Latvia

Hanukkah play in the Riga Jewish community center. Before 1939, the JCC had been the Jewish Theater of Riga. During the communist decades, it belonged to the state and there was no real Jewish community for forty years. Since Latvia's independence, Latvia's 12,000 Jews have re-invented their community and its programs. This Hanukkah party and play was held in the old Jewish Theater, which is now the JCC. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

Seniors' Yiddish choir in the Riga JCC. Some two dozen elderly people gathered each day for a hot lunch, a little kibbutzing, a little singing...An activity supported by JDC. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

. Hanukkah play in the Riga Jewish community center. Before 1939, the JCC had been the Jewish Theater of Riga. During the communist decades, it belonged to the state and there was no real Jewish community for forty years. Since Latvia's independence, Latvia's 12,000 Jews have re-invented their community and its programs. This Hanukkah party and play was held in the old Jewish Theater, which is now the JCC. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

Victoria Gubatova, left, and Gita Dickman, two Buncher Leadership Seminar graduates, in the Riga JCC. Both work for the community and are in charge of creating program. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

Hanukkah play in the Riga Jewish community center. Before 1939, the JCC had been the Jewish Theater of Riga. During the communist decades, it belonged to the state and there was no real Jewish community for forty years. Since Latvia's independence, Latvia's 12,000 Jews have re-invented their community and its programs. This Hanukkah party and play was held in the old Jewish Theater, which is now the JCC. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

At the Lubavitscher Hanukkah lighting ceremony in a park in central Riga. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

Yarik Mashutin, a Jewish youth leader in Riga, at the menorah lighting ceremony. January, 1970 Latvia Riga

Lubavitch rabbi lights Hanukkah menorah in a park in the center of Riga. Around 300 people attended. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

At the Lubavitch Hanukkah party in Riga. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

Nina Erdelstein, 80 yrs old, belts out a Yiddish song. Mrs Erdelstein is the lead singer for the seniors' choir. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

At the seniors' Hanukkah party and dinner in the Riga JCC. Around 250 people attended. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

Sergey Rozensweig is the dance instructor at the Riga JCC and some of his students in the background. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

Hanukkah dinner in the Riga JCC. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

In the JDC supported kosher kitchen in the Riga Jewish community center. Nearly 300 elderly Jews received either hot meals or food packages in Riga. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

In the JDC supported kosher kitchen in the Riga Jewish community center. Nearly 300 elderly Jews received either hot meals or food packages in Riga. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

In the JDC supported kosher kitchen in the Riga Jewish community center. Nearly 300 elderly Jews received either hot meals or food packages in Riga. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

In the JDC supported kosher kitchen in the Riga Jewish community center. Nearly 300 elderly Jews received either hot meals or food packages in Riga. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

In the JDC supported kosher kitchen in the Riga Jewish community center. Nearly 300 elderly Jews received either hot meals or food packages in Riga. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

Vera Prohova, 80 years old, is a patient of the Riga Jewish Hospital. Built in the 1920s, the hospital was taken over by the Soviets in 1940, then the Nazis in 1941. After the war, it remained in Soviet hands until restituted-- in extremely run down condition-- to the Jewish community in 1991. The community is now struggling to rebuild it so that that the Jewish hospital will better serve Latvia's Jews, as well as others. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

Patient in the drunk ward in the Riga Jewish Hospital. Built in the 1920s, the hospital was taken over by the Soviets in 1940, then the Nazis in 1941. After the war, it remained in Soviet hands until restituted-- in extremely run down condition-- to the Jewish community in 1991. In order to earn money, the hospital runs Riga's only ward for drunks, and receives state funds to run the operation. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

Students from the Riga Jewish school on a field trip. The school opened in 1991 and has over 250 students, grades 1-12. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

Friends dancing at the seniors Hanukkah party in the Riga JCC. More than 400 elderly Jews in Latvia live alone, and the community tries to bring them in for a variety of programs. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

Dr Steve Kutner of Atlanta, GA, performs eye exam in Riga's Jewish Hospital. Kutner is the founder of Jewish Healthcare International, a confederation of American Jewish doctors who give up their vacations to help in Jewish communities in Eastern Europe. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

