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1. Introduction
2. General information
3. 2000 attendance statistics
4. New exhibitions
5. Contacts and collaboration in the Czech Republic
and abroad
6. Specialist and research work
7. Educational activities
8. Cultural activities
9. Publications and retail activities
10. Archives and documentation
11. Collections
12. Library
13. Computer network
14. Technical and construction projects
15. Prominent visits
16. Sponsors’ donations
17. Donations provided by the JMP
Attachments: information about economy JMP
1. Introduction
The Jewish Museum in Prague (JMP),
which was re-established on 1 October 1994 after the dissolution
of the State Jewish Museum, continued in the year 2000 with its
long-term programme of development. As in previous years, this was
focused on removing problems caused by years of neglect and restrictions
under Communism. It involved, primarily, maintaining the buildings
in which it operates; upgrading storage facilities for its collections;
safeguarding its collections and exhibitions by means of a modern
security system; and carrying out computer-based cataloguing and
digitization of its collections. In the last few years the JMP fully
refurbished all the historic buildings that are being used, with
the agreement of their owner, the Prague Jewish Community, for exhibition
purposes. In 2000 the JMP completed the conversion of a former Jewish
hospital adjoining the Spanish Synagogue into the Museum’s new office
and research centre, where it began operations at the beginning
of 2001. The new headquarters fully meet all the requirements for
a museum of the 21st century as well as complying with the needs
of both specialists and the general public. It will be possible
here to develop more effectively the JMP’s activities in research,
publishing, consultation, education and culture concerning Judaic
studies and Jewish history, as well as restoration and conservation
activities involved in the preservation of collection items.
In terms of the scope of its activities, research and financial
results, 2000 was the most successful year in the over ninety year’s
existence of the Museum. Credit for this goes to all its staff who
are to be thanked for their professionalism and their sensitive
approach to the unique treasures that commemorate the culture of
Bohemian and Moravian Jews and their persecution in the Second World
War.
In the course of the year 2000, 94 people were employed
full-time, 165 on a freelance basis.
2. General information
a) Property managed by the JMP
- Administration building, U staré školy 1,
Prague 1: Museum administration, specialist departments and depositories
- The Maisel Synagogue: the main nave houses
the permanent exhibition The History of the Jews in Bohemia
and Moravia – I. From the First Settlements until Emancipation.
145 originals and facsimiles on display
- The Pinkas Synagogue: the main nave features
the Memorial to the Victims of the Nazi Genocide of Bohemian
and Moravian Jews; the gallery houses the permanent exhibition
Children’s Drawings from Terezín. 238 originals and facsimiles
on display
- The Klausen Synagogue: the main nave houses
the permanent exhibition Jewish Customs and Traditions – I.
The Synagogue and Festivals; the gallery houses the permanent
exhibition, Jewish Customs and Traditions – II. The Course
of Life. 474 originals and facsimiles on display. The JMP
Reservation Centre is also located on the premises of the building.
- The Ceremonial Hall: Continuation of the permanent
exhibition Jewish Customs and Traditions – II. The Course of
Life. 140 originals and facsimiles on display
- The Spanish Synagogue: the main nave and gallery
house the exhibition The History of the Jews in Bohemia and
Moravia – II. From Emancipation to the Present. 535 originals
and facsimiles on display
- The Education and Culture Centre of the JMP,
Maiselova 15, Prague 1
- The Old Jewish Synagogue (15th-18th century)
- An 18th century Jewish Cemetery in Fibichova
Street, Prague
- A former 1930s synagogue in Smíchov, Prague:
future JMP archive department
- The main textile depository housed in a 19th
century rural synagogue
- A 19th century synagogue in Brandýs nad Labem:
future storage area for part of the JMP Library
b) Services provided by the JMP:
- Permanent exhibition tours
- Short-term exhibition tours
- Advanced booking via the JMP Reservation Centre
- Guided visits
- Special lectures and visits via the Education
and Culture Centre of the JMP
- Seminars on Jewish themes
- Cultural programmes on Jewish themes at the
Education and Culture Centre of the JMP
- Use of the ORT computer room which is focused
on Jewish themes with access to the Internet and special software
- Specialist library services for the professionals
and the general public
- Consultation for the professionals and the
general public on issues related to the history of Bohemian and
Moravian Jews
- Consultation services for the professionals
and the general public on issues related to the persecution of
Bohemian and Moravian Jews during the Second World War
- Historic images available for reproduction
- JMP publications and publicity material
3. Attendance figures for
the year 2000
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|
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Attendance
figures for the year 2000 |
|
|
|
Month |
Total
number of visitors |
|
|
Special educational programme |
|
|
|
|
Adults |
Children |
Adults |
Children |
Jan. |
14
842 |
|
10
311 |
3
649 |
358 |
524 |
Feb. |
20
395 |
|
11
405 |
7
481 |
458 |
1
051 |
Mar. |
50
831 |
|
23
867 |
24
732 |
626 |
1
606 |
Apr. |
71
537 |
|
38
541 |
29
960 |
711 |
2
325 |
May |
65
388 |
|
44
549 |
15
858 |
1
147 |
3
834 |
Jun. |
57
383 |
|
42
168 |
10
868 |
1
024 |
3
323 |
Jul. |
65
927 |
|
46
690 |
16
215 |
1
360 |
1
662 |
Aug. |
80
476 |
|
61
111 |
16
889 |
1
218 |
1
258 |
Sep.
