MEETING IN LOSTICE SYNAGOGUE
MEDIA COVERAGE
Wednesday June 8, 2005
Lostice Torah is coming back home from America
Lostice/Prague. The Lostice Torah, which was used in Lostice before WWII went through a long journey. On Sunday the Torah took off in New York, flew over the ocean and 7.20 pm landed in Prague. Yesterday people from the US embassy pick up it and delivered it to the Jewish Museum in Prague. On June 17 a rabbi from congregation Hakafa, Illinois, who presently uses the scroll, will bring it "home". The Torah is actually a vanguard of a group of Americans, visiting Czech Republic. They were invited by the foundation Respect and Tolerance and by a town hall. Transportation of the Torah was organized with assistance of members of the US Congress and US Embassy in Prague. For instance help came from a member of Congress Rep. Tom Lantos, who is the holocaust survivor.
"On Saturday I received a phone call from the congressman's office, that the Torah is in JKF Airport in New York. Next day the people from the US Embassy informed me about the arrival of Torah to Prague. However, for security reasons the crate, which weights about 120 lb did not go to the storage in the Embassy. (It would have to pass X ray, etc.) The scroll was stored in the Jewish Museum in Prague. For museum experts it is an opportunity to examine this artifact," said Ludek Stipl from the foundation Respect and Tolerance.
He also explained it is for the first time that one of the 1564 Czech Torahs came back for visit. During the war Nazis confiscated Torahs from Bohemia and Moravia and stored them in Prague. In 1964 almost entire set was sold to the Westminster synagogue in London. This institution restored scrolls and now offers them on a long-term loan basis to Jewish congregations around the world.
An important occasion is still waiting for the Lostice Torah. Americans will read from the Torah during the worship, which will be open to public." It will be the first Jewish service in the Lostice synagogue since the Nazi occupation. It is also a spiritual return of those who did not survive the holocaust", said Ludek Stipl.
Photo: The Lostice Torah in States (before departure).
Friday June 17, 2005
Rare Jewish Scroll returning home after many years
Lostice. This historic artifact waited for its return to Czech Republic for forty years. For a return to its birthplace waited even about twenty-five years longer. Main subject of the story is a Torah - scroll made of parchment with hand written text, which is read in the synagogue. It is very important object, which has great value for Jewish people, as they believe the God is present in the scroll. The value of this Torah is about a half million crowns, but its story is also quite interesting. "It is symbolical and memorial object", said Olga Sixtova from the Jewish Museum in Prague.
Inheritance from (Nazi) Occupation
When Nazis decided destroy Czech Jewish population, they also confiscated Jewish historical artifacts including Torahs and concentrated them in Prague. Scrolls were stored there until 1964. In that year the communist government sold 1564 scrolls to West. Some of them were sold even with embroidered Torah binders. Now scrolls are being used by various Jewish congregations, mainly in USA. The Lostice Torah, which is also in the United States came back for a short visit. From all sold Torahs it is the first scroll, which came back. Its complicated journey was co-organized by two members of Congress and by the American Embassy (in Prague).
All detailed had to be prepared beforehand, so the Torah would stay undamaged and therefore kosher. The Scroll, which is not kosher can't be used for religious purposed and looses its value. At this moment the Lostice Torah is in the Lostice town hall and today there will be the first reading in the synagogue. "It is important occasion, which will remind people life of Jewish community in period before the war. The history of our town does not record any serious incidents between Jews and Christians. We are proud of this legacy", said the Mayor of Lostice Ctirad Lolek.
American rabbi
The Torah will be officially brought back to Lostice by Rabbi Elder. "He will conduct religious service in its spiritual home - in the Lostice synagogue", said Ludek Stipl from the foundation Respect and Tolerance. His foundation is reviving the Jewish traditions in the area. Torah will be photographed and documented by experts from the Jewish Museum. After that it will fly back to the United States.
