About the Museum

The Museum “Jews in Latvia” was founded in 1989 by a group of Holocaust survivors led by prominent historian Margers Vestermanis, seeking to preserve all evidence – tangible and intangible – of 450 years of Jewish history in Latvia for future generations.

The mission of the Museum “Jews in Latvia” is to identify, preserve and immortalise the rich cultural heritage and history of the Latvian Jewish community, to acquaint the public with Jewish cultural and historical values, and to promote social cohesion, mutual respect and understanding of Latvian and world’s diversity.

The museum is located on the 3rd floor of the Riga Jewish Community Building.

At its outset, the museum acted as a documentation centre. In 1996, the museum opened its first small exhibition, which aroused great public interest. At present, the museum’s permenant exhibition stretches across three rooms and presents five centuries of Latvian Jewish history, from the arrival of the first Jewish communities in Latvia in the 16th century to 1945.

The museum belongs to the Jewish community of Riga and is one of the few private museums in Latvia accredited by the national government.

The museum’s collection is extensive and varied, thanks in large part to the support of visitors and volunteers who facilitate the acquisition of new material. We are very grateful for any help broadening our museum’s collection with documents and photos from your private archives and family albums.