Bamberger David-Levi (1885)

Bamberger David-Levi – factor (supplier) and “protected Jew” in Riga.

In 1760, General-Major Bestuzhev-Ryumin issued Bamberger a passport stating that he was a factor for Field Marshal Apraksin and was sent to Lithuania and Courland for “certain purchases.” This passport allowed him to pass freely through outposts and other locations while receiving full assistance.

In the same year, Bamberger received another document from an official stating that he had lived in Mitau (Jelgava) for 16 years and was now moving with his family to Königsberg. The document instructed officers stationed at warehouses not only to avoid obstructing him but also to provide support.

Jewish Resettlement in New Russia

In 1764, under the commission of Empress Catherine II, Bamberger, along with V. Ber, was tasked with resettling foreign Jews in New Russia. This was to be done secretly, to avoid public discontent in Russian society.

To facilitate this, in May 1764, three Jewish men from Mitau, including Bamberger, were secretly summoned to St. Petersburg for negotiations. He then traveled to Riga to carry out Catherine II's orders, obtaining the right to reside and trade in the city. Unlike other Jewish traders who were required to live in the Jewish courtyard of I. Benken, Bamberger and his son-in-law, Samuel Solomon (owner of a gold embroidery workshop), were granted exceptions.

A certificate dated 14 March 1764, issued in Mitau by Prince Dashkov, the commander of the Russian corps, attested that Bamberger had provided “exceptional services to Her Imperial Majesty” in various expeditions—likely referring to his role in Jewish resettlement.

Struggles and Influence in Riga

In 1777, the Riga Council attempted to revoke Bamberger’s trading rights, but higher local authorities overturned the decision.

Records suggest that Bamberger held significant power in the local Jewish community and was accused of abusing his influence.

His Sons: Moses and Ezekiel Levi

Bamberger had two sons, Moses and Ezekiel Levi, who took the surname Levi (David-Levi):

Moses Levi

Moses Levi replaced his ill father in a meeting of officials and “protected Jews” on 4 October 1770, where rules for Jewish residence in Riga were established. In 1788, he was appointed elder, responsible for overseeing newly arriving Jews in Riga.

Ezekiel Levi

In 1797, Ezekiel Levi was appointed to the Riga Censorship Committee to review Jewish books imported from abroad. In 1802, after the committee was dissolved, he petitioned authorities, referencing his privileged status and protesting the Riga administration’s refusal to let him relocate his trading shop. In 1816, he was granted permission to trade in second-hand goods.

Sources:

  • Buchholtz, A. Geschichte der Juden in Riga. Riga, 1899.

  • P. Outline of the History of Riga’s Jews // Voskhod (1885), No. 2, 3, 7.

  • Гессен Ю. Возникновение цензуры еврейских книг // Ю. Гессен. Евреи в России. 1906.