Riebiņi began as a small agricultural settlement at the end of the 18th century. The first Jews settled here at the beginning of the 19th century, most of whom lived in houses built on land belonging to the major estate owner. In 1843, Rabbi Z'ev Wolf Zioni became the town's first rabbi, and there was also a shochet who doubled as a teacher. By the end of the 19th century, the Jewish population had grown to make up 91% of the town's population.
After World War I, Latvia became an independent country (1920-40). Even by the 1920's, Riebiņi was still a remote town, difficult to reach. Its Jewish population was poor, making its living from small stores, peddling in villages, and various trades. Families lived in wooden homes with straw roofs. Next to each house was a plot of land where the families grew their own vegetables. The closest town to Riebiņi was Preili, located 7.5 kilometers away, with a population triple the size of its smaller neighbor.
In 1920, the Joint Distribution Committee visited "Rabinischki" and issued its report in November. The town's population was assessed at 750, of which 650 were Jews. The report showed that the town had no institutions dedicated to the support of the poor and received no outside help whatsoever. After December 1920, the JDC began to contribute toward fuel and general relief for the population. There was no hospital or healthcare professional (doctor, dentist or midwife) in the town, and only one drugstore. The bathhouse, similar to those in the rest of the Latgale region, was, according to the report, in a "broken down" state, and in need of expensive repairs, leaving the townspeople with no other option for bathing. The report referenced another report on the larger nearby town of Preili ("Preily") and stated that the community of Riebiņi was willing to levy an assessment on its citizens to subsidize a physician (to be shared with Preili)) to visit one or two days per week and to designate a dispensary where the physician could serve the sick. Subsequently, every Thursday, women would collect money or food for those in need. Traders also assessed a 10% tithe on themselves, the proceeds of which went to help the poor.
As of the JDC visit in November 1920, the townspeople were preparing to organize a democratically elected Kehilla. This elected council managed the Riebiņi's affairs. There was a Jewish elementary school, set up in 1921, with five classes. Classes were taught in Yiddish, and Hebrew was also taught. The Jewish school lacked the sixth form, so in order to complete grammar school, under the compulsory education law, students had to finish at the Jewish school in the neighboring town of Preili.
There were 17 shops in the 1930's, all but one of which belonged to Jews. Many of the younger people had left Riebiņi during this time for Riga and elsewhere, due to the lack of livelihood.
As described in the Synagogues section, there were two synagogues in the town. There was a Young Zionist (Tzerei-Tsion) party, the only active Zionist party in the town. Under its sponsorship, two pioneer youth movements, Borochov Youth and HaShomer Hatsa'ir-Netzach were formed. During the 1920's and 30's, a few families immigrated to Israel. A few also immigrated to the United States. By 1935, on the eve of World War II, Riebiņi's Jewish population had dwindled to 317, comprising 68% of the population.
LAND OWNERSHIP IN 1930
RIEBIŅI IN 1935