|
55
121 |
|
39
759 |
13
186 |
133 |
2
043 |
Oct. |
54
017 |
|
38
058 |
12
119 |
141 |
3
699 |
Nov. |
31
179 |
|
22
234 |
6
842 |
251 |
1
852 |
Dec. |
29
992 |
|
22
421 |
6
684 |
110 |
777 |
TOTAL
|
597
088 |
|
401
114 |
164
483 |
7
537 |
23
954 |
4. New exhibitions
a) Temporary exhibitions
- Genizot – Findings in Bohemian and
Moravian Synagogues. Winter Prayer Hall of the Spanish Synagogue,
4 Nov. 1999 – 30 Jan. 2000
- Jamim mikedem – Old Jewish Postcards. Winter
Prayer Hall of the Spanish Synagogue, 1 Mar. 2000 –
31 Aug. 2000
- Beit Levitus – Memories of a Family House,
Chava Pressburger. Winter Prayer Hall of the Spanish Synagogue,
13 Sep. 2000 – 31 Dec. 2000
b) JMP exhibitions outside Prague,
participation in exhibitions organized by other institutions (loans
and consultation)
- In the Czech Republic
- Třebíč,
The Rear Synagogue – Sites of the Třebíč Jewish Community
- Rychnov nad Kněžnou,
The District Museum of the Orlické Mountains – expansion of a
permanent exhibition on Jewish festivals
- The Synagogue in Polná – A History of the
Synagogue and the Jewish Quarter in Polná and The Story of Leopold
Hilsner
- The Brno City House of Art – Jewish Moravia,
Jewish Brno. Organized by K2001, a company concerned with culture
and dialogue
- Český
Krumlov, The Egon Schiele Art Centre – touring exhibition Friedl.
The Life and Art of Friedl Dicker-Brandeis
- The Terezín Memorial – a new exhibition of
the Ghetto Museum in Terezín
- The Terezín Memorial – presentation of remaining
material for the exhibition Terezín Theatre
- The Institute for the Preservation of Monuments
and the Protection of Nature, Pilsen – collaboration in the preparation
of a monument to Holocaust victims from Pilsen
- The Boskovic Museum – preparation of photographs
for an exhibition of Bruno Zwicker
- The Mělník District
Museum – preparation of exhibition material and lists of Holocaust
victims
- The Brno City House of Art – exhibition 90
Years of the Brno City House of Art. The History of a House
- The Prague City Gallery (in collaboration
with the Prague Castle Administration) – an exhibition of the
collected works of František Bílek (loan of a wooden sculpture)
II. Abroad
- The Moravian College, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania,
USA – Strategies of Survival. Exhibition of the work of Friedl
Dicker-Brandeis and Terezín children on the occasion of the Strategies
of Survival Symposium
- The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
in Washington DC, USA – annual replacement of 15 original children’s
drawings for a permanent exhibition
- Paris, Musée d’Art et d’Histoire du Judaisme
– touring exhibition Friedl. The Life and Art of Friedl Dicker-Brandeis
- Johannesburg, JAR – an exhibition of children’s
drawings from Terezín (in collaboration with the Czech Ministry
of Foreign Affairs)
- The Tokyo Holocaust Education Resource Center,
Japan – preparation of documents and drawings for the exhibition
The Holocaust Seen Through Children’s Eyes
- The Soka Soka Gakkai International, Perth,
Australia – exhibition of children’s drawings from Terezín
- The Imperial War Museum, London – loan for
the exhibition The Holocaust
- The Panorama Museum, Bad Frankenhausen – exhibition
Aleš Veselý: Zeichnungen und Objekte
- Patrimoine Photographique of the French Ministry
of Culture – exhibition of photographs on the theme of the Holocaust
- The Sachsenhausen Memorial – preparation of
documents and photographs for a new exhibition
5. Collaboration in the Czech
Republic and abroad
The JMP collaborated with 60 foreign and 96 local
political, administrative, cultural, academic and educational institutions,
including:
- The Ronald S. Lauder Foundation, USA
- The Rich Foundation, Israel
- Yad Vashem, Israel
- Hitahdut Yotsei Czechoslovakia, Israel
- The American Joint Distribution Committee,
USA
- The Memorial Foundation for Jewish Culture,
USA
- The Jewish Heritage Council, World Monuments
Fund, USA
- The Jewish Publication Society, USA
- Europäische Kommission – Generaldirektion
X – Programm Raphael
- The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
- The Bar-Ilan University, Israel
- The Israel Museum, Jerusalem, Israel
- Hochschule für Jüdische Studien, Heidelberg,
