VALKA, a town (since 1584) and a district centre (Republic of Latvia). Founded in 1339. Part of the Russian Empire from 1721. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, it was the county town of Walk in the Governorate of Livonia. From 1918 to 1940, part of the town of Valka was within the Republic of Latvia; from 1940 to 1941, it belonged to the Latvian SSR.

In 1897, there were 380 Jews living in Valka (3.5% of the population); in 1910 — around 400 (2%); in 1920 — 97 (3%); in 1925 — 49 (2%); in 1930 — 65 (2%); and in 1935 — 57 Jews (2%).

The Jewish community was established in the 1860s. After the division of Valka between Latvia and Estonia in late 1920, Jewish children from the Latvian part of the town attended the Jewish school located on the Estonian side. In 1928, a Jewish community was formally established in Valka, and a synagogue was built.

On 8 July 1941, Valka was occupied by German forces. The Jews who had not managed to evacuate were executed.

VALK — see entries Valga, Valka.