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The topic of the persecution and emancipation of the Jews opens up a range of interesting issues – from the adoption of a general policy of disciplining subjects through to an exploration of personal identities in the pre-modern era. In less than a century, the status of the Jewish population of the Bohemian lands had changed beyond recognition. Whereas in the 18th century they were still only a tolerated section of society, sometimes at risk of fatal persecution, by the end of that century they were gradually able to participate in the economic life of the Habsburg Monarchy, and after the middle of the following century they had finally gained full civil rights. This paper outlines the relationship of the central and local authorities towards the Jewish population of the Bohemian lands by focusing on the official agenda of the royal mining town of Horní Slavkov. Extant sources – such as the town’s correspondence with Jewish communities and individuals, or the town’s criminal law agenda – provide insights about the legal practices of the day and enable us to highlight the problems associated with enforcement of the legislation restricting the right of residence for Jews in mining towns.
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The town of Staňkov (Stankau) is located 20 kilometres north-east of Domažlice in South Bohemia. After the relaxation of discriminatory laws in 1848, Jews began to move to large urban areas, gradually leaving the small rural settlements, such as Staňkov. Around the middle of the 19th century, a large number of Jewish families moved to Staňkov, which at the time comprised two parts. After the turn of the 20th century, some of them began to relocate to large towns. Right up until the 1930s, there were still members of a few Jewish families living in Staňkov, namely the Bloch, Kohn, Lederer, Wilhelm, and Weil (Bruml and Schwarz) families. These families had a similar life experience. In the middle of the 19th century, some of their relatives moved to Staňkov, where they began to prosper both socially and economically. Few, however, had the foresight to leave the country by the end of the 1930s; some tried, but it was too late by then. In November 1942, they were deported to the Terezín/Theresienstadt ghetto. Later, they were sent on to concentration and extermination camps in the East. Most of the members of these families perished, apart from a few individuals who managed to survive the war. Alžběta (Elisabeth) Ledererová returned to Staňkov from the Mauthausen camp. The Wilhelm siblings Otto, Helena and Aloisie (Louisa) Wilhelm survived the war abroad.
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This biographical study presents amicro-portrait of Joachim Deutschmann. He served in various rabbinic positions in Bohemia and Moravia at a time of dramatic social change in the Habsburg Monarchy at the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries. He not only gained a reputation within traditional rabbinic circles, but also enjoyed extraordinary respect among the younger generation of representatives of the Jewish Reform movement in Bohemia, Moravia, and Hungary. Although he left no comprehensive work, his homiletic sermons in Hebrew were preserved in manuscript copies by students who attended his private yeshivot in Hořice (Horschitz), Jevíčko (Gewitsch), Třebíč (Trebitsch), and Kolín, where he served as rabbi.
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Bernard Schütz was born in 1878, the son of Jakob Schütz, a butcher in Lukavec (Lukawetz) near Pacov (Patzau), a small town with a strong Jewish community. In 1901, after learning the gingerbread-making trade and apprenticing as a journeyman, he became a self-employed baker in Jindřichův Hradec (Neuhaus). In 1903, after marrying Emilia Löwy from Vysoká Pec near Příbram, he moved to Pardubice (Pardubitz), where he opened a bakery specializing in matzah products and later founded the Mellekta gingerbread company, which became noted for its honey-marzipan gingerbread and chocolate toppings. On 7 May 1942, Bernard Schütz and his wife were deported to the Terezín/Theresienstadt ghetto, where he ran the bakery until May 1945. Unlike most of their family, they both survived the Holocaust. After the war, Bernard Schütz became chairman of the restored Jewish religious community in Pardubice. He died in Mariánské Lázně (Marienbad) on 18 August 1958.
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Richard Glazar (29 November 1920, Prague – 20 December 1997, Prague) is known to the general public as one of the few people who managed to escape from the Treblinka death camp. As one of the last witnesses to the mass murders at Treblinka, he exerted a great deal of effort and energy to provide testimony about what happened there. He also wrote his story down and had it published as a book. Richard Glazar’s family roots are linked to the central Bohemian town of Kolín; his father was a member of the Goldschmid family, whose presence in Kolín was documented from the second half of the 18th century. He retained memories of his grandparents from Kolín, as well as his childhood experiences and his two years at high school there. How these roots in Kolín influenced the personality of Richard Glazar is a question that this paper seeks to answer.
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The year 2019 saw the 100th anniversary of the birth of Karel Berman (14 April 1919, Jindřichův Hradec – 11 August 1995, Prague), who was a leading Czech operatic bass-baritone, composer, opera director, librettist, translator, teacher and, from 1953, member of the National Theatre Opera in Prague. In connection with this anniversary, this paper acquaints us with extant sources relating to Karel Berman’s parents (Rudolf and Anna, née Kačerová) and brother (Josef, b. 18 April 1924, Jindřichův Hradec – d. 12 August 1942, Majdanek). It is also seeks to reconstruct the pre-war life of the individual members of his family and to reflect on Karel Berman’s relationship to his home town.
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Financial prosecutors’ offices were one of the branches of the Czechoslovak state administration in the 1950s. They were responsible for defending the interests of the state in official proceedings of all kinds. Among other things, they dealt with matters relating to the restitution of property of legal and natural persons of Jewish origin who had suffered during the years of Nazi occupation. The records of the Financial Prosecutor’s Office in České Budějovice (Budweis), which are now housed in the State Regional Archives Třeboň, contain files on specific cases in which relatives of Jewish victims of Nazi persecution sought redress for property injustices committed by the Nazis. These files provide an interesting record of the restitution proceedings and of the frequent obstacles placed in their way by the state authorities.
