Nativ - Baltic States

28/02/2026

Dear representatives of Jewish communities,

Today, February 28, Israel and the United States have launched a military operation against Iran, titled "Lion’s Roar" (Sha’agat Ha-Ari).

The State of Israel is once again compelled to engage in an armed struggle for its security and its right to exist. "Nativ" organization expresses its sincere gratitude to the Jewish communities of the Diaspora for your support, solidarity, and sense of unity during this difficult and fateful period.

Today, more than ever, we feel that borders and distances do not divide us. Your words, initiatives, public stance, and mutual responsibility give us strength and confirm that we are one people with a shared history and a shared future.

At the same time, we believe it is vital to support you as well. Even from afar, we feel a responsibility for the safety and well-being of Jewish communities around the world. "Nativ" continues to monitor the situation closely, strengthening our cooperation with communities abroad. We remain available to answer any questions, provide information, and offer necessary support - both personal and professional.

In the face of current challenges, we particularly emphasize the importance of cohesion, mutual support, and open dialogue. Our cooperation and constant connection are the foundation of our resilience and confidence in the future.

We are one nation. And "Nativ" is by your side - in every country, at any time, and in any situation.

Head of "Nativ"
Alon Shoham

14/12/2025

Dear friends, Khag Hanukkah Sameach!
On behalf of the Nativ – Prime Minister’s Office, it is a privilege to extend our warmest wishes to you on the Festival of Lights – Hanukkah 2025.
Hanukkah is a powerful reminder of the enduring spirit and resilience of the Jewish people. Just as the small jug of oil defied expectations to burn for eight days, the light of Jewish tradition and hope continues to shine brightly, even during challenging times.
By lighting the Hanukkah candles, we celebrate the unbreakable bond shared by Jewish communities across the globe. Every Hanukkiah lit—whether in Israel, Europe, the Americas, or any other corner of the earth—adds its unique flame to the great menorah of our people. We stand together in solidarity, inspiring one another and upholding our shared heritage.
May the light of Hanukkah bring joy, warmth, and renewed faith into your homes. May it strengthen the deep connection between your community and the State of Israel, and illuminate your path with peace, well-being, and success throughout the coming year.

30/11/2025

Rumbula – one of the largest sites of mass extermination of Jews in Europe.
Today, November 30, a memorial event took place in the Rumbula forest, dedicated to the anniversary of the tragic events of the Holocaust. In November-December 1941, more than 25,000 Jews – prisoners of the Riga ghetto – were exterminated here, including over 5,000 children, as well as about a thousand Jews deported from Germany.
Jews were forced to undress and lie face down in a pit on top of those already killed, after which they were shot in the back of the head.
“Women with children were driven to the ex*****on; there were many children, with some mothers having 2-3 kids. Many children marched in columns under heavy police guard. By the end of December 1941, in the morning, around 8 o'clock, the German fascists drove three large groups of school-aged children to be exterminated. Each group had no less than 200 children. The children cried terribly, called for their mothers, screamed for help. All these children were exterminated in the Rumbula forest. The children were not shot; they were killed with rifle butts and pistol grips to the head and thrown directly into the pit. When they were buried in the grave, not all were dead yet, and the ground was heaving from the bodies of the buried children, women, and old people.”
Here in Rumbula, the famous Jewish historian Shimon Dubnov (1860, Mstislavl, Mogilev Province – 1941, Riga) was killed.
It is said that when he was taken away by the police, the elderly historian shouted in Yiddish: “Yidn, shraybt un farshraybt!” (“Jews, write and record!”).
Today, this terrible path is marked by two plaques with inscriptions in Latvian, English, German, and Hebrew, recounting the tragic events that occurred here.
The event was opened by the director of the Jewish Museum, Ilya Lensky, who, with his speech, returned us all to those fateful events of 1941. A prayer in memory of the deceased was read by Rabbi Eliyahu Krummer. The acting consul of the Embassy of the State of Israel in Latvia, Ms. Rina Dvir, delivered a speech. She emphasized that we must remember and pass on the memory to our descendants.
Representatives of diplomatic missions, public organizations, the Jewish community, and youth attended the memorial ceremony.
The event concluded with a ceremony of laying flowers and lighting candles. From the organization “Nativ,” flowers were laid by Maxim Zlotnik, the first secretary of the Israeli embassy in Latvia and the representative of “Nativ” in the Baltic countries.
The Rumbula forest is one of the largest sites of mass extermination of Jews in Europe. Memorial events here are not only an act of mourning but also a call to humanity, to preserve historical truth, and to educate future generations in the spirit of respect and memory.
Today, it seems to us that the Holocaust will never be forgotten. Alas, this is not obvious. If we do not talk about it, do not remind about it, do not research it, even such a tragedy as the Holocaust will be forgotten. And the names of those who perished here will be forgotten…
We must not look away. Only a constant struggle against oblivion can save us from new catastrophes.

