ILUKSTE, town (since 1892) in Daugavpils District (Republic of Latvia). Known since the

16th century. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, it was a district town of the Courland Governorate. From 1918 to 1940, it was part of the Republic of Latvia, and from 1940 to 1991, it was part of the Latvian SSR.

In 1897, there were 842 Jews living in Ilukste (23%), in 1910 — 1,016 (28.6%), in 1920 — 4 (0.8%), in 1925 — 30 (3%), in 1930 — 58 (5%), in 1935 —71 Jews (5%).

In the 18th century, Jews were forbidden to settle in Ilukste. The first two Jewish tailors settled in Ilukste at the end of the 18th century. In 1832, the first shochet was invited to Ilukste, and in 1845, a synagogue and mikvah were built.

In From 1847 to 1855, the rabbi in Ilukste was Moyshe-Avrom from Brisk, from 1856 to 1863 — Baikish (a follower of Hasidism), from 1866 to 1874 — Benjamin Fuberman from Vilna, then until 1884 — Mordche Margolis, and from 1880 — Avrom Shlosberg (a descendant of the first Jews to settle in Ilukste).

In 1865, the Bikur Chaim organisation was established, in 1867 a second synagogue was built, in 1880 — a third, Jewish mutual aid funds were active, and two Jewish doctors worked there. At the end of the 19th century, there were societies called ‘Talmud Torah,’ “Malbish Arumim,‘ and ’Gmilus Hesed.” In 1910, there were four synagogues and a Jewish cemetery.

During World War I, the Jews left Ilukste. In the 1920s, the community was revived, with Jews owning 8of the 71 businesses.

At the end of June 1941, Ilukste was occupied by German troops. In July 1941, 507 Jews were shot there, including 330 from Lithuania.

Ilukste. Building of the former Jewish school.

Photo by M.A. Heifets. 1990. From the archives of the

St. Petersburg Jewish University.