Czech Republic

Jewish Tours to the Czech Republic: Czech it out!

The Czech Republic has been imbued with a vivid Jewish presence for hundreds of years. Many towns had large Jewish populations, and a great many Czech Jews have made substantial cultural contributions, both religious and secular. We feel it is time to offer a tour solely devoted to this rich legacy, as well as to the communities that still thrive.

From fine crystal to Franz Kafka, from kosher vineyards to the venerable Rabbi Loew (associated with the legendary Golem of Prague), you will sense the mystique of this part of the world. We call this journey “Czech It Out” — and hope you will do just that.

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Explore Our 7 day tour to Central Europe

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Day 1 Thursday Arrival in Prague

Welcome to this gorgeous Central European capital! Upon arrival, transfer. Continue on a tour of Prague, uniquely one of Europe’s most charming and picturesque cities. See the Prague Castle, situated on top of Hradcany Hill, which offers spectacular views of the city below. It is now the official residence of the President of the Czech Republic. Next, walk toward the Lesser Town and its picturesque streets, typical baroque houses, as well as galleries featuring emerging local talent. Cross the historic Charles Bridge and reach the Church of Saints Cyril and Methodius. During the Nazi era, its basement became the hiding place for Czech freedom fighters after they assassinated the Reich governor of Bohemia and Moravia, Reinhard Heydrich. They were betrayed and killed by the Gestapo and SS after a brave fight. Return to the hotel to rest and refresh before enjoying. Dinner. Iron Gate Hotel & Suites. (D)

Day 2 Friday Prague

Today is dedicated to a Jewish tour of Prague. Begin in its uniquely-preserved Jewish Quarter, known as Josefhov, which survived, ironically, due to the Nazi’s demonic intention of making Prague itself a museum of the “Vanished Jewish Race.” The Jewish Quarter is actually one of the principal sights for tourists of all religions when touring Prague. Stroll the charming streets and visit the Maisel, Spanish, Pinkas, and Klaus Synagogues, the Ceremonial Hall, and the oldest existing synagogue, the Old-New (“Alt-Neu”) Synagogue. Prague’s Jewish Museum uses several of these synagogues as exhibits, and boasts one of the most extensive Judaica collections in the world. You will also visit the Jubilee synagogue and the striking Old Cemetery, dating back to the 15th century. This is the burial place for many of Prague’s famous Jews, among them the legendary Rabbi Loew. Friday Night Dinner. Iron Gate Hotel & Suites.

Day 3 Saturday Prague

In the morning, enjoy Shabbat Services at a nearby synagogue or a morning at leisure, followed by Lunch. Later, in the afternoon, meet at the JCC for a fascinating and informative talk with members of the community about contemporary life. Later, a fascinating visit to the Kafka Museum, celebrating this brilliant, unique, and somehow most Jewish of European authors. Next, gain insight into Franz Kafka’s life, work, as well as the relationship with the city of Prague, where he is buried. Most of all, you will understand the meaning of the oft-used word, “kafkaesque.” Iron Gate Hotel & Suites.

Day 4 Sunday Prague – Terezin – Karlovy Vary

Visit Terezin, also known as Theriesenstadt. This former fortress was, on the order of Heydrich, transformed into a notorious “model” concentration camp, from which Jews from all parts of Europe were assembled while waiting to be transported to their deaths. In this site of unfathomable cruelty, creative artists gave beauty and hope to their fellow inmates in the form of cultural heroism — producing plays, poetry, music, and even literary journals. After lunch, travel deeper into the Czech Republic to the charming town of Karlovy Vary. Also known as Carlsbad, Karlovy Vary was and remains an internationally famed spa for the gentry of the Czech Republic and Eastern Europe – including notables like Freud, Kafka, and Chaim Weizmann, Israel’s first president. After a brief tour of the city, enjoy a meeting with members of the community at the JCC. Imperial Hotel. (B/L)

Day 5 Monday Karlovy Vary – Pilsen – Cesky Krumlov

Depart Karlovy Vary for a visit to Pilsen, also known as Plzen. Known worldwide for its local “pilsner” style beer, this city is adorned by the Gothic St. Bartholomew’s Cathedral, whose tower is the highest in the country, and the Renaissance Town Hall. Continuing the tour, see Pilsen’s synagogues, including the Moorish Revival Great Synagogue, the second largest in Europe (after the Dohany Synagogue in Budapest). Pilsen was also influential in the life of Rabbi Isaac Mayer Wise, who later traveled to America and founded Hebrew Union College, vital to the Jewish Reform Movement. Afterwards, enjoy a lunch a the JCC. Continue to Český Krumlov to tour this UNESCO World Heritage Site, full of well-preserved medieval history and Bohemian castle dominating the skyline. Visit the Egon Schiele Gallery, devoted to the expressionist painter, a protégé of Klimt. His often erotic, always darkly expressive works are unforgettable. Bellevue Hotel. (B/L)

Day 6 Tuesday Cesky Krumlov – Trebic – Mikulov

Embark on a visit to Trebic, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The ensemble of the Jewish Quarter, the old Jewish cemetery, and the Basilica of St Procopius in Třebíč combine as reminders of the co-existence of Jewish and Christian cultures from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Tour the quaint Jewish Quarter and beautifully maintained cemetery. Lunch. Thereafter, continue to Mikulov a cultural center of Moravian Jewry (known in Yiddish as “Nikolshburg”). Still the hub of Czech wine production, including a wonderful kosher winery (the only one in this region). Its heritage boasts the legendary scholar, Rabbi Loew — also known as “the Maharal” — who lived here for two decades, composing philosophical and religious treatises. You will also see the renewed synagogue and well-maintained cemetery, which is one of the largest in this country. In the evening, enjoy a kosher wine-tasting, accompanied by Dinner. Galant Hotel. (B/L/D)

Day 7 Wednesday Mikulov – Brno – Boskovice

Transfer to Brno, second largest city in the Czech Republic, and seat of its judiciary. Jews have lived here since the 13th century, and the synagogue, which you will see during the brief tour of the town, survived WWII with its beauty intact. Next, enjoy lunch at the small JCC, which is the natural center of the community of Brno. Afterwards, visit the well maintained cemetery. Next, travel to Boskovice, once the seat of a large Jewish community (indeed, one third of the population was once Jewish). You will see its newly restored synagogue along the narrow lanes of the ghetto as well as the well-kept cemetery. For the past few decades, Jewish cultural festivals have been held in Boskovice’s Jewish Quarter, attended by people from all over the Czech Republic. Dinner. Pod Zamkem Hotel.

Day 8 Thursday Boskovice – Polna – Prague

Today, we embark on a visit to Polna, a medieval village founded in the 12th century. Polna also achieved a sort of notoriety as the site of an unjust Jewish case much like that of Dreyfus – the Hilsner Affair. At the start of the 20th century, a series of anti-Semitic trials took place here, following an accusation of blood libel against Leopold Hilsner, a Jewish inhabitant. The affair achieved widespread media publicity at the time. See the town’s well-preserved Jewish Quarter and synagogue (one of the Czech “10 Stars” project, along with Pilsen, Boskovice and Mikulov). Afterwards, travel back to PragueSoon thereafter enjoy a Farewell Dinner. Iron Gate Hotel & Suites.

Day 9 Friday Prague – Home flights

Time for an early breakfast. Afterwards, transfer to the airport for home flights, or continue on a post-tour extension beyond the Czech Republic experience. (B)