Timeline
965 – 1800
Medieval – Early Modern Era
Jews settled in Bohemia and Moravia over 1000 years ago, developing a rich culture. In 965, Ibrahim ibn Yaqub documented meeting Jews in Prague
The Alt Neu, one of the oldest synagogues in the world was completed in 1270. Throughout the Middle Ages, Jews existed as a protected minority under royal authority, although they faced periodic persecution during the Crusades, the 1389 Prague pogrom, the 30 Years War, Maria Theresa’s 1745 decree etc., the community thrived culturally. In 1700, Prague had 11,000 Jews, the largest in Europe. Reforms under Joseph II in the 1780s gradually paved the way for eventual emancipation.
1800 – 1938
Enlightenment and Emancipation
The Familiant Laws of the 18th and 19th centuries severely restricyed the Jewish population of Bohemia and Moravia. The emancipation of Czech Jews was finally completed in 1867 after centuries of suffering under Habsburg and Austro-Hungarian rule.
The Jewish population of Bohemia and Moravia was never more than 125,000 however in this period there were some 600 communities with many beautiful synagogues.
Following the first World war, Czechoslovakia was created on Oct 28th 1918, however only lasting until the German Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia was established March 16th 1939.
1938 – 1945
Kristallnacht and the Holocaust
As a result of Jews moving to the larger cities and emigration to the Americas, by 1938 there were only 150 communities in the country.
Kristallnacht had a devasting effect in Sudetenland with the destruction of almost all its synagogues.
Over 200,000 Jewish artefacts including some 1800 Torah and other scrolls were shipped to the Jewish Museum in Prague from 118 towns in Bohemia and Moravia. Historians still argue today as to whether the Nazis planned for a Museum of an Extinct Race after the war, or the Jews somehow perusaded the Nazis to bring the treasue to Prague for safe-keeping.
Of approximately 118,000 Jews in Bohemia and Moravia in 1939, over 80,000 were deported and 78,000 murdered. Some 25,000 managed to escape.
1945 – 1964
Post-War and Communism
Some 14,000 Czech Jews survived the Shoah. 52 communities were established after1945.
Rabbi Feder z”l who had survived the camps but lost all his gamily became the Chief Rabbi.
Following the Communist coup in 1948 the majority of Jews emigrated and the government closed all synagogues and communal life was virtually non-existent. The Jewish Museum was allowed to remain open as considered anti Nazi, however the scrolls were moved to a damp warehouse on the ourskirts of Prague.
1964 – Present
Scrolls Rescue and Allocations
Thanks to the generosity of Ralph Yablon z”l 1564 Czech Torah and other scrolls that survived the Nazis, were saved from further destruction under the communists by being shipped to the Westminster Synagogue Londonin 1964. The Memorial Scrolls Trust was set up as an independent charity to be responsible for the scrolls.
The MST scrolls are never sold or donated, allocated on loan to be returned if cthe scroll-holder closes or merges. Some 1400 scrolls have been allocated around the world, from Alaska to New Zealand and Singapore to Buenos Aires.