Dr Steve Kutner of Atlanta, GA, performs eye exam in Riga's Jewish Hospital. Kutner is the founder of Jewish Healthcare International, a confederation of American Jewish doctors who give up their vacations to help in Jewish communities in Eastern Europe. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

Dr Steve Kutner of Atlanta, GA, performs eye exam in Riga's Jewish Hospital. Kutner is the founder of Jewish Healthcare International, a confederation of American Jewish doctors who give up their vacations to help in Jewish communities in Eastern Europe. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

Dr Steve Kutner of Atlanta, GA, performs eye exam in Riga's Jewish Hospital. Kutner is the founder of Jewish Healthcare International, a confederation of American Jewish doctors who give up their vacations to help in Jewish communities in Eastern Europe. January, 1970 Latvia Riga

Hanukkah party at the Riga JCC. There had been no Jewish community center all during the Soviet decades. Some 12,000 live in all Latvia and most of those live in Riga. The community center seems to attract around 15% of that for one reason or another. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

Hanukkah party at the Riga JCC. There had been no Jewish community center all during the Soviet decades. Some 12,000 live in all Latvia and most of those live in Riga. The community center seems to attract around 15% of that for one reason or another. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

In the Riga Jewish school, where some 250 children attend, grades 1-12. No Jewish school existed during the Soviet decades. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

Dan Kaplan, foreground, is 16 yrs old. His sister left for Israel and he is thinking of where his own future lies. Of the 10 graduating students in this room, 6 have relatives in Israel. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

Dr Steve Kutner of Atlanta, GA, performs eye exam in Riga's Jewish Hospital. Kutner is the founder of Jewish Healthcare International, a confederation of American Jewish doctors who give up their vacations to help in Jewish communities in Eastern Europe. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

Vera Prohova, 80 years old, with the Jewish Hosptial's chief doctor, Renata Schatz. Built in the 1920s, the hospital was taken over by the Soviets in 1940, then the Nazis in 1941. After the war, it remained in Soviet hands until restituted-- in extremely run down condition-- to the Jewish community in 1991. In order to earn money, the hospital runs Riga's only ward for drunks, and receives state funds to run the operation. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

Built in the 1920s, the Riga Jewish Hospital was taken over by the Soviets in 1940, then the Nazis in 1941. After the war, it remained in Soviet hands until restituted-- in extremely run down condition-- to the Jewish community in 1991. In order to earn money, the hospital runs Riga's only ward for drunks, and receives state funds to run the operation. The proceeds are used to care for Jewish patients. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

Children practicing for their Hanukkah dance in the Riga JCC. Before 1939, the JCC had been the Jewish Theater of Riga. During the communist decades, it belonged to the state and there was no real Jewish community for forty years. Since Latvia's independence, Latvia's 12,000 Jews have re-invented their community and its programs. This Hanukkah party and play was held in the old Jewish Theater, which is now the JCC. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

Nearly 100 packages of dry food are distributed to needy old Latvian Jews. The Jewish communities of Norway, Denmark and Sweden-- the Baltic Jewish Forum-- and JDC, support the program. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

Built in the 1920s, the Riga Jewish Hospital was taken over by the Soviets in 1940, then the Nazis in 1941. After the war, it remained in Soviet hands until restituted-- in extremely run down condition-- to the Jewish community in 1991. In order to earn money, the hospital runs Riga's only ward for drunks, and receives state funds to run the operation. The proceeds are used to take care of Jewish patients. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

Field trip of the Jewish school. More than 250 children attend the school, which opened in 1991. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

Shayna Zilber, 80 years old, at the Hanukkah party in the Riga JCC. Mrs Zilber, a widow, comes to the community every day, sings in the choir, and speaks with her grandchildren every evening as she makes dinner for them. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

Children practicing their Hanukkah dance in the Riga Jewish community center. Before 1939, the JCC had been the Jewish Theater of Riga. During the communist decades, it belonged to the state and there was no real Jewish community for forty years. Since Latvia's independence, Latvia's 12,000 Jews have re-invented their community and its programs. This Hanukkah party and play was held in the old Jewish Theater, which is now the JCC. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

