Monument to Jewish soldiers killed near Liepaja during the Liberation war of Latvia in 1919

Thanks to the initiative and support of the open public fundation “Liepaja Jewish Heritage”, as well as donations from the Latvian Council of Jewish Communities, the charitable foundation”Heartbeat”, the Deift, Ratgauz and Novak families, the Monument to Jewish Warriors killed near Liepaja suring the war of Independence of Latvia was restored. On July 27, 2019 a solemn opening of the restored monument took place at the Liepāja Jewish Cemetery. The event plays an important role in the study and preservation of cultural and historical heritage. The monument to Jewish soldiers killed in defending Liepaja is a testimony of dignity and eternal memory of the modern society to the events and participants of the Latvia War of Independence.

before restoration

 

after restoration

History

The Monument to Jewish soldiers killed in Liepaja during the Liberation of Latvia

 

The Monument to Jewish soldiers killed near Liepaja during the Latvian Independence War was opened on October 13, 1934 on the Jewish cemetery in Liepaja

It was made by the Stone company of J. Āboliņš. On the front side of the monument it is written: “The SOLDIERS of the JEWISH NATIONALITY KILLED AT DEFENSE OF LIEPAJA IN NOVEMBER, 1919 (the list of the killed follows).

On the back it is written: “The MONUMENT IS CONSTRUCTED ON BEHALF OF THE LIEPAJA DEPARTMENT OF THE SOCIETY OF JEWISH LIBERATORS OF LATVIA. Liepaja 1934”.

A delegation of 40 members of the Society of Jewish Liberators of Latvia took part in the dedication of the Monument as well as the Central administration of the Society. Representatives of the Klaipeda Society of Jewish Liberators of Lithuania also took part in the ceremony.

Dedication of the Monument to jewish fighters for the Independence of Latvia is a manifestation of patriotism of the Jewish society in Liepaja that is an important step in rapprochement of the Jewish and Latvian cultures. Representative of the Prime minister and the Minister of Defence general F. Virsaitis, the chief of the Liepaja garrison colonel J. Ezeriņš, the chief of staff of the Courland division colonel A.Kripens, the chief of the Liepaja County and the commander of the 15th regiment K. Tikmanis, the Prefect of Liepaja F. Šaberts, the mayor E. Rimbenieks, etc. participated in the opening ceremony. Liepaja rabbis doctor A. Nurok and I. Polonsky and also representatives of the Jewish public organizations took part as well.

The chairman of the Society of Jewish Liberators of Latvia M. Eljašov in his address to the audience emphasized that jewish fighters shoulder to shoulder with Latvian heroes participated in the Latvian Liberation War. Cemeteries of the fallen Jewish Liberators in all parts of Latvia also testify this fact. They sacrified their lives for liberation of their homeland and for the benefit of all people living in Latvia.

At the dedication of the monument, the general F. Virsaitis expressed his gratitude to the Society of jewish Liberators of Latvia for thier efforts they have undertaken in construction of this important monument.

Rabbis doctor A. Nurok and I. Polonsky emphasized the importance of the historical value of the monument and the merit of the died Jewish soldiers for the benefit of the Latvian and Jewish people. Speaking at the dedication urged the youth to revere sacredly the memory of the fallen heroes and to follow their example if it is demanded by thier homeland.

The choir of the Liepaja Great Choral Synagogue and participants at the event sang the National anthem. The chief cantor L. Cipuks performed a prayer in memory of the died Liberators of Latvia.

 

From the anniversary almanac of the Society of Liberators of Latvia of a Jewish nationality( authentic translation), 1928.–1938.

 

Society of Jewish Veterans of the Latvian War of Independence

On November 1928, the Society of Jewis Veterans of the Latvian War of Independence was established in Riga. The initiators of the Society were I. Vaispaps, J. Fains and Z. Levinson. It was located at No. 45 Gertrudes St in Riga. Mikhail Elyashov became the chairman of the organization. The organization’s goal was to unite all Jews who participated in the Latvia’s Liberation Struggle (1918–1920), regardless of their political interests.The first board meeting was held on January 17, 1929. The Society united 548 members (in Riga – 316, in Liepaja – 171, in Daugavpils – 23), but by 1938 the number of members increased to 733

The organization issued the almanac Atbrīvotājs(the Liberator)

 

The Board and the audit commission of the Society of Jewish veterans of the Latvian War of Independence

 

Consecration of the flag of the Liepaja department of the Society of Jewish veterans of the Latvian War of Independence. The speech is delivered by the commander of the Courland division general Andrejs Krustinsh. 1930

 

Parade of Jewish veterans of the Latvian War of Independence on November 16, 1930.

About 2145 Jewish soldiers and 40 officers took part in the Latvian War of Independence, including senior lieutenant K. Arenshtam, M. Kramer, lieutenants E. Freidberg, R. Laters, and others. Some of them continued their service in the army during peacetime.

According to the archive data, at least four Jewish soldiers of the Latvian army – Robert Maleckis, sergeant Max Grings, as well as the soldier Joseph Hopps and his brother Sergeant Zamel Hopps were awarded the highest military award of Latvia – La

plēša War Order. Three Jewish soldiers were awarded the Order of the Three Stars for their selfless participation in the struggle for freedom. Not only mobilized Jews but also 380 volunteers served in the Latvian army. The oldest Jewish soldier, Haim Stein, was 59 years old in 1919, and the youngest – Kopel Gorelik (19.11.1908 – 27.06.1935) – 11. On June 28, 1919, he voluntarily joined the Latvian Army. It is a proof that many Jews felt inseparable from the land they were born and lived with, and were ready to fight and die for the future independent Latvia.

 

Memorial plaque to soldiers who died in the defense of Liepāja in 1919

On 7 April, 1935 the Liepāja Garrison Church and a memorial plaque to soldiers died in defense of Liepāja in 1919 were consecrated with the participation of the Archbishop Prof. Dr. T. Grinberg, Army Commander Gen. K. Berķis and others

Among the names of the 30 fallen liberators on the plaque there are four Jewish soldiers’ names: Lieutenant Laters Roberts, soldiers Bonks Haims, Baums Henrhs, Fridmans Elias.

In addition the Jewish soldiers Weiner Joseph and Usiker Isaac-Joseph also died in the defense of Liepaja. They are buried in the Liepaja Jewish cemetery next to the newly built monument.