Names of the victims under water

Recent flood damaged many buildings in the former Jewish ghetto in Prague's Old town. Apart from Old-New synagogue water most severely hit Pinkas synagogue, housing an impressive monument to the victims of final solution of Jewish question in Czech lands. During fifties 77 297 names of Jewish victims of Nazi persecution were written on its walls. Later the memorial was affected by the growing anti-Zionist tendencies in normalized Czechoslovakia. Synagogue was falling into disrepair, and when it was in 1968 due to its worsening technical condition closed, the communist regime under various pretences never allowed it to be opened again. Only after the velvet revolution was the memorial restored thanks to the effort of Jewish museum.

During the floods Pinkas synagogue was inundated, so that that level of water rose to one meter above the floor. It damaged not only the plaster with names, but partly also the walls and statics of the building. It is still not clear to precisely what extent the monument and building itself were damaged. Jewish museum is going to establish expert committee overseeing imminent repairs.

Dehumidification, restoration and renewal of the monument shall be a very costly process and it will take at least one year. In this situation the monument is very sensitive to any climate changes and vibrations, furthermore it is prone to spreading dangerous moulds, so during repairs it will remain closed. Jewish museum profoundly apologises for this necessary measure.

The Prague Jewish Community and Jewish museum have opened an US dollar bank account where contributions towards the restoration of damaged Jewish historic buildings can be sent. For more, see  www.jewishpragueflood.cz.

Bank Account: 179139212/0300

Name of the Account: Židovská obec v Praze (Prague Jewish Community)

Name of the Bank: ČSOB, Prague 7

SWIFT: CEKOCZPP