Grandmother and grandaughter at the rehearal for the Hanukkah play. More than 75 children participated and 500 people were in the audience. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

Grandmother and grandaughter at the rehearal for the Hanukkah play. More than 75 children participated and 500 people were in the audience. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

Hanukkah dance for 120 Jewish seniors in Riga in the JCC. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

Hanukkah dance for 120 Jewish seniors in Riga in the JCC. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

JLeva Lapkis, center, Stefan Husnutdinov, left, and Anna Cibusnik, right-- and other studets, lighting the Hanukkah menorrah in Riga. Younger Jews in Latvia are often torn between staying with their families and leaving for Israel. In the early years of Latvian independence, after 1991, a great many Latvian Jews left for Israel. By 2000, the numbers had greatly diminished, but the pull was still there. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

Jewish students at the Jewish Agency youth club, hamming it up on Friday night. On right is Stefan Husnutdinov, 16 yrs old. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

Bronja Basiliyeva is the waitress in the JDC supported soup kitchen in the Riga JCC. 65 people eat there each day and another 38 receive meals at home. Others get food packages. A total of 40 people volunteer in the soup kitchen. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

Morning service in the Riga synagogue. There are two daily prayer services-- orthodox and Lubavitch. This is the former. Some 20 (mostly) eldelry men come each day. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

Rabbi Natan Barkin. Born in Riga, he managed to work as a rabbi until the 1960s, when he left for Israel. Although he was 70 yrs old, he returned to Riga in 1991 when the country gained its independence. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

Rabbi Natan Barkin. Born in Riga, he managed to work as a rabbi until the 1960s, when he left for Israel. Although he was 70 yrs old, he returned to Riga in 1991 when the country gained its independence. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

Morning prayer service in the Riga synagogue. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

Kalman Freizus works for Rabbis Barkin and Bekker. He helps out in the synagogue and delivers food, medicine and money tothe people under the care of the synagogue, as well as two Righteous Gentiles. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

Rabbi Avi Bekker about to kill a chicken so that a Riga family will be able to eat kosher. Avi Bekker was born in Odessa. When he was 9 years old, he told his mother he was proud to be Russian. That's when he learned he was Jewish. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

A chicken about to become kosher. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

Olga Kateneva, 91 years old, is a Righteous Gentile who saved a Jewish family during the Second World War. She is looked after by the Riga Jewish community. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

At the Hanukkah performance in the Riga JCC, where 75 children performed, more than 500 people attended, and hundreds of rolls of film were shot by proud parents. After 1940 and before 1991, when Latvia achieved its independence, it would have been unthinkable to have a Hanukkah concert. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

At the Hanukkah performance in the Riga JCC, where 75 children performed, more than 500 people attended, and hundreds of rolls of film were shot by proud parents. After 1940 and before 1991, when Latvia achieved its independence, it would have been unthinkable to have a Hanukkah concert. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

German, a student at the Jewish High school, shows his Latvian passport, in which nationality (Latvian, Russian or Jewish) is required. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

At the Hanukkah performance in the Riga JCC, where 75 children performed, more than 500 people attended, and hundreds of rolls of film were shot by proud parents. After 1940 and before 1991, when Latvia achieved its independence, it would have been unthinkable to have a Hanukkah concert. January, 1970 Latvia Riga

At the Hanukkah performance in the Riga JCC, where 75 children performed, more than 500 people attended, and hundreds of rolls of film were shot by proud parents. After 1940 and before 1991, when Latvia achieved its independence, it would have been unthinkable to have a Hanukkah concert. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

At the Hanukkah performance in the Riga JCC, where 75 children performed, more than 500 people attended, and hundreds of rolls of film were shot by proud parents. After 1940 and before 1991, when Latvia achieved its independence, it would have been unthinkable to have a Hanukkah concert. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

At the Hanukkah performance in the Riga JCC, where 75 children performed, more than 500 people attended, and hundreds of rolls of film were shot by proud parents. After 1940 and before 1991, when Latvia achieved its independence, it would have been unthinkable to have a Hanukkah concert. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

