Israel Abramis was born on 23 August 1908 in Riga into a musical family. His father, Abram Abramis, was an outstanding cantor and choir director at the Choral Synagogue of Riga, and his brother and sister also displayed musical talents. From an early age, Israel grew up surrounded by music, which shaped his entire destiny.

Israel began his musical education under violinist Z. Aranovich, then continued his studies under Yakov Gurvich at the Veniamin Blyum Art School. In 1932, he graduated from the Latvian State Conservatory (now the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music) in the violin class of Professor Adolf Metz.

Already at the start of his career, Israel Abramis distinguished himself as a virtuoso violinist and conductor. He gave solo concerts and participated in ensembles, where his technique and deep understanding of musical works were noted. He actively collaborated with his father, brother and sister, performing at various events.

In the late 1930s, Israel Abramis lived in Prague, where he perfected his skills under Professor Feld and conducted a choir.

On returning to Riga in 1939, Israel began working at the Riga People's Conservatory, while simultaneously directing the synagogue choir on Stabu Street. His performances with the choir enjoyed great success in Riga, and his repertoire encompassed both traditional Jewish works and classical music. He also performed with the symphonic jazz orchestra conducted by Walter Hahn, an Austrian conductor, in the autumn of 1940.

With the outbreak of the German invasion of the USSR, Israel Abramis was evacuated. In 1942–1944, he was in Magnitogorsk, where he continued his musical activities. He taught at a music school and college and served as concertmaster of the city symphony orchestra. Israel did not set down his violin even in the difficult wartime years, actively performing as a soloist at various concerts. During the occupation of Latvia, his parents and sister Katya perished in the Holocaust.

After the war ended, Israel Abramis returned to Riga and continued teaching. In 1945–1948, he worked at the Riga Music College, and from 1948 to 1991 at the Emil Dārzins Music School, where he trained nearly fifty pupils, many of whom became well-known musicians. Among his students were V. Zariņš, V. Ozoliņš, I. Milzeraya, R. Lielmane, F. Hirshhorn, D. Berzaya, Ya. Shvinka, A. Ioffe, R. Agaronyan and others.

Israel Abramis also organized and led a violin ensemble of senior pupils of the school, which performed not only in Latvia but also in other Soviet republics — in Moscow, Tallinn, Vilnius and other cities and capitals. The ensemble was an active concert performer; its performances were broadcast on radio and television, bringing the ensemble and its director wide renown.

In the late 1950s, alongside his work at the school, Abramis directed an amateur mixed choir at the House of Culture of the Moskovsky District of Riga. One of the most memorable events during his direction of the choir was a joint concert with Nechama Lifshitsayte in the Grand Hall of the Latvian State University.

In 1968, for outstanding achievements in training young violinists, Israel Abramis was awarded the title of Honoured Teacher of the Latvian SSR. His pedagogical contribution was highly valued not only in Latvia but beyond its borders. In the 1970s, he also directed a violin ensemble at the VEF House of Culture.

Israel Abramis passed away on 3 December 2000 in Riga.

Father: Abram Abramis (1871–1941) — cantor at the Choral Synagogue of Riga. Perished in the Riga Ghetto.
Mother: Fruma Abramis (1874–1941), née Rapoport — perished in the Riga Ghetto.
Brother: Yakov Abramis (1903–1977) — pianist and composer. Despite having no formal musical education, Yakov became a talented and renowned accompanist and composer for the Jewish theatre in Riga. He wrote music for productions, including the play “The Empty Basket.” Yakov continued his musical career after the war, becoming a recognized musician.
Sister: Katya Abramis (1907–1941) — pianist, who studied in France under Professor Achille Philippe. She also graduated from the Paris Russian Conservatory and established her own private piano studio in Riga. Katya regularly gave solo concerts, and her performances were always well received. She perished during the Holocaust.

Born in Riga\\
Born in 1908\\
Evacuated to the USSR, 1941–1945\\
People: Riga\\

Mikhalets, Marina. “The Phenomenon of the Abramis Musical Family.” Riga, Latvia.
SKV, pp. 45–47
V.Stūresteps.Vijoļspēles attīstība Latvijā. R.,1980, 72–74.