Origin not too clear
The Lostice Torah was created in the 19th century, but the origin is not too clear. In 1964 the Czechoslovak government sold scrolls in a big rush and there was no time to do a proper documentation. Only a fraction (about 100 scrolls) stayed in Prague. "Sold scrolls were shipped out of the country (with original hand embroidered) binders, which in many cases have greater artistic and historic value than scrolls," said Sixtova. None of them will come back for good.
Saturday June 18, 2007
American Jews Came With the Torah to Lostice
Lostice. Yesterday in the afternoon a moving scene occurred in the Lostice town hall. Members of congregation Hakafa from Glencoe, Illinois saw their Torah again after two weeks. Torah was shipped to our country separately and members of congregation arrived today. They were invited by the town of Lostice and by foundation Respect and Tolerance. The Torah left congregation Hakafa for the first time in 20 years. However, it came home, as the scroll originated in the Lostice area. "During the last 20 years we have it unrolled on one place. Now in Lostice we will for the first time read from other section. The worship will be dedicated to people, who used to read from the Torah here in Lostice many years ago", said Rabbi Bruce Elder, shortly after he was welcomed by the Mayor Ctibor Lolek. Rabbi gave him greetings from the town of Glencoe and told him June 17 was declared there as the Lostice Day.
The scroll was later carried to the Lostice synagogue, where later on the rabbi conducted a religious service. It was the first worship there after 65 years. " The Lostice Torah is written in a special way and therefore it is little different than most other Torah," said Elder.
Saturday June 18, 2007
American Jews Came With the Torah to Lostice
Lostice. Yesterday a rare Torah returned to the Lostice synagogue. The scroll, which originated in Lostice (in Sumperk region) was brought back by members of congregation Hakafa. Rabbi Bruce Elder conducted service in its spiritual home. It was the very first worship in the synagogue since the Nazi occupation.
"The Torah was created in the 19th century and was used in the Lostice synagogue until the occupation. Nazis confiscated the scroll, but after liberation it remained in Prague, because the Jewish Community in Lostice was not renewed. In 1964 the Czechoslovak government sold 1564 scrolls to England", described the history of the Lostice Torah Ludek Stipl from the foundation Respect and Tolerance, which is documenting the Jewish history in the region. It is the first Torah, which came back for visit.
Saturday June 18 - Sunday June 19, 2005
Reading From the Rare Torah
Photo:
FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE WAR.Rare Torah (in front) returned to the Lostice synagogue after many years. Members of congregation Hakafa from USA brought the scroll back and Rabbi Bruce Elder conducted a service in its spiritual home - in the synagogue, which is located in the former Jewish quarter. It was the first worship in the Lostice synagogue since the Nazi occupation.
The synagogue was revived by religious service. After 65 years
The synagogue in Lostice finally had its day. After 65 endless years there was a service in the synagogue. It happened thanks to the American Rabbi Bruce Elder, who brought the Holy Torah, which originated in Lostice.
The Torah - parchment scroll containing hand written text, which is read during Jewish service. It is for the first time, that one of fifteen hundred sold Torahs came back for a visit. Nazis confiscated scrolls. Communists sold them.
It is a nice feeling, which is difficult to describe said Pavel Morgenstern, who was born in Lostice in 1941. He was two years old, when he went with other Jews to Terezin, where many of them perished.
Saturday June 18 - Sunday June 19, 2005
The synagogue revived by a worship
Photo: BACK HOME. An American Rabbi Bruce Elder brought the Torah back to Lostice. The scroll came back for a short time and soon will have to go back over the ocean. A writer Benjamin Kuras (second from left) also read from the Torah.
Nazis murdered many Jews from Lostice. "Each victim of holocaust has its place (seat) in benches. Some of the seats are also dedicated to living people", said Ludek Stipl from the foundation Respect ad Tolerance, which is reviving Jewish traditions in the region. Rabbi Bruce Elder begins service with his ringing voice. He doesn't look like a priest, he looks more like a manager. "Always when we read from the Torah, we are returning back to Jewish Community of Lostice and remember their dead. I am glad we came with Torah to its ancestral home," said Elder.