At the Hanukkah performance in the Riga JCC, where 75 children performed, more than 500 people attended, and hundreds of rolls of film were shot by proud parents. After 1940 and before 1991, when Latvia achieved its independence, it would have been unthinkable to have a Hanukkah concert. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

At the Hanukkah performance in the Riga JCC, where 75 children performed, more than 500 people attended, and hundreds of rolls of film were shot by proud parents. After 1940 and before 1991, when Latvia achieved its independence, it would have been unthinkable to have a Hanukkah concert. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

At the Hanukkah performance in the Riga JCC, where 75 children performed, more than 500 people attended, and hundreds of rolls of film were shot by proud parents. After 1940 and before 1991, when Latvia achieved its independence, it would have been unthinkable to have a Hanukkah concert. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

Leo Lapkis lights the Hanukkah menorah in the Jewish Agency youth center in Riga. To the left stands Stefan Husnutdinov and on the right stands Yanna Rosenberg. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

Leo Lapkis lights the Hanukkah menorah in the Jewish Agency youth center in Riga. To the left stands Stefan Husnutdinov and on the right stands Yanna Rosenberg. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

The Intellectual's Club, a monthly meeting at the Rigaa JCC. The evenings are geared toward youngish Jewish professionals who are not involved with the community. Gita Dickman, a Buncher program graduate, created the program, which draws up to 75 people each time. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

The Intellectual's Club, a monthly meeting at the Rigaa JCC. The evenings are geared toward youngish Jewish professionals who are not involved with the community. Gita Dickman, a Buncher program graduate, created the program, which draws up to 75 people each time. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

Doctor and patient in the Riga Jewish Community Center office. Some 300 eldelry Jews rely on the community center for food, medicine or support in some way. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

Doctor and patient in the Riga Jewish Community Center office. Some 300 eldelry Jews rely on the community center for food, medicine or support in some way. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

Morning prayer service in the Riga synagogue. January, 1970 Latvia Riga

Rabbi Avi Bekker assists Rabbi Barkin in the synagogue. Avi Bekker was born in Odessa and had no contact with Jewish life until he was a teenager. He became more and more involved and studied for the rabbinate in Israel and the US. "I am trying to help young people. I don't make anyone religious; I am simply there to help them if they're interested." December, 2000 Latvia Riga

Rabbi Natan Barkin. Born in Riga, he managed to work as a rabbi until the 1960s, when he left for Israel. Although he was 70 yrs old, he returned to Riga in 1991 when the country gained its independence. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

Morning prayer services in the Riga synagogue. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

For all those who come to synagogue, Rabbi Barkan lays out a splendid spread afterwards of black bread, herring and lox, and youghurt. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

Kalman Freizus, who works for the small orthodox Jewish community in Riga, visiting Olga Kateneva, 91 years old, a Righteous Gentile who hid a Jewish family during World War Two. The Jews of Riga look after 27 Righteous Gentiles with food, medicine and social workers. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

Memorial for the slaughtered Jews of Latvia in the Rumbula Forest. More than 40,000 Jews were shot here-- from Germany and Austrian as well as Latvia. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

Memorial for the slaughtered Jews of Latvia in the Rumbula Forest. More than 40,000 Jews were shot here-- from Germany and Austrian as well as Latvia. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

Memorial for the slaughtered Jews of Latvia in the Rumbula Forest. More than 40,000 Jews were shot here-- from Germany and Austrian as well as Latvia. Sarah Segal, a 14 year old student in the Riga Jewish School, told me "36 people from my family were killed here." December, 2000 Latvia Riga

Alla Kolton, a student in the Jewish high school, in the Rumbula Forest, where over 40,000 Jews from Germany, Austria and Latvia were murdered during the war. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

Miron Novosilski, an 80 yr old retired ship engineer, is the judge of the annual Latvian potato latke (pancake) bake off. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

Contestants in the Latvian Latke Contest, from left to right:Marina Bubinda, 84 yrs oldAnna Reisburg, 73 yrs oldCelia Mirshalova, 80 yrs oldYenta Cizorkina, 69 yrs old December, 2000 Latvia Riga

