja, operator Raits
Valters and editor Gundega Gauja – will visit Latvian Jews in Tel Aviv,
Jerusalem and other locations throughout Israel. Among the people to be
interviewed there are a number of interesting personalities whose life
stories tell of two completely different realities – that of Latvia and of
Israel.
One of the basic questions the hour-long film asks is, how great a
significance in the life of Latvian Jews is played by traditions and
national awareness. It will be interesting, therefore, to show the audience
not only the life of local Jews in Latvia, but also how Latvian Jews find
their place in society in Israel where religion and traditions play a much
larger role.
The film is intended for the widest audience, but the authors of the film
consider that it is especially important to address young people – the
students of secondary schools and universities. At the conclusion of the
project – end of June – all secondary schools and universities in Latvia
will be presented with copies of the film which they will be able to show
according to the view of their instructors. It is planned to also show the
film on television.
After completion of the project five seminars will be organised in regions
of Latvia in order to directly address young people in schools and
universities who will not only have the opportunity to view the film but
also to become involved in mutual dialogue which in turn will promote public
understanding of the Jewish people.
The film is being made under a project of the PHARE grant programme
"Promoting social integration in Latvia" which was announced by the Social
Integration Fund.
The project "Documentary film on Latvian Jews. The role of traditions and
differences in present day Latvia" is being implemented by the organisation
"Media projects of historic places" in co-operation with the Latvian Centre
for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies and in consultation with affiliated
partners – the Latvian Centre for Judaic Studies and the Latvian Jewish
Community and Congregation Council.


BNS (31.03.2006)

Restored synagogue is re-consecrated in Daugavpils

On 11 April in the centre of Daugavpils, the more than 150 years-old
synagogue was re-consecrated. Funds for the restoration of the synagogue
were donated by the family of the world famous artist Mark Rothko (1903 –
1970) (Kate and Christopher Rothko, the children of Mark Rothko in the
USA,), and the U.S. Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage
Abroad. The Daugavpils synagogue, which is the second largest Jewish prayer
house after the Riga synagogue, was restored in honour of the artist's
hundredth birthday.
In her address, President Vaira Vike-Freiberga noted that: "today is a
historic moment not only for Daugavpils but for all of Latvia because for
the first time after the Second World War a synagogue has been restored in
Latvia. It is symbolic that this restored synagogue is opened in the Spring,
which proves to us that there is rebirth after death and destruction, and I
wish that this prayer house would serve families and their children who will
come here to pray for years to come, and will also serve as a cultural
centre where members of the Jewish community may learn not only their own
traditions but also the common history and traditions of Latvia."
The President also wished that the prayers which will be held in this
synagogue may help shape a better and more beautiful Daugavpils, Latvia and
the world.
According to the representative of the Daugavpils Jewish community, Anatoliy
Fishel, this synagogue, built in 1850, is one of the oldest buildings in
Daugavpils remaining untouched after World War II. Before 1940 there were
140 synagogues in Latvia, 40 of these were in Daugavpils.


President's Chancery (11.04.2006)
Anna Rancane, Diena (11.04.2006)


The President of Latvia becomes the Patroness of the Mark Rothko Centre for
Art and Education
The President of Latvia, Vaira Vike-Freiberga, became the patroness of the
project for the world famous artist Mark Rothko Centre for Art and
Education. The President emphasised to members of the Rothko family, the
Daugavpils City Council, and representatives of the U.S. Embassy and media
present, that the Mark Rothko Centre for Art and Education makes an
important contribution to the general growth and prosperity of Daugavpils,
"Daugavpils is not only a potential centre for commerce and business, it has
every opportunity to become an object of interest for Latvia, Europe and the
world, also in the field of art and culture."
The President thanked the Rothko family for its support for the
international Mark Rothko Centre for Art and Education in the historic
Daugavpils fortress.
At the Daugavpils City Council, the President was told of Daugavpils'
long-term development plans for increase in production, development of
infrastructure and in the fields of culture, sports and education.
President's Chancery (11.04.2006)

A Jewish museum to be established in the Liepaja Jewish Community House
A Liepaja Jewish museum is now being established in two rooms of the Liepaja
Jewish Community building planned to be opened this year. Until now, the
Riga Jewish Community museum "Jews in Latvia" was the only one in Latvia
dedicated to the history of Jews.
Before the Second World War, some 7,000 Jews lived in Liepaja and the
surrounding area. The community has learned of 6,321 names of Liepaja Jews
killed in the Holocaust. Only a few hundred Jews survived the Holocaust. A
large part of the exposition will be dedicated to events of the war. The
names of all known victims of the Holocaust in Liepaja will be listed in
three albums. There will also be a memorial for those 40 residents of
Liepaja who are known to have saved Jews >from annihilation.
Nora Drike, Diena (10.04.2006)

Exhibition of the Latvian Jewish Community presented in Prague
On 3 May 2006, the exhibitions Latvian Jewish Community: Its History,
Tragedy and Rebirth and Latvian Children Draw the Old Synagogues were opened
at the Jewish Museum in Prague.
At the opening of the exhibition, Professor Ina Druviete spoke of the
significance of Holocaust education in Latvia in the building of a
democratic and integrated community and how important it was "…for us to
remember what happened; to know and to respect the past and to be able to
value the present." The Executive Director of the Shamir Jewish Community in
Riga, Ilana Lisagora, expressed the hope that these exhibitions would help
to form a tolerant community, extend knowledge and raise interest about
Jewish history and culture which constitutes a significant part of the
history of Latvia's multinational culture.
The exhibition has been prepared by the Latvian Foreign Ministry and the
Jewish Museum of Riga and relates the history of the Jewish community
between the 16th and early 20th centuries, about the tragic fate of the
Jewish people during World War II, the Jewish saviours in Latvia and on
Latvia's current political attitude to research and remembrance of the
Holocaust. The exhibition of children's drawings has been prepared by the
Jewish religious community Shamir in co-operation with UNESCO, with
participants >from 40 schools >from all over Latvia. On 2 May, a
representative of the Latvian State Historical Archive, Rita Bogdanova,
delivered a lecture on the history of the Jews in Latvia.
The opening of the exhibition also hosted a performance by the clarinet
quartet of the Headquarters of the National Armed Forces of Latvia which
presented works by Czech and Latvian composers.
In early May, Prague will host a broad cultural programme >from Latvia. This
year Latvia will be an honorary guest at the international book fair Svet
Knihy, which will also be attended by 18 writers >from Latvia. Altogether,
forty events dedicated to Latvian literature and culture will be held in
Prague.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs (05.05.2006)


