Jewish history – Prague

From the 10th century onward, Prague became a beacon for Jewish scholars, merchants, and thinkers, building one of the most vibrant communities in Europe. But this rich cultural tapestry was marred by centuries of persecution. Despite their vital contributions to the city’s economy and culture, Prague’s Jews were often scapegoated, forced into ghettos, and subjected to brutal pogroms. The massacre of 1389, when thousands were slaughtered during Easter, still casts a long shadow over the community’s history.

Yet, amid the suffering, stories of hope and magic flourished. One of the most captivating legends is that of the Golem of Prague. In the late 16th century, the brilliant Rabbi Judah Loew, the Maharal of Prague, supposedly molded a creature from clay, infusing it with life through mystical rituals to protect his people from harm. This powerful figure, the Golem, became a symbol of resistance and strength, and his spirit lingers in the Old New Synagogue, where some say he still rests.

Despite the ravages of the Holocaust, which devastated Prague’s Jewish population, the community’s legacy endures. From the hauntingly beautiful Old Jewish Cemetery to the poignant inscriptions in the Pinkas Synagogue, the history of Prague’s Jews stands as a testament to the enduring human spirit, a legacy of resilience and hope that cannot be erased.