The Jewish Museum is documenting the life of Jews in post-war Czechoslovakia

Although it may seem to many people that the life of Jews after the end of the Second World War is too fresh a topic and perhaps less substantial than the Shoah period, the Jewish Museum in Prague feels that there is a considerable need and demand for it to document the fate and life of Czechoslovak Jews after 1945. This is why we intend in the future to focus more on post-war Jewish life, particularly by putting together collections (archive records and three-dimensional objects), recording interviews with eyewitnesses and undertaking our own research. We are interested not only in major events, but also in everyday life in Czechoslovakia, a country that became linguistically and ethnically homogenous after the Second World War and was a totalitarian state between 1948 and 1989. We would like to provide public access to the materials brought together – with the prior consent of the owners – at our exhibitions, in our reading rooms and, where possible, on the internet.

In this context, the Jewish Museum in Prague would be grateful for the assistance of anyone who owns documents that detail Jewish life – either of communities or individuals – in post-war Czechoslovakia. These may include personal recollections, letters, invitation cards to events, or any other printed matter (such as materials relating to the Israeli Embassy in Prague), photographs of celebrations of Jewish holidays and gatherings, as well as photographs and films from family archives.

The Jewish Museum in Prague would like to include the original materials it receives in its collections but will also be grateful for the possibility of making copies of them at its own cost. We guarantee that all materials provided on loan will be returned without any damage. All materials will be handled in accordance with the terms set out by the owners.
Materials may be sent to the address of the Jewish Museum in Prague at U Staré školy 1, 110 00 Prague 1, Czech Republic – either by mail or (after prior appointment) in person. For any queries please phone us at 222 749 252 or email us at po1945@jewishmuseum.cz

We would like to thank you in advance for your co-operation and understanding.

Leo Pavlát, Director of the Jewish Museum in Prague