Hannah and one of her charges in the community center. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

Hannah Finkelstein is the spirited director of the Jewish senior citizens dept in the Riga JCC. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

Drs Schatz, left, and Margolin, in the Riga Jewish Hospital, consulting on morning rounds. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

Piotr Casno, is 68 yearrs old, and a resident of the Jewish Hospital. He has Alzheimers disease and cannot care for himself. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

Patient in the Riga Jewish Hospital. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

Dr Renata Schatz, chief doctor in the Riga Jewish Hospital, on her morning rounds. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

Bronja Basiliyeva serves the food in the community kitchen. More than 65 people eat there daily and 38 recieve food at home. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

Seniors Yiddish choir in the Riga Jewish community center. 25 people sing there each week-- the youngest is 70, the oldest 95. They also get food and medicine free-- and none of them have any living relative, so the choir becomes their family. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

Seniors Yiddish choir in the Riga Jewish community center. 25 people sing there each week-- the youngest is 70, the oldest 95. They also get food and medicine free-- and none of them have any living relative, so the choir becomes their family. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

Nina Erdestlin, 83, belts out a song.Seniors Yiddish choir in the Riga Jewish community center. 25 people sing there each week-- the youngest is 70, the oldest 95. They also get food and medicine free-- and none of them have any living relative, so the choir becomes their family. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

Eye chart in the Riga Jewish Hospital. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

Dr Steve Kutner of Atlanta, GA, performs eye exam in Riga's Jewish Hospital. Kutner is the founder of Jewish Healthcare International, a confederation of American Jewish doctors who give up their vacations to help in Jewish communities in Eastern Europe. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

Dr Steve Kutner of Atlanta, GA, performs eye exam in Riga's Jewish Hospital. Kutner is the founder of Jewish Healthcare International, a confederation of American Jewish doctors who give up their vacations to help in Jewish communities in Eastern Europe. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

Dr Steve Kutner of Atlanta, GA, performs eye exam in Riga's Jewish Hospital. Kutner is the founder of Jewish Healthcare International, a confederation of American Jewish doctors who give up their vacations to help in Jewish communities in Eastern Europe. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

Dr Steve Kutner of Atlanta, GA, performs eye exam in Riga's Jewish Hospital. Kutner is the founder of Jewish Healthcare International, a confederation of American Jewish doctors who give up their vacations to help in Jewish communities in Eastern Europe. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

Dr Steve Kutner of Atlanta, GA, performs eye exam in Riga's Jewish Hospital. Kutner is the founder of Jewish Healthcare International, a confederation of American Jewish doctors who give up their vacations to help in Jewish communities in Eastern Europe. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

Dr Steve Kutner of Atlanta, GA, performs eye exam in Riga's Jewish Hospital. Kutner is the founder of Jewish Healthcare International, a confederation of American Jewish doctors who give up their vacations to help in Jewish communities in Eastern Europe. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

Dr Steve Kutner of Atlanta, GA, performs eye exam in Riga's Jewish Hospital. Kutner is the founder of Jewish Healthcare International, a confederation of American Jewish doctors who give up their vacations to help in Jewish communities in Eastern Europe. December, 2000 Latvia Riga

Alexander Bergmann visits Faina Teitelbaum, who is too ill to leave her apartment in Riga. July, 1997 Latvia Riga

Faina Teitelbaum is too ill to leave her apartment in Riga, and the Jewish community tends to her needs. July, 1997 Latvia Riga

Rumbula forest outside Riga, where tens of thousands of Jews were shot by the Germans. July, 1997 Latvia Riga

Rumbula forest outside Riga, where tens of thousands of Jews were shot by the Germans. July, 1997 Latvia Riga

Alexander Bergmann and a group of survivors of the Riga ghetto. They are standing in the ruins of a synagogue that was destroyed in early 1941, when it was filled with congregants and then set alight. July, 1997 Latvia Riga

Alexander Bergmann and a group of survivors of the Riga ghetto. They are standing in the ruins of a synagogue that was destroyed in early 1941, when it was filled with congregants and then set alight. July, 1997 Latvia Riga