Germany
- Uniwersytet Wrocławski,
Vratislav, Poland
- The Institute of Microfilmed Hebrew Manuscripts
of the Jewish National and University Library, Jerusalem, Israel
- The Bodleian Library, Oxford, UK
- Bibliotheca Rosenthaliana, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Synagogue Art Research /R. and B. Dorfman/,
Jerusalem, Israel
- Artsgenesis Institutes, New York , USA
- The Czech and Slovak Jewish Communities Archive,
New York , USA
- Institut für Geschichte der Juden in Österreich,
St. Pölten (The Institute for the History of the Jews in Austria),
Austria
- Gesellschaft zur Förderung Jüdischer Kultur
und Traditionen, Mnichov, Germany
- The Institute of Jewish Studies, Bratislava,
Slovakia
- Beit Hatefutsoth, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Beit Theresienstadt, Israel
- The Museum of Jewish Heritage, New York ,
USA
- The Jewish Museum New York , USA
- The Simon Wiesenthal Center – Museum of Tolerance,
Los Angeles, USA
- The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum,
Washington DC, USA
- Musée d’Art et d’Histoire du Judaďsme, Paris
(The Museum of Art and History of Judaism), France
- Jüdisches Museum, Vienna, Austria
- Państwowe muzeum
Oświęcim-Brzezinka, Poland
- Gedenkstätte Bergen-Belsen, Germany
- The Tokyo Holocaust Education Resource Center,
Japan
- The Imperial War Museum, London, UK
- The Museum Victoria – Immigration Museum,
Melbourne, Australia
- The Soka Gakkai International., Melbourne,
Australia
- Staatliche Museen zu Berlin – Neue Nationalgalerie,
Germany
- Museen der Stadt Nürnberg, Germany
- Museen der Stadt Vienna, Austria
- Kunstforum Vienna, Austria
- Regensburg – Amt fur Denkmalpflege und Archiv,
Germany
- Patrimoine Photographique, Paris, France
- Fondatione Antonio Ratti, Como, Italy
- Institut für Kulturgeschichte der Textilien,
Universität Dortmund, Germany
- The Publishing House H. L. Levin Associates,
USA
- The Publishing House Picture Vision, USA
- Ukrzachidproektrestavracija, Lvov, Ukraine
- The Temple Torah Synagogue, Florida, USA
- The Finchley Reform Synagogue, London, UK
- The Temple Sholom of West Essex, New Jersey,
USA
- The Temple Judea of Bucks County, Pensylvania,
USA
- Begegnungsstätte Kleine Synagoge Erfurt, Germany
- The Moravian College, Bethlehem, PA, USA
- The Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic
- The Ministry of the Interior of the Czech
Republic
- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech
Republic
- The Embassy of the State of Israel in the
Czech Republic
- The Federation of Jewish Communities in the
Czech Republic
- The Jewish Community of Prague
- The Jewish Community of Brno
- The Jewish Community of Pilsen
- The Jewish Community of Teplice
- The Jewish Community of Ostrava
- The Jewish Community of Olomouc
- The Jewish Community of Liberec
- The Jewish Community
of Děčín
- Matana, a.s., Prague
- The Terezín Memorial
- The Terezín Initiative
- The Institute of the Terezín Initiative
- The Holocaust Phenomenon Project
- The Union of Jewish Youth
- The Gideon Klein Foundation
- The Palacký University
- The Litomyšl School of Restoration and Conservation
Technology
- The Institute for Contemporary History at
the Czech Academy of Sciences
- The Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design,
Prague
- The Faculty of Education, Charles University,
Prague
- The Higher Professional School of Graphic
Art, Prague
- The National Library of the Czech Republic
- The Library of the National Museum
- The State Central Archive
- The Prague City Archive
- The Moravian Land Archive in Brno
- The National Museum Archive
- The State District Archive in Prague
- The State District
Archive in Litoměřice
- The State District
Archive in Třebon, Jindřichův Hradec Section
- The State District
Archive in Pelhřimov
- The Map Archive of the Surveyors’ Office,
Prague
- The Map Collection of the Charles University
- The National Museum in Prague
- The Prague City Museum
- The Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague
- The Association of Museums and Galleries in
the Czech Republic
- ICOM, CEICOM
- The Břeclav Museum
and Gallery
- The Museum of
Dr. A. Hrdlička, Humpolec
- The Cheb Museum
- The Karlovy Vary Museum
