Rugāji — a village in the Balvi District (Republic of Latvia). In the 19th and early 20th centuries it was the Rugāji manor in Ludza County of the Vitebsk Governorate. In 1918–1940 it was part of the Republic of Latvia, and in 1940–1991 of the Latvian SSR.

In 1925, 44 Jews lived in Rugāji and its surroundings; in 1930 — 121, and in 1935 — 85 Jews (about 31% of the population).

Jews began settling in Rugāji in the early 20th century. Most of the Jewish population was engaged in trade. Jews owned 16 of the 24 shops in the village.

In 1930, an incident of a “blood libel” accusation was recorded in Rugāji. From 1933 the rabbi of Rugāji was Itzhok Kagan (1912, Tukums – ?).

After the occupation by Wehrmacht forces, the Jews of Rugāji were murdered in early July 1941 on the roadside leading to the village of Tilža.