Centuries of Jewish life
Jewish communities have lived in the territory of modern Latvia for centuries, developing synagogues, schools, commerce and religious and cultural traditions.
Visit resource ↗Before visiting: Synagogue access, tours, kosher services and Shabbat registration requirements can change. Contact each organization directly. Memorial sites are places of remembrance and should be visited respectfully.
Jewish history in Latvia
Riga’s Jewish cultural life
Before World War II, Riga supported Hebrew and Yiddish schools, congregations, cultural institutions and a substantial Jewish population.
Visit resource ↗The Holocaust in Latvia
Following German occupation in 1941, Jews were forced into ghettos and murdered in mass shootings, including at Rumbula and Biķernieki. Jews deported from other European countries were also killed in Latvia.
Visit resource ↗Rescue, survival and remembrance
The Žanis Lipke Memorial honors a Latvian dockworker and his family who helped save Jews during the Nazi occupation.
Visit resource ↗Jewish Latvia today
Riga has an active Jewish community, a surviving synagogue, museums, education and Chabad services.
Visit resource ↗Synagogues, museums & Holocaust memorials
Peitav Shul (Riga Synagogue) — Old Town
The city’s surviving active prewar synagogue, at Peitavas iela 6/8, with distinctive Art Nouveau design. Contact the community about visits and service times.
Visit resource ↗Museum “Jews in Latvia” — Riga
Exhibitions and archives spanning centuries of Latvian Jewish history, located in the Riga Jewish Community Building.
Visit resource ↗Riga Ghetto and Latvian Holocaust Museum
Museum near the former ghetto with exhibits on Jewish life and the Holocaust. Confirm visiting arrangements.
Visit resource ↗Great Choral Synagogue Memorial — Riga
Memorial at the site of the synagogue destroyed by fire in July 1941, commemorating its victims.
Visit resource ↗Rumbula Forest Memorial — near Riga
Mass murder site and memorial where approximately 25,000 Jews from the Riga ghetto were killed in late 1941.
Visit resource ↗Biķernieki Forest Memorial — Riga
Major Holocaust killing site with mass graves and a memorial honoring Jews and other victims.
Visit resource ↗Žanis Lipke Memorial — Riga
Museum telling the story of a family who sheltered Jews during Nazi occupation.
Visit resource ↗Old Jewish Cemetery — Riga
Historic cemetery site associated with Riga’s former Jewish community; approach respectfully.
Visit resource ↗Daugavpils Jewish heritage
Synagogues, cemeteries and sites connected to the large historic Jewish community of Daugavpils (Dvinsk). Research access before visiting.
Visit resource ↗Liepāja Jewish heritage
Explore Jewish community history and Holocaust remembrance in the coastal city, including memorial sites near Šķēde.
Visit resource ↗Rēzekne and Latgale heritage
Former Jewish neighborhoods, cemeteries and community history across eastern Latvia.
Visit resource ↗Jewish heritage tours & routes
Jewish Riga Walking Tour — Discover Latvia
Commercial guided tour through Riga’s Old Town, former ghetto and Jewish memorial sites; check current departure dates and prices.
Visit resource ↗Riga Jewish Heritage — official tourism guide
City tourism overview of the Peitav Shul, museums, Jewish Quarter and remembrance sites.
Visit resource ↗Riga Ghetto and Holocaust remembrance route
Combine the Ghetto Museum, Great Choral Synagogue Memorial and historic former ghetto streets with a local guide.
Visit resource ↗Rumbula and Biķernieki memorial visit
Consider a respectful guided memorial excursion from Riga. Verify site accessibility and transportation.
Visit resource ↗Museum “Jews in Latvia” research visit
Learn about community history and inquire about educational visits or archival resources.
Visit resource ↗Kosher food, catering & Shabbat meals
Kosher Store — Riga
Chabad’s kosher grocery at Dzirnavu iela 29 offers meat, dairy, packaged foods, challah and Judaica. Verify opening hours.
Visit resource ↗Catering Lechaim — Riga
Chabad-affiliated kosher catering provides prepared meals, business lunches and group catering by advance order.
Visit resource ↗Shabbat dinner and lunch — Chabad Riga
Advance online registration is required; Chabad lists a Thursday noon deadline, subject to change.
Visit resource ↗Shabbat takeaway — Chabad Riga
Preordered Shabbat meals can be collected on Friday from the kosher store. Check current arrangements and deadlines.
Visit resource ↗Kosher café / prepared food
Chabad’s center directory lists Kosher Café L’chaim, but confirm whether dine-in service is currently available; do not assume regular restaurant hours.
Visit resource ↗Outside Riga
Dedicated kosher options may be limited. Arrange packaged food or catering in advance and verify certification.
Visit resource ↗Chabad houses & Jewish community resources
Chabad Lubavitch Latvia — Riga
Main community center at Dzirnavu iela 29 with prayer hall, education, kosher grocery, Shabbat hospitality and visitor support.
Visit resource ↗Chabad Riga — Shabbat registration
Official Shabbat meal registration and advance-order takeaway information.
Visit resource ↗Chabad Riga — Kosher Store and catering
Official contact information for kosher grocery shopping, meals and group catering.
Visit resource ↗Chabad of Latvia — global center listing
International headquarters directory confirms the Riga center, rabbis and community services.
Visit resource ↗Jewish Community of Latvia / Riga Synagogue
Separate from Chabad: the Jewish community operates Peitav Shul and provides religious and heritage information.
Visit resource ↗