- The Litomyšl Museum
- The Memorial of Adolf Kašpar, Loštice
- The Museum of Central Otava Region, Strakonice
- The Walachian
Open-Air Museum, Rožnov pod Radhoštěm
- The Regional Museum of Teplice
- The Vamberk Lace Museum
- The Museum of Romany Culture
- The Regional
Museum of Vysočiny Jihlava, Polná Section
- The District
Museum of the Orlické Mountains, Rychnov nad Kněžnou
- The District
Museum of Mělník
- The District Museum of Chomutov
- The District
Museum of Příbram
- The Polabí Museum
in Poděbrady, Section: The Regional Museum of Nymburk
- The Regional Museum of Mikulov
- The Boskovice Museum
- The Franz Kafka Centre, Prague
- The Franz Kafka Gallery, Prague
- The National Gallery in Prague
- The Prague City Gallery
- The Klatovy / Klenová Gallery
- The Brno City House of Art
- The Egon Schiele
Art Centre, Český Krumlov
- The State Institute for the Care of Historic
Monuments
- The Prague Institute for the Care of Historic
Monuments
- The Historic Monument Institute of Central
Bohemia
- The Historic Monument Institute of Northern
Bohemia, Ústí nad Labem
- The Historic Monument Institute of Pilsen
- The Historic Monument Institute of Olomouc
- Prague City Hall
- The Editio Bärenreiter Publishing House, Prague
- The Medard Publishing House, Prague
- The Open Society Fund
- Radio Classic, Prague
6. Specialist and research
activities
a) Preparation of new exhibitions
I. In the Czech Republic
- The History of the Jews in Bohemia
and Moravia – I. From the First Settlements until Emancipation:
new arrangement and expansion of the permanent exhibition in the
Maisel Synagogue (opening in April 2001)
- Regional exhibitions
in Břeclav, Mikulov, Děčín, Turnov, Březnice, Lomnice, Mělník
, Litomyšl, Žatec
- Exhibition of the work of Robert Guttmann
(opening in April 2001)
- Exhibition of the work of Avi Biran (planned
opening in May 2001)
- Exhibition of synagogue textiles (planned
opening in May 2002 in the Imperial Stables of Prague Castle)
- The Glory of the Baroque in Bohemia (participation
in the National Gallery exhibition planned for 27.4.-28.10.2001)
- Břeclav
Museum and Gallery – exhibition of Jewish settlement in the region
(preparation of photographic material)
II. Abroad
- Touring exhibition in South America
(planned for 2003)
- Exhibition of copies of children’s drawings
in Schloss Bernburg, Germany (planned for January – March 2001)
- Legacy of Silence. Exhibition of drawings
by Terezín artists, The Imperial War Museum, London (planned for
2001)
- Artists in the Terezin Ghetto, Ostdeutsche
Galerie Regensburg (planned for 2002)
- The Holocaust Museum, Saint Petersburg, Florida,
preliminary negotiations concerning an exhibition of drawings
by Terezín children
- Preparatory work for a new Czech exhibition
in Auschwitz (in collaboration with the Terezín Memorial)
b) Material for local and foreign
institutions
- Collaboration with genealogists and local
historians in the Czech Republic and abroad – preparation of literature
searches
- Negotiations concerning the preparation of
microfilms for Yad Vashem
- Negotiations concerning the provision of copies
for The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
- Preparation of
copies from the Egon Ledeč papers and selection/preparation of
documents from the Gideon Klein papers for Prof. David Bloch (Israel)
- Preparation of material from the Gideon Klein
papers to be scanned for Mark D.Ludwig
- Identification of photographs from the collections
of The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
- Consultation with staff at the Leo Baeck Institute,
including a selection of material and preparation of study copies
for an exhibition being prepared
- Preparation of study copies of archive documents
for a Canadian documentary film about Terezín House I L 417
- Selection and preparation of positive prints
and slides for screening at a lecture in Japan
- Selection and preparation of the scanning
of photographs for a book about Pilsen
c) Research activities
- Department of Jewish Studies and the History
of the Jews
Research topics:
- Relations of State and Church institutions
towards Jews in the 17th and 18th centuries (A. Putík )
- The Sabbatanian movement in Bohemia (A.