"The Lostice Torah is permanently rolled to one place for many years. We believe the Scroll is rolled to this place since 1940. We read it only once a year during the main Jewish holiday Yom Kippur", said Elder. During the symbolic return of the Torah to its spiritual home the Rabbi unrolled the scroll to different place for the first time. "This text is read today by all Jews around the world", explained the rabbi.
The idea about a symbolic return surfaced about two years ago. Many obstacles had to be overcome e.g. paperwork, customs regulation and cost of transportation. Rabbi Elder asked for help members of the American Congress. US Embassy also assisted with the transportation of the Losice Scroll. Soon it will be shipped back via Prague and New York.
Monday June 20, 2005
65 years of silence is over
Photo:
A young American Rabbi Bruce Elder during the service. He is using a Torah pointer, as it is prohibited to touch the text by hand.
Tuesday June 21, 2005
Jewish world revived in the exhibition
Lostice. Drawings and paintings, which were created for the exhibition There Once Was a World resulted from educational programs organized by the foundation Respect and Tolerance. "We went to schools and talk to students about history of Jewish communities in our region, described them basic symbols of Judaism and explained several life stories of local holocaust victims," said a member of the foundation Hana Heidenreichova.
Some recently acquired treasures are also presented on the exhibition. For instance19th century religious objects, donated by Edgar Ziegler from Canada, who was born in Mohelnice (near Lostice) before WWII. When he escaped the country in 1939 he took with him praying shawls (tallitot), praying straps (tefillin), a cover for Sabbath loaves (hallot) and other items, which belonged to his father and grandfather. Now he sent his family treasures to unknown people who revive memory of his ancestors.
"About two weeks ago we found two rare stained-glass windows from the Olomouc synagogue, which was burnt down by Nazis in 1939. Beautifully decorated windows were stored for 65 years in an attic. It is quite difficult to find out, how they were saved", mentioned Ludek Stipl from the foundation Respect and Tolerance.
One of the highlights of the exhibition was the Lostice Jewish Register from 1581, on loan from (state) archives.
The religious service in the Lostice synagogue was also attended by the Jaroslav Achab Haidler, who is the foremost Hebrew scholar (specializing in translation and interpretation of inscriptions on tombstones). On Saturday he guided American guests through the local Jewish cemetery.
Haidler described the Lostice project Respect and Tolerance as the best enter into Jewish - Christian dialog in the Czech Republic.
"Members of the working team started with nothing and created a great project, which has no parallel in our country. Many local people were drawn to their project. Jewish people were born here again", said Haidler.
Guests from the United States brought with them to Lostice the Torah. Before WWII the scroll was used in the local synagogue and now the same scroll is used by members of congregation Hakafa, near Chicago.
Photo:
Exhibition There Once Was a World also introduced rare objects, which were recently acquired by the foundation Respect and Tolerance.
Tuesday June 21, 2005
Jewish world revived in the exhibition
Unique exhibition titled There Once Was a World was installed in the Lostice synagogue in conjunction with the meeting of people of Lostice and foundation Respect and Tolerance with members of Jewish congregation Hakafa from the United States. People who attended a meeting and worship had opportunity to see artwork inspired by Jewish history - drawings and ceramic tiles created by students from high schools in Lostice and Usov, drawing by students of architecture, who created their works of art in the Usov Jewish quarters, and paintings, sculptures and photographs by professional artists. One of photographs was donated to the foundation by the well know photographer Jindrich Streit. Visitors could also see the Lostice Torah and stained-glass windows from the Olomouc synagogue, which was burnt down by Nazis (in 1939). Interior of the Lostice synagogue, which now reminds a war ruin was brought back to life by several ways - by music, prayers and by visual beauty.
