Riga’s Jewish community has given the world many outstanding artists, scientists, thinkers and athletes. Some were born in Riga, others lived and worked here. More info can be found in the foyer of the Jewish Museum in Latvia at Skolas iela 6.
Artists, scientists, thinkers, and athletes
- Paul Mandelstamm (1872–1941), architect. One of Riga’s most prolific architects of the early 20th century. Among his buildings is Skolas iela 6, now home to the Jewish Museum in Latvia.
- Simon Dubnow (1860–1941), historian. One of the world’s foremost historians of the Jewish people. He was murdered in the Riga Ghetto.
- Oscar Strok (1893–1975), composer. Known as the “King of Tango”, his songs were popular throughout Europe.
- Mark Rothko (1903–1970), painter. Born in Daugavpils, he was one of the founders of Abstract Expressionism. The Mark Rothko Art Centre in Daugavpils is dedicated to his work.
- Philippe Halsman (1906–1979), photographer. Born in Riga, he became a world-famous portrait photographer, known for his collaborations with Salvador Dalí and his Life magazine covers.
- Isaiah Berlin (1909–1997), philosopher. Born in Riga, he was one of the most influential liberal thinkers of the 20th century and a professor at the University of Oxford.
- Solomon Hiller (1915–1993), chemist. Founder of the Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, where several medicines were developed under his leadership.
- Valentīna Freimane (1922–2018), film and theatre historian. A Holocaust survivor whose memoir Adieu, Atlantis is a vivid account of interwar Riga.
- Herz Frank (1926–2013), documentary filmmaker. One of the creators of the “Riga School of Poetic Documentary”.
- Mikhail Tal (1936–1992), chess player. Born in Riga, he became the eighth World Chess Champion. He is buried in the New Jewish Cemetery in Šmerlis.
- Adolf Shapiro (b. 1939), theatre director. He led the Riga Youth Theatre for more than 30 years.
- Tīna Hercberga and Fēlikss Deičs, theatre directors. Key figures in Latvian theatre.
- Hermanis Brauns, pianist.