Putík )
- Censorship of Hebrew books (A. Putík
)
- Topography of the Prague Ghetto (A. Putík
)
- Epigraphs – synagogues and Jewish cemeteries
(V. Hamáčková)
- The Genizah as a source for the history of
Jewish communities in Bohemia and Moravia (O. Sixtová)
- Jewish literature, manuscript records and
letter-prints in Bohemia and Moravia (O. Sixtová)
- Preparation of an information database of
Jewish communities in the Czech Republic (J. Fiedler)
- Demography of the Jewish population of Bohemia
and Moravia – archive research (J. Fiedler)
- History of the Holocaust of Bohemian and Moravian
Jews (A. Franková, J. Šplíchalová)
- Reminiscences of Holocaust survivors (A. Hyndráková,
A. Lorencová)
II. The Collection Department
Research topics:
- Jewish portraits in the emancipation era (M. Hájková)
- Friedl Dicker-Brandeis and children’s drawings
from Terezín (M. Hájková)
- Work resulting from membership in the Expert
team for a clarification of historic and economic issues concerning
the confiscation of Jewish property, established in the framework
of the Mixed Working Committee, which was set up by the Czech
Government in November 1998 – a research report was presented
on 29. 9. 2000 (M. Veselská, M. Hájková)
- Tracing of the original owners of items from
the art collection (M. Hájková, G. Šarochová)
- Tracing of the original owners of items based
on information from acquisition books as part of measures addressing
restitution issues (H. Kopřivová,
M. Veselská)
- Textile finds in the genizot of Bohemian and
Moravian synagogues – structure, characteristics, iconography
(D. Veselská)
III. Library
Long-term research topics:
- Prague Hebrew prints in the JMP library holdings
(A. Braunová)
- Origin of the JMP library holdings – article
for Judaica Bohemiae (A. Braunová)
d) Meeting of the Association
of European Jewish Museums
Between 26 and 28 March 2000
the tenth annual meeting of the Association of European Jewish Museums
was held in Prague. This event, which was hosted by the JMP and
organized by the Jood Historich Museum in Amsterdam, brought together
around 40 specialists from 23 European Jewish museums. Discussions
were held at the Education and Culture Centre. In addition, the
JMP showed the participants round all its exhibitions and depositories.
7. Educational activities
a) The Cultural and Educational Centre
I. Educational programmes for Czech
schools (primary and secondary schools, universities, teacher training)
- attended by 5,380 persons at the Centre,
422 outside Prague. The Workshop programme involved the participation
of 1,199 school pupils. (See VII)
II. Educational programmes
for foreign visitors (students, teachers, tourists)
- attended by 230 persons from USA,
Uk , Israel and Sweden.
III. Courses for tour guides
IV. Seminars
In collaboration with the Terezín Memorial and
the Czech Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, the ECC contributed
to the organization of 12 three-day seminars on the theme How to
teach about the Holocaust. These seminars also covered a general
history of Bohemian Jewry and a history of anti-Semitism. They were
attended by 400 teachers between March and December.
V. Projects
The ECC developed three different
educational projects in 2000.
The Lost Neighbours project is
intended for primary and secondary school children. The aim is to
trace Holocaust survivors in their neighbourhoods and to record
their testimonies or those of others who bore witness to these events.
The school pupils put their findings in written reports as part
of a broader attempt to record the history of the Jewish settlement
in particular regions and to document the state of local Jewish
sites. The first volume comprising 7 contributions by about 30 students
was published in November. Those involved in the project were met
by President Havel. More than 40 contributions by around 100 pupils
have been put together for further volumes.
The Art in Extreme Situations
project is also intended for 12-15 year-old children. It begins
with a visit to the Memorial to the Victims of the Nazi Genocide
of Bohemian and Moravian Jews in the Pinkas Synagogue and to an
exhibition of children’s drawings from the Terezín Ghetto. The aim
is to provide a basic insight into the persecution of the Jews during
the Nazi occupation. The programme continues in the Workshop where
the pupils are encouraged to express their feelings through art.
Around 70 pupils took part in this new project in 2000.
The project About the Boy Who
Did Not Become a Number was prepared by the ECC in collaboration
with the Primary Education Department of the Faculty of Education,
Charles University for the training of future elementary school
teachers. A series of three lectures addressed the possibility of
incorporating the theme of the Shoah into the teaching of the Czech
language, art and social science. The lectures were thematically
linked to drawings by B. Fritta from the Terezín Ghetto and an accompanying
text by Ivan Klíma (About The Boy who didn’t Become a Number). 30
teachers took part in this project.