Representatives of national minorities presented with books on the Holocaust

On 16 May the writer Leonid Kovals and the Minister for Special Assignments
for Social Integration, Karina Petersone, presented the books "Kniga
spasenija" ("The Rescue Book", I un II) and "Kniga spasitelej" ("The
Saviours' Book", III) to representatives of national minority organisations
throughout Latvia.
Leonid Kovals is President of the Jurmala Jewish Community and the
Organisation of history of the Jewish ghetto and genocide. His work is a
trilogy of the history of victims of the Holocaust and the people who
protected the Jewish nation.
"This book is like a record which has preserved the voice of history", said
the writer Mikhail Zorin. "Kniga spasenija" un "Kniga spasitelej" are very
important historically, informative and educational, but at the same time
also a very personal and communicating resource", indicated Petersone.
Delivery and distribution of the book is ensured by the Department of
National Minorities of the Secretariat. A number of national minority
organisations have applied for copies of the book.
LETA (11.05.2006)

Latvian officials meet with representatives >from American Jewish Committee
On 21 June 2006, the President of Latvia, Vaira Vike-Freiberga, met the
representatives of the American Jewish Committee, headed by Executive
Director David Harris. The Committee highly appreciated and expressed its
recognition of the President's state visit to Israel in February as well as
evaluated the President's address to the joint session of the U.S. Congress
in Washington, D.C. on 7 June as principal and impressive. The President in
her turn appreciated the significant and sincere state visit of the
President of Israel to Latvia last September. David Harris admitted that
however a small country, Latvia has a strong voice and to a large extent
this is due to the President of Latvia who has not only facilitated the
recognizability of Latvia in the world map, but also drawn global attention
to Latvia.
During the meeting the parties discussed the progress of the UN reform
issues as well as current developments in Europe. Regarding the forms of
radicalism in Europe and the world the President pointed out that in Latvia
pupils are taught tolerance issues at school.
On the same day, Prime Minister Aigars Kalvitis, also had a meeting with the
delegation of the American Jewish Committee. Mr David Harris acknowledged
the relations of Latvia and the United States, Latvia's support to the
United States in protecting such values as democracy and human rights, as
well as participation in the military mission in Iraq and Afghanistan. The
guests informed their host that the American Jewish Committee had urged the
United States to establish diplomatic relations with the Baltic States as
early as 1990, and it also advocated a more favourable U.S. visa regime for
Latvia's citizens.
Mr Kalvitis expressed Latvia's gratitude for support of the United States in
restoring Latvia's independence and emphasised that the United States of
America is the main partner of Latvia. The Prime Minister also underlined
support of the Baltic States to co-operation between the United States and
the European Union.
The Latvian Prime Minister pointed to the active political dialogue and
growing economic co-operation between Latvia and the United States, and
invited an increase in U.S. investments in the manufacturing and information
technologies and to promote business contacts.
The parties discussed the life and activities of the Jewish community in
Latvia. The delegation of the American Jewish Committee thanked the Latvian
Government for its initiatives in the draft law on restitutions.
The parties also exchanged views on the democratic processes in Ukraine,
Moldova, Georgia and the situation in Belarus. Aigars Kalvitis stressed
Latvia's readiness to co-operate with its neighbours and to share its reform
experience.
The Prime Minister emphasised that the Latvian Government is endeavouring to
form pragmatic relations with Russia and informed his guests about the
recent meeting with senior Russian officials, as well as about the
successful visit of His Holiness Alexy II, Patriarch of Moscow and all
Russia, to Latvia.
Latvian Foreign Minister Artis Pabriks also met with a delegation of the
American Jewish Committee, headed by its Executive Director, Rabbi David A.
Harris. During the meeting, Mr Pabriks emphasised Latvia's interest in
establishing a visa-free regime with the United States as soon as possible
to strengthen relations between both countries.
The delegation representatives noted that they are aware of the situation
and expressed their continued support for a positive settlement of the
issue.
During the meeting, Committee representatives expressed their gratitude to
Minister Pabriks for his contribution to the development of positive
relations with the United States and with Israel. The Committee delegation
highly rated the organisational arrangements for the conference on the
Holocaust to be held in Riga on 5-6 July, and invited participants to pay
special attention to the educational issues of the Holocaust.
The parties also considered a number of regional and global issues which are
currently important at the international level as well as discussed domestic
policy in Latvia and in the United States.
The meeting with the American Jewish Committee was also attended by the
Chairman of the Latvian Council of Jewish Parishes and Communities, Arkadijs
Suharenko, and the State Secretary of the Latvian Ministry of Culture,
Solvita Zvidrina.
President's Chancery (21.06.2006)
The Cabinet of Ministers (21.06.2006)
Ministry of Foreign Affairs (21.06.2006)


Newsletter "Latvia's History: Education, Remembrance, Research" is a
compilation of press releases and news reports drawn >from the media and
official sources.


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