Friday June 24, 2005
The First Jew who arrived to the (North) America was born in Prague
Working team Respect and Tolerance prepared a beautiful program for the rabbi Bruce Elder and members of congregation Hakafa from USA, who were ending their visit of the Lostice area. Guests from overseas were moved by a magic of Jewish cemetery in Lostice and by an atmosphere of the castle Bouzov. They had a private tour through the entire castle. It ended in the Knight Hall. This biggest and most beautiful hall in the castle was lit by several chandeliers full of real candles. Shortly after they visitors arrived to the Hall the concert of Jewish music started. Musicians - the professional trio called Bohemian Strings came from Ireland to perform in this concert. (They perform and teach classical music in Ireland).
Rabbi Bruce Elder was quite touched by the concert. "According to old saying gates to a heaven could be opened by a beautiful music. If there is any heaven, and I believe it is, its gates are wide open at this nice moment," said Elder with tears in his eyes.
Guests also saw the exhibition documenting the history of Jewish communities in the Lostice area. Foundation Respect and Tolerance installed this exhibition in the castle for the entire tourist season. One of the exhibition panels explains that Jewish ancestors of senator John Kerry came from a nearby town of Usov.
Ludek Stipl from the foundation Respect and Tolerance had another interesting information for them. Today (June 24) 420 years ago the first settler of Jewish faith landed in the North America. His name was Joachim Gans, he spoke Czech and was born in Prague. Gans was a member of the first English expedition to attempt to settle in what is today the Unites States. "Expedition, which was sent to New World by the Queen Elizabeth is well documented.
Gans was an expert in metallurgy and he settled in what is today North Carolina.
There is documentary and archeological evidence of his metallurgical work there," said about the first Jewish settler Ludek Stipl.
This week visitors from congregation Hakafa left for Hungary and Belarus. On Wednesday their Lostice Torah was brought to the Jewish Museum in Prague and today people from the US Embassy will take to the airport.
"Olga Sixtova from the department of old manuscripts confirmed that the Lostice Torah is quite valuable and it is older, than originally thought. She believes it was created during the first half of the 19th century, " said Hana Heidenreichova from the foundation Respect and Tolerance.
Photo:
Ludek Stipl (left) and Rabbi Bruce Elder in the Knight Hall
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
American Jews brought the Lostice Torah back home
(Text is a summary of previous articles regarding Hakafa visit).
Photo (from right to left):
1.
Rabbi Elder with one of the gifts, which Americans gave to the foundation Respect and Tolerance. Bruce Elder serves as a rabbi in congregation Hakafa since 1999, he is 35 years old, married with three children. His father was born in Hungary and survived the holocaust. His grandmother and aunt perished in Auschwitz.
2.
The Lostice Torah is shown to people of Lostice at the beginning of a ceremony. The Torah is a scroll of parchment containing first five books of Bible (Five Books of Moses).
3.
Exhibition There Once Was a World was installed for the Meeting in the Lostice synagogue. Visitors could see there many artifacts including rare stained-glass windows from the Olomouc synagogue, which was burnt down by Nazis in 1939.
4.
After the service people had an opportunity to view the Torah.
5.
The Lostice Children Choir Vetrnik performed during the Meeting in the synagogue. Many visitors wear skullcaps called yarmulke or kippah. Some kippot are decorated, knitted, others crocheted.
6.
The young rabbi from the United States Bruce Elder reads from the Lostice Torah. He is using a Torah pointer (Yad), because readers are prohibited to touch the text by a hand.
Tuesday July 12, 2005
Benches from synagogue turned into memorial
Lostice. Members of foundation Respect and Tolerance changed synagogue benches into an unusual symbolic memorial for victims of the holocaust. Three rows of carved wooden benches came from the Olomouc synagogue, which was burnt down by Nazis in 1939. No one knows exactly how benches were saved. Perhaps ten rows survived the fire. For many years they were used in a catholic church in Olsany near Prostejov. Recently benches were discovered and acquired by members of the foundation from Krnov. Three rows consisting of 21 seats were then obtained for the Lostice synagogue.