The ECC prepared a JMP exercise
book for primary and secondary school children as well as special
material for teachers. Both texts will be used in the course of
educational activities of the ECC in 2001.
VI. Activities of the ORT
centre
- JMP website – enlargement, information
updates, Internet sale of books
- Public services with special focus on
members of Jewish communities:
- advice concerning the use of the Internet
and CD-ROMS
- giving researchers access to CD-ROMS of
children’s drawings
- assistance in database searches for Holocaust
victims
VI. Lectures
- A series of lectures connected with a visit
to the Museum and a viewing of objects and documents related to
specific themes and combined with film screenings. The aim is
to provide basic information and to broaden knowledge of Jewish
history, personages, customs and traditions within the context
of Bohemia and Moravia. The series is intended for school children
and university students. The key lectures are as follows: The
Jewish Religion, Culture, Tradition and Art, Biblical History,
The History of the Jews in Bohemia and Moravia, Anti-Semitism
and Xenophobia, The Genocide of Jews in the Second World
War, The Post-War Development of Jewish Communities and
Czech Relations to Israel, and Rescuers and Rescued – Narratives
of Survivors
- A series of lectures for students of the Faculty
of Social Sciences at the Charles University (History of the
State of Israel, The Czech Jewish Community in an European
Context) and for The New York University in Prague (Modern
History of Central European Jewry) (M. Pojar)
- A series of lectures for students of the Film
and TV School at the Academy of Performing Arts (FAMU) The
History and Culture of Jews. A series of lectures for students
of FAMU (M. Pojar, L. Pavlát,
A. Pařík )
b) Department of Jewish Studies
and the History of the Jews
I. Participation in conferences,
symposiums, discussions and lectures
- Moravian Jews in the Austro-Hungarian
Empire (1780-1918). The 26th Mikulov Symposium, October 2000
(V. Hamáčková, A. Putík
)
- The Confiscation of Jewish Property
in Bohemia and Moravia 1939-1945, ECC, 13–15 November
2000 (V. Hamáčková, A. Franková,
J. Šmejkalová, J. Šplíchalová, A. Putík )
- Terezín Initiative Meeting (A. Franková,
V. Baumová)
- The Prague Jewish Town. Lecture
delivered as part of the Prague Festival of Jewish Culture Nine
Gates, 21 November 2000 (A. Pařík
)
- The Prague Burial Society and Dr. Jonas
Jeiteles. Lecture delivered in Pilsen, 9-11 March 2000 (A. Pařík
)
- Research into Genizot in Bohemia
and Moravia. Lecture delivered at the meeting of the European
Association of Jewish Museums in Prague (O. Sixtová,
A. Pařík )
- The History and Reconstruction of
Prague Synagogues. Lecture delivered at the ICOMOS international
symposium in Prague (A. Pařík
)
II. Media and publication
projects
- Articles in Rosh Hodesh, the monthly
paper of the Federation of Jewish Communities (J. Fiedler)
- Hilsneriáda
a historie obvinění z rituální vraždy [The Hilsner
Case and a History of the Blood Libel], an article for the periodical
Střední Evropa (A. Pařík )
- Reviewing of Jewish themes in prepared textbooks
of history, civics and social sciences (L. Pavlát)
- Israeli Television – tracing archive material
for a documentary film (V. Hamáčková)
- Czech Television – tracing photo documentation
for the preparation of Domy života [Houses
of Life], a film directed by M. Šandová (V. Hamáčková)
- Czech Television programme
Pěna dní [Foam of the Days]: collaboration in the filming
of reminiscences
- Hell on earth,
a documentary film by Vojtěch Jasný – consultation and selection/preparation
for filming of photo material
- Japanese Television – filming of reminiscences
and of archive documents from the Gideon Klein papers
- Canadian film about House I L 417 – preparation
of study materials (copies of archive documents from the Terezín
collection)
- Preparation of photocopies for the Terezín
Initiative for a book about Terezín inmate Fred Hirsch
III. Publications and editing
- The Holocaust and Today – a
chapter included in information material for teachers Theme:
The Holocaust for teaching at primary and secondary schools
(L. Pavlát)
- Sborník
600 let Bečova [A Memorial
Volume on 600 years of Bečov nad Teplou], Bečov n. T. 2000,
Paper: The History and Sites of the Jewish Community in Bečov
nad Teplou, texts in Czech and German (J. Fiedler)
- IX.