12/11/2025

ISRAELI EMBASSY OPENED IN ESTONIA

Yesterday the official opening ceremony of the Israeli Embassy in Estonia took place in Tallinn. It was attended by Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar and Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna, alongside the Deputy Director General and the head of the European Department of the Israeli Foreign Ministry Simona Halperin. The ceremony was attended by leaders of the Jewish community of Estonia, representatives of the Jewish communities of Estonia and Finland, diplomats and military attaches from different countries.
The ceremony was opened by the new Israeli Ambassador to Estonia, Amit Gil-Bayaz. Then the foreign ministers of Israel and Estonia spoke.
Nativ's envoy to the Baltics, Maxim Zlotnik, took part in the ceremony. He informed the ambassador about the activities of Nativ in general and in the Baltic countries in particular, emphasizing the close cooperation of Nativ with the Jewish community of Estonia. The new embassy will facilitate Nativ's activities in matters related to the Jewish community and repatriation, as do the Israeli embassies in Latvia and Lithuania.
In the photo - Gideon Saar speaks during the ceremony.
Photo: Dan Rubanenko

24/10/2025

On October 21, the Israeli Embassy in Latvia, together with the Jewish Community of Latvia, held an event dedicated to the memory of the victims of the terrorist attack of October 7, 2023.

16/10/2025

Today, Israel marks the National Day of Remembrance for the Victims of the October 7th Massacre.

We remember and honor the fallen.
We continue to await the return home of the hostages whose bodies remain in captivity — so they may receive a dignified burial.

🇮🇱🕯️

Сегодня Израиль отмечает Национальный день памяти жертв резни 7 октября.

Мы помним и чтим память павших.
Мы продолжаем ждать возвращения домой заложников, чьи тела остаются в плену, и их достойного погребения. 🇮🇱🕯️

10/08/2025

The Representative of the Nativ Organization in the Baltic States took part in the ceremony unveiling a monument to the victims of the Holocaust in Baldone.

A quote from his speech:
> “I wish to convey my profound gratitude for the honor of standing here today — in this place where the anguish of history has found its voice, and where oblivion has yielded to remembrance.
Today, we bow our heads before the memory of the thirty-nine Jews who were executed here during the Holocaust. For decades, the site of their martyrdom lay unknown, concealed by the passing of time and the silence of the forest. Yet, through the tireless efforts of local historians, historical justice has at last been restored.
At a time when certain forces strive relentlessly to tarnish the memory of the Holocaust, to deny the Jewish people their sacred right to remember both their heroes and their martyrs — resorting to the same age-old antisemitic fabrications, blood libels, and distortions — the act of safeguarding this memory is more than an obligation. It is a testament to the unity of truth in the face of falsehood.
I extend heartfelt thanks to the municipal authorities, who not only recognized the profound importance of preserving this place, but also undertook the initiative to reinter the remains with full respect for Jewish tradition and under the guidance of the Jewish community.
This monument is more than a marker of grief; it stands as a symbol of memory, of shared responsibility, and of mutual respect.
I am deeply grateful to the Baldone museum preparing a book and exhibition dedicated to the local Jewish community — a vital step towards restoring not only the memory of tragedy, but also the memory of the vibrant life that once flourished here.
May the memory of the victims be forever blessed.”

25/06/2025

On behalf of Nativ, we send a warm embrace and heartfelt words to all in the Diaspora.
In difficult times, the people of Israel stood strong — rising like a lion — and faced the storm with strength, faith, and unity.

Throughout the war, we felt your presence with us — in your prayers, your support, your generosity, and your solidarity.
The deep bond between us did not break — it grew stronger.
Together, we are one nation!

Now, as calm gradually returns, our mission is clearer than ever:
to deepen our connection and strengthen Jewish and Israeli identity.

"Nativ " will continue to work with dedication, purpose, and faith —
for a united, resilient, and shared Jewish future.

עם ישראל חי

20/06/2025

The operation "עם כלביא" ("The people are like a lion") is named so because it directly references the biblical verse from the Torah portion Balak (Numbers 23:24), where the prophet Balaam, instead of cursing the Israelites, blesses them with the words "Behold, the people rise and rise like a lion...". The name is not merely a poetic image but a deliberate invocation of this specific blessing, signifying the nation's strength and resilience.
The context of the verse is crucial. Balaam, hired to curse the Israelites, is compelled by God to bless them. The phrase "עם כלביא יקום וכארי יתנשא" highlights the Israelites' ability to overcome adversity and rise above challenges, much like a lion. This choice of name for the operation emphasizes the idea that the people involved possess the strength, courage, and determination to succeed, drawing on the powerful imagery of the lion as a symbol of power and majesty.

Shabbat Shalom!

19/06/2025

Операция «Народ как лев»

Операция «Народ как лев» продолжается на фоне беспрецедентных ракетных атак со стороны иранского режима. Несмотря на то что основной целью иранских ракет и беспилотников является мирное население, израильское общество проявляет вызывающую уважение стойкость, единство и силу духа.

Израиль скорбит по каждой утрате и оказывает всестороннюю помощь раненым и пострадавшим. Государственные структуры действуют быстро и эффективно — от медицинской помощи до срочной эвакуации и оценки материального ущерба.

В эти трудные дни мы ощущаем мощную волну солидарности со стороны еврейских общин по всему миру. Эта поддержка придает нам силы и очередной раз демонстрирует, что мы — один народ, связанный общей судьбой и общей ответственностью.

Наш ответ ясен и тверд: никакие ракеты и дроны не сломят нашу волю. Мы будем защищать наших граждан, а те, кто стоит за этими атаками, понесут полную ответственность за свои преступления.