"Each seat is dedicated to a family or a small group of Jews, who perished during the holocaust. In the same time individual seats will be dedicated to friends of the foundation Respect and Tolerance, who morally or otherwise support our program or take part in our activities", said coordinator of foundation Respect and Tolerance Ludek Stipl. The Seat of Honor - the first seat in the first row is dedicated to the prewar time Rabbi of Olomouc and Lostice Dr. Berthold Oppenheim, who perished in Treblinka. The same seat is also dedicated to honorary member of foundation and Nobel Prize Winner - Prof. Elie Wiesel. Other seats were dedicated for instance to rabbi Bruce Elder and his congregation, to people who saved benches and windows from the Olomuc synagogue etc.
"The list of seats and names is permanently displayed in the synagogue. A small tablet with information will be placed on all seats. Thus each seat will represent a small monument. This is more practical system than a plaque made of marble. We can always add more information. We are still finding more details and names. So far we found 80 of them, " said a member of foundation Respect and Tolerance Hana Heidenreichova.
Purchase price of benches is 57 thousand crowns and another at least 30 thousand will be spent on restoration and consolidation. Some aid came from the United States. Children from congregation Hakafa in Illinois, which uses the Lostice Torah collected some money and made donation towards the bench project. "We accepted their donation and dedicated them seat # 8. They have now a permanent place in the Lostice synagogue. We believe, we will be able to find the needed amount of money with a help of friends and hopefully through some grants," explained Ludek Stipl.
Members of foundation Respect and Tolerance prepared the exhibition documenting history of Jewish communities in the Lostice. The exhibition is installed for entire tourist season in the Bouzov castle. (One of most visited castles in the country).
A witness of destruction of Olomouc synagogue tells his story
On June 24 Czech TV broadcasted a short program: Benches from the Olomouc synagogue turned into a memorial. Shortly after that a letter from the holocaust survivor Petr Bloch arrived to Lostice. Bloch remembers burning down the Olomouc synagogue very well:
I was quite excited and touched when I watched a short program on TV regarding benches from the Olomouc synagogue, which was destroyed almost 70 years ago. I am glad that benches were saved and installed in your synagogue. I remember that tragic night clearly.
I was eight years old and I lived with my parents and brothers behind the corner of the synagogue on Havlickova Street, so I was almost right there, when the synagogue was devastated. High flames were licking the entire building...Firemen came, but were not allowed to fight the blaze. The night was filled with sounds of cracking wood and clattering glass. Pungent smoke, coming out of the building was everywhere. The next day we saw a sad scene. The building was burnt down. Only walls protruded towards the sky and waving sheets of tin on domes were thundering in periodical rhythm. I was one of the first who entered the building. (I was a friend with Jiri Munch, who was a son of the custodian of the synagogue). Upon entering we were overwhelmed by a strong odor of burnt wood. I didn't want to believe my eyes, almost everything was scorched, walls were black from smoke and flames. Stained-glass windows were smashed by heat and I was afraid that the ceiling will fell down any time. I shall never forget that moment.
Perhaps you will be interested in a story, which happened during the demolition of the building. One of the German workers tried to remove a large metal Star of David, which was on the top of a central dome. Some people believed the star was made of pure gold. When he was cutting its support, the star broke off and fell down with a worker. He was dead on the spot. I could not erase this moment from my memory for a long time. Within several months the synagogue disappeared...
About a year ago the Jewish Community in Olomouc asked me for description of benches, which were recently discovered. I sent them some information. I used to sit in these benches quite often with my parents during holidays, so I am glad that they found a dignified place in your synagogue. I would like to visit your synagogue and sit for a while in the benches and remember my relatives and friends from Olomouc, who were praying in the benches, but unfortunately did not return home. I am proud that you started this task and that you are protecting a part of Jewish tradition in Olomouc area.
Photo:
BENCHE
Synagogue carved benches made of oak in 1897 will be restored in near future.
GRETA HIRSCHOVA
One of the seats is dedicated to Greta Hirschova. She was born on September 30, 1923 in Lostice and died on October 15, 1942 in Treblinka. Her father Karel Hirsch died in the same concentration camp. His Butcher's and smoked meat shop used to be located in the house near the town square (presently the restaurant U rytire).