Historický seminář Karla Nejdla. Sborník přednášek [The
9th History Workshop of Karel Nejdl. Lecture Proceedings], Karlovy
Vary, 2000. Paper: Židovské obce na Toužimsku [The Jewish Community in Toužim] (J. Fiedler)
- Karel
Kuča: Města a městečka
v Čechách, na Moravě a ve Slezsku [Cities and
Towns in Bohemia, Moravia and Silesia], part 4, Prague, 2000.
Section on Jewish communities. (J. Fiedler)
- Karel
Kuča: Brno. Vývoj města, předměstí a připojených vesnic, [Brno.
Development of the City, Suburb and Connected Villages], Prague
– Brno, 2000. Section on the Jewish Community. (J. Fiedler)
- A contribution on the burial society for a
collection of symposia in Pilsen (A. Pařík )
- A symposium contribution
on the history and reconstruction of the synagogue in Ledeč
(A. Pařík )
- The Foundation of the Terezín Initiative,
library: Terezínské denní rozkazy [Terezín Daily Orders]
(A. Hyndráková) (prepared)
- Terezínské studie a dokumenty
(Terezín papers and documents), paper: Přípravy ke zřízení
terezínského ghetta [Preparations for the Establishment
of the Terezín Ghetto] (A. Franková)
- Editorial preparation of the Judaica Bohemiae
journal, XXXVI/2000 (A. Putík )
IV. Study visits
- Visit
to the site of former Nazi extermination camps and ghettos in
Eastern Poland (Treblinka, Sobibor, Belzec, Majdanek , Warsaw,
Zamość, Vlodava, Izbica, Piaski) in collaboration with
the Terezín Memorial. Preparation of information texts – March
2000 (A. Franková, J. Vomáčková,
J. Šplíchalová)
- Commemorative meeting to mark the 55th anniversary
of the ending of the Second World War in Europe, held in the Mauthausen
Memorial – May 2000 (J. Šplíchalová)
- Visit to a new exhibition in the Buchenwald
Memorial – September 2000 (J. Šplíchalová)
- Visit to the Auschwitz Museum – October 2000
(J. Šmejkalová, J. Šplíchalová)
- Study of archive material concerning the confiscation
of Jewish property in the Bundesarchiv, Berlin in collaboration
with the Institute of the Terezín Initiative – December 2000
(J. Šplíchalová)
c) Collection Department
I. Participation in conferences, symposiums,
discussions and lectures
- Synagogue Architecture, a series
of lectures for the ECC (A. Pařík )
- Strategies of Survival, a symposium
on culture in the Terezín Ghetto; Moravian College, Bethlehem,
Pennsylvania, USA; 9–11 February 2000; contribution on the life
and work of Friedl Dicker-Brandeis (M. Hájková)
- Vilnius International Forum on Holocaust Era
Looted Cultural Assets; Vilnius, 3–5 October 2000. Contributions:
The Confiscation of Art Property on the Territory of Today’s
Czech Republic (M. Hájková) and The Origin
of the Jewish Museum in Prague’s Library Holdings (A. Braunová
– L. Pavlát)
- The Confiscation of Jewish Property in Bohemia
and Moravia 1939-1945; ECC, 13–15 November 2000. Contribution:
Theft as an Institution. The Distribution of Confiscated Art
Objects in the Protectorate (M. Hájková)
- An Introduction to Jewish life and institutions
(lectures for history of art students at the Charles University)
(J. Kuntoš, M. Hájková)
- Lecture and depository viewing for students
of the Metal and Jewellery Studio at the Academy of Arts, Architecture
and Design, Prague (J. Kuntoš)
- The Specific Technical and Material
Qualities of the JMP Textile Collection, I and II.
Lecture for students of the Studio of Free Textile Work at the
Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design, Prague (D. Veselská)
- A seminar for specialists in restoration,
conservation and preserving; Písek , September 2000 (P. Veselý,
V. Nauschová)
II. Media collaboration, publicity and reviewing
- An article on the painter Viktor Munk for
Revolver Revue (A. Pařík
)
- Friedl Dicker-Brandeis. Lady in
a Car, a contribution to a collection of articles for the
Strategies of Survival Symposium, Herodias Press, New York
(M. Hájková)
- Entries for the exhibition catalogue The
Glory of Baroque Bohemia (M. Hájková, D. Veselská,
J. Kuntoš)
- Nálezy textilií
z genizot českých a moravských synagog [Textile
Finds in the Genizot of Bohemian and Moravian Synagogues], an
article in Český lid [Czech
folk ] 4/2000 (D. Veselská)
d) Publicity Department
I. Media collaboration
- Shooting by Israeli Television (dir. A. Kushnier)
in JMP exhibitions and depositories for a film about Jewish Prague
(L. Pavlát)
- Shooting by US film company Picture Start
Films, inc. (dir. Elliot Caplan) in the Spanish Synagogue
for the film Hidden Things (A portrait of Holocaust children
and the objects they carried)
- Shooting of a documentary picture about the
Holocaust (dir. Vojtěch Jasný) for the Shoah Foundation
- Shooting by Czech Television in the Spanish
Synagogue – a programme about angels in the Jewish tradition (L. Pavlát)
- Shooting by Czech Television in the former
Jewish Quarter of Prague – a programme about historic sites (L. Pavlát)
- Shooting by Czech Television of a concert,
featuring violinist V. Hudeček
and young artists Nokturno.
