So Much Hatred

So much hatred!! It makes no sense to me, but throughout history, the Jewish people have been hated and abused. One of the worst occurrences happened between November 30 and December 8, 1941, in the forest near Riga, Latvia. During that time, 25,000 Jews were murdered in the Rumbula Forest or on their way there during World War II. Apart from the Babi Yar massacre in Ukraine, it was the largest two-day killing of the Holocaust. Most of the victims…around 24,000, were Latvian Jews from the Riga Ghetto, while about 1,000 were German Jews brought by train. Hitler hated the Jewish people, for no reason. So, he decided to “create” the perfect race…basically one he could control. He planned to kill anyone he deemed “undesirable” or not Aryan (The Aryan race, as defined during World War II, referred to a concept promoted by the Nazis that characterized people of Northwestern European descent, particularly those with traits such as tall stature, blonde hair, and blue eyes). It was such a strange concept, since Hitler was of average height, with brown hair and blue eyes, but I guess he could overlook his own “flaws” but not anyone else’s.

So, the killings began, and took on many forms, starvation, beatings, neglect, overwork, cold, shootings, and the gas chamber. There were no trials, no mercy, just elimination. The Rumbula Massacre was carried out by Nazi Einsatzgruppe A, aided by local collaborators from the Arajs Kommando and other Latvian auxiliary forces. It was led by Friedrich Jeckeln, the Higher SS and Police Leader, who had overseen similar massacres in Ukraine. Rudolf Lange, later present at the Wannsee Conference, also helped plan the killings. Evidence links Latvian Herberts Cukurs to the Arajs Kommando’s role in emptying the Riga Ghetto.

While less known than the atrocities of infamous Nazi camps like Auschwitz, the Rumbula massacre is a grim and important part of Holocaust history. It was one of the largest mass killings of Jews before the Nazi death camps began operating in 1942. Looking back at what happened in the Rumbula forest over those two horrific days gives a chilling glimpse into the cruelty of the Nazi genocide against European Jews. It is so important that we honor and remember these victims. The massacre goes by several names, like “The Big Action” and “Rumbula Action,” but in Latvia it’s usually called “Rumbula” or “Rumbuli.” Sometimes it’s referred to as the Jeckeln Action, after commander Friedrich Jeckeln. The Nazis used the word “Aktion” to mean action or operation in English, as a euphemism for murder. For Rumbula, the official term was “shooting action” (Erschiessungsaktion).

Today, the Rumbula Forest stands as a somber reminder of the Holocaust’s impact on Latvia. Now it is a memorial complex dedicated to the victims of the Rumbula massacre. The site includes a stone marking the path through the mass graves, a Menorah, and plaques in several languages telling the story of the tragedy. It’s both a place of remembrance and education, highlighting the atrocities of World War II and the ongoing effort to honor the victims. The memorial reflects the lasting fight for justice and the need to keep the memory of the Holocaust alive.