SYNAGOGUE OLOMOUC
The synagogue in Olomouc was designed by the architect Jacob Gartner, who also designed synagogues in Holesov, Opava, Kromeriz, Hlohovec, Debrecin and in Vienna. The Olomouc magnificent synagogue was built in an Oriental - Byzantine style during 1892 - 1897. It was destroyed in 1939 (during the night - March 15 to 16). Nothing is left from the synagogue except eight windows and ten benches - seven in Krnov and three in Lostice.
STAINED GLASS WINDOWS AND RABBI BERTHOLD OPPENHEIM
Lostice/Olomouc. Some time ago the foundation Respect and Tolerance acquired three rows of benches, which came from the Olomouc synagogue. Quite recently they also discovered stained-glass windows, which someone saved from the same synagogue. In June two small windows were exhibited in the Lostice synagogue during the visit of the congregation Hakafa from the United States. One of the large windows is about 200cm (7 feet) high and was donated to the synagogue by the Rabbi Berthold Oppenheim. He was a rabbi in the Olomuoc from 1892 to 1939 and also served as a rabbi in Lostice in the period between world wars.
In 1897 Oppenheim opened and consecrated the Olomouc synagogue and he witnessed its destruction in 1939. In July 1942 Rabbi Oppenheim was transported to Terezin and in October of the same year was killed in the concentration camp Treblinka. He was 75 years.
Friday, July 17, 2005
Benches from synagogue turned into memorial
Lostice. Members of foundation Respect and Tolerance changed synagogue benches into an unusual symbolic memorial for victims of the holocaust. Three rows of carved wooden benches came from the Olomouc synagogue, which was burnt down by Nazis in 1939. No one knows exactly how benches were saved. Perhaps ten rows survived the fire. For many years they were used in a catholic church in Olsany near Prostejov. Recently benches were discovered and acquired by members of the foundation from Krnov. Three rows consisting of 21 seats were then obtained for the Lostice synagogue.
"Each seat is dedicated to a family or a small group of Jews, who perished during the holocaust. In the same time individual seats will be dedicated to friends of the foundation Respect and Tolerance, who morally or otherwise support our program or take part in our activities", said coordinator of foundation Respect and Tolerance Ludek Stipl. The Seat of Honor - the first seat in the first row is dedicated to the prewar time Rabbi of Olomouc and Lostice Dr. Berthold Oppenheim, who perished in Treblinka. The same seat is also dedicated to honorary member of foundation and Nobel Prize Winner - Prof. Elie Wiesel. Other seats were dedicated for instance to rabbi Bruce Elder and his congregation, to people who saved benches and windows from the Olomuc synagogue etc.
Prayers will bring live back to synagogue
Today in the evening Jewish prayers will be heard in the Lostice synagogue. It will be for the first time since the Nazi occupation. Twenty members of the congregation Hakafa from Glencoe, Illinois will visit Lostice. Rabbi Bruce Elder will bring with him the Torah, which was created many years ago for the Lostice synagogue. In 1964 the Czechoslovak government sold the whole set of Torahs to England. The Torah is a bible, hand written text on parchment - Five Books of Moses.
In the afternoon the Mayor Ctibor Lolek will officially welcome guests from the United States. Program in the synagogue will start at 4PM with the concert of the choir Vetrnik. About an hour later there will be opening of the exhibition. The exhibition titled There Once was a World consists of artwork inspired by the Jewish history. Works of art were created by students from local schools and by professional artists and photographers. Rabbi Bruce Elder will start the service around 5:30 PM. Mayors form the towns in the area, representatives of county and church and other institutions are expected to attend the meeting.
On Saturday guests from the United States will visit the castle Bouzov, where they will see the exhibition documenting the history of Jewish communities in the Lostice area.
© 2007 Developed by Jaroslav Brachtl AFirma.cz