Kosher and Jewish Life in Czech Republic

Apart from Prague, in which the great majority of Jews live, there are several smaller communities, notably in Brno, Plzeň, Karlovy Vary, Olomouc, Liberec, Děčín, Ostrava, Ústí nad Labem and Teplice. However, none of these has more than 350 persons. In recent years, the Jewish community in Prague has been bolstered by Czechs of Jewish origin who are exploring their Jewish roots as well as by the presence of a large number of foreign Jews, primarily Americans and Israelis, working in that city. The Czech Repulic is home to 3,900 Jewish people. Though the first Jews most probably came to central Europe with Roman legions, the first written historical document mentioning Jews in Bohemia and Moravia is the Raffelstetten Custom and Navigation Regulations dated between 903–906 CE. About 80,000 Czech Jews (85% of the community) were killed in the Shoah. Many of the survivors attempted to rebuild Jewish life, but with the imposition of Communist rule, the atmosphere became increasingly inhospitable. The 1989 Velvet Revolution, in which democracy was reinstated, led to a reawakening of Jewish consciousness and has opened up many new avenues of Jewish expression.

The Jewish community in Prague operates its own restaurant, "Shalom," as well as a kosher grocery store. The Dinitz kosher restaurant is under the supervision of the Prague rabbinate. Outside Prague are two kosher dining rooms in the Jewish communities of Brno and Olomouc. Many cities and towns have Jewish relics in various states of repair. In the Moravian town of Mikulov, located directly on the border with Austria, there is a 16th-century synagogue containing an exhibition of the history of the Jewish community. The Nouveau Romanesque-style synagogue in Český Krumlov, completed in 1909, has also been restored. There are many Jewish heritage landmarks to see in Prague. It is a great city for a kosher vacation as there is much to see and do. There are also wonderful Passover programs in Prague and throughout Europe.