This memorial is dedicated to the Jews of Bauska who for centuries lived here and built this city together with Latvians and other citizens, and who in 1941 were murdered by the Nazis and their local collaborators.
According to the Latvian state archive, the Jewish community of Bauska acquired a plot to build their synagogue in 1845. It was a large two-story and its interior included a splendid Aron Kodesh two stories high supplied by local artisans. The synagogue was destroyed by Nazi occupation, allegedly by Soviet bombing, although no other buildings in the vicinity were damaged. The original plot where the great synagogue once stood will be the site for Bauska Memorial. The final design indicates the original perimeter of the building. It also marks the location of the Aron Kodesh (Ark holding the torah scrolls) and the menorah. In the center is a symbolic bimah with text and the family names of the Jewish community at the time of the extermination.
The effort to memorialize the Jewish community of Bauska began in approximately 2002 by Jehuda Feitelson. A few years later, Yehudi Gaffen came on board as an active advocate for the memorial. Since then, both Jehuda and Yehudi have persevered in the struggle to have an acceptable design agreed to by all the stakeholders. An agreement has finally been reached between the City of Bauska and the Organization of Jewish Communities of Latvia.