Plans for organizing relief for Jews in the Nazi-held Baltic countries were discussed here today by the Federation of Jewish Relief Organizations following the receipt of the first authentic report of the Nazi massacres there and of the misery prevailing among those Jews who remained alive.
The report discloses that 25,000 Jews were killed by the Nazis throughout Latvia during the first four days of the German occupation. The pogroms were particularly violent in Mitau, Dwinsk, Bausk and Kraslaya.
At present, the report indicates, all Jews of Latvia are herded in the Riga ghetto which is situated in the Moscow section of the city, near the old cemetery. It is estimated that 29,000 Jews from all parts of Latvia are confined in this ghetto. Their homes have been confiscated and their belongings, including clothing, have been taken from them for use by the German army. Those under 35 years of age are compelled to do forced labor outside the ghetto in special units, under severe discipline, while those between 35 and 65 are forced to labor within the ghetto confines.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