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The plight of visually impaired and blind Jews in the Terezín ghetto during World War II is a poignant chapter in Holocaust history. With the establishment of Jewish assembly camps under Reinhard Heydrich's regime, many blind individuals were deported to Terezín, where they faced harsh conditions. Despite the adversity, the Jewish community organized care for the blind, including the creation of a dedicated home in the ghetto. Medical professionals and volunteers provided essential services, from eye care to daily assistance. The resilience of the blind inmates is evident in their efforts to maintain dignity and contribute to the community, despite their disabilities. The study highlights the importance of preserving these historical records to honor the victims and learn from their experiences. The documentation provides a detailed account of the administrative and social dynamics within the ghetto, offering valuable insights into the lives of the visually impaired during this dark period.
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The Central Archives for the History of the Jewish People in Jerusalem, established in the late 1930s, plays a crucial role in preserving Jewish heritage. Founded by historian Josef Meisl, the archive collects and maintains documents related to Jewish communities worldwide, from the Middle Ages to the present. The Czech collection, a significant part of the archive, includes materials from Bohemia, Moravia, and Slovakia, covering various aspects of Jewish life, such as community records, personal collections, and organizational documents. Notable items include pinkasim (record books) and memorbuchs (memorial books), which provide insights into the social, economic, and religious activities of Jewish communities. The archive's digitalization efforts have made many of these documents accessible online, enhancing research opportunities. The study emphasizes the importance of these archival materials in understanding the historical development of Jewish communities and preserving their cultural heritage for future generations.
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Jewish settlement in Mladá Vožice began in the early 17th century, with significant growth in the following decades. The community faced various challenges, including anti-Semitic decrees and periodic expulsions, yet they established a synagogue and cemetery. Prominent families like the Synks and Liftschitzes played key roles in the community's development, contributing to local commerce and religious life. The Jewish cemetery, founded in the late 17th century, contains numerous historical tombstones, including those of notable figures such as Elias Baroch and Sinaj Woschitz. Despite adversities, the community demonstrated resilience, maintaining their cultural and religious practices. The preservation of archival materials, including the pinkas (community record book), provides valuable insights into the community's social and economic life. The study emphasizes the importance of these historical records in understanding the broader context of Jewish life in Bohemia. Efforts to document and preserve the Jewish heritage of Mladá Vožice continue to be crucial for future generations.
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Klara Fischer-Pollak, a Jewish doctor from Karlovy Vary, faced numerous hardships during and after World War II. Her life story reflects the suffering of Jews and mixed families during the Nazi occupation and the complex Czech-German relations post-1945. Despite being a capable and dedicated physician, she struggled with legal and social challenges due to her German nationality and Jewish heritage. After the war, she was nationalized and faced significant difficulties in reclaiming her property and resuming her medical practice. Her health deteriorated due to the physical and emotional toll of her experiences. Eventually, she emigrated to Bavaria, where she continued to face challenges but managed to rebuild her life and career. Klara's story is a poignant example of resilience and the struggle for recognition and stability in the aftermath of the Holocaust.
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The research on Jews in the town of Bezdružice (Weseritz) highlights the historical presence and contributions of the Jewish community in the Czech-Bavarian border region. The study began with the discovery of Jewish cemeteries and memorials in the Tachov area, leading to a deeper exploration of Jewish life in Bezdružice. The Löwenstein-Wertheim family acquired the Bezdružice estate in the early 18th century, and Jewish families, such as the Sinay family, played significant roles in the local economy. The Jewish community faced numerous challenges, including property confiscation and persecution during the Nazi occupation. Despite these hardships, the community's legacy is preserved through historical records and ongoing research efforts. The synagogue and cemetery in Bezdružice, although damaged, remain important cultural and historical sites.
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The State District Archive in Klatovy has seen increased interest in the history of the Jewish minority, despite the absence of a dedicated Jewish religious community fund. The archive primarily relies on state and municipal records, as well as parish office documents. The materials focus on Jewish communities in areas with significant German populations, which were annexed to Germany between 1938 and 1945. The most informative records are from the political districts of Klatovy and Sušice, established in 1850. Jewish communities were organized under association laws, requiring registration and approval by political authorities. The archives contain detailed records of Jewish religious communities, including membership lists, financial contributions, and property management. These documents provide valuable insights into the Jewish minority's history in the southwestern border region.
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Interest in the study of Jewish history and culture in northwestern Bohemia has grown since the late 1980s, leading to numerous publications and online resources. The region's Jewish cemeteries, often neglected and damaged by Nazi and communist regimes, have become a focal point of research. The Jewish communities in areas like Teplice, Ústí nad Labem, and Litomìøice have left behind significant historical records, including cemetery inscriptions and community documents. Efforts to preserve these sites have increased, with many cemeteries undergoing restoration funded by the European Union and local authorities. The Teplice Jewish community, once the second largest in Bohemia, has a rich history documented through various sources. The Ústí nad Labem cemetery, established in 1866, faced significant damage during and after World War II. In Litomìøice, the Jewish cemetery dates back to the 16th century, with many historical tombstones still present. The preservation and study of these cemeteries provide valuable insights into the Jewish heritage of the region. Local organizations and volunteers play a crucial role in these restoration efforts. The ongoing research and preservation work aim to honor and remember the Jewish communities that once thrived in northwestern Bohemia.
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