- Recording by Czech Radio Vltava of a Crossover
Guitar concert in the Spanish Synagogue
- Regular collaboration with various Czech radio
stations (L. Pavlát, J. Smékalová, A. Pařík )
8. Cultural activities
a) Cultural events at the JMP’s
Cultural and Educational Centre (ECC) of the JMP
The ECC prepared and organized
a total of 128 cultural programmes and events. Over a half (65)
comprised lectures, both as part of a series and on separate topics.
Series included a continuation of established lectures on Biblical
Personages, Synagogue Architecture, Rabbinic Personages
and Czech Jewish Authors in 20th Century Literature. New
lecture series included The Shadow of the Shoah over Europe
and German and Austrian Jewish Writers of the 20th Century.
The ECC also hosted 13 film shows, 13 concerts, 5 theatre performances,
3 presentations of books with Jewish subject matter, 3 presentations
of a symposium of lectures published by the ECC, 2 thematic evenings
with film screenings, 3 exhibition openings and 6 evenings organized
by Beit Prague (an open Jewish society).
The ECC prepared an exhibition
documenting its activities for the Stockholm International Forum
on the Holocaust, which took place in Stockholm on 26–28 January.
In February the ECC organized
a commemorative evening to mark the 10th anniversary of the reintroduction
of diplomatic relations between Czechoslovakia and the State of
Israel. In March the ECC was involved in preparations for the annual
meeting of the Association of European Jewish Museums, which took
place at the Centre on 26-28 March with the participation of 40
representatives from the whole of Europe.
An international conference on
the Confiscation of Jewish Property in Bohemia and Moravia
was held at the ECC on 13-15 November. This was organized by
the JMP in collaboration with the Institute of the Terezín Initiative.
b) JMP participation in trade
fairs
- Participation in the 6th International Book
Fair Book World 2000 in Prague, 11-14 May 2000. Joint display
stand with the Terezín Initiative
- Participation
in the 5th Czech Museum Fair in Třebíč, 24-26 May 2000. Separate
display stand
- Participation in the International Book
Fair in Frankfurt am Main, 18-23 October 2000. The JMP was
jointly featured at the Czech display stand.
c) Music in the Spanish Synagogue
The season for classical music
concerts in the Spanish Synagogue was launched in April. This featured
the Ritornello and Kvinterna ensembles which specialize in interpretations
of early music with period instruments. From June there were regular
Thursday concerts of songs (Jewels of the Jewish Masters in Old
Prague) and concerts of chamber music (Music Heritage of
the Jewish Culture).
September saw the launch of the
Top Artists’ Series, a series of concerts for season-ticket holders.
This featured top Czech performers such as the guitarist Lubomír
Brabec, the soprano Gabriela Beňačková and the violinist Pavel Šporcl.
The series The Jewish Phenomenon
– A Journey Across Europe added great variety to the music season
in the Spanish Synagogue. Each programme in this series featured
Jewish music and literature from a different European country. The
programme was supported by Prague City Hall and the Jewish Community
Foundation.
Two prestigious festival concerts
were held in the Spanish Synagogue. First there was a performance
by the world renowned US cantor Joseph Malovany as part of the 55th
Prague Spring International Music Festival. Then there was a performance
by the US cantor, Ira S. Bigeleisen, as part of the 9th Musica Iudaica
International Music Festival.
In November the Spanish Synagogue
hosted five concerts held as part of the 1st Nine Gates Festival
of Jewish Culture. These featured, among others, John Holloway,
Barbara Marie Willi, The Alma Rosé Chamber Orchestra, and The Oslo
Baroque Soloists Choir.
9. Publications and retail
activities
a) JMP publications and souvenirs
- CD Rom Dějiny
Židů v Čechách a na Moravě [The History of the
Jews in Bohemia Moravia] (2,000 copies)
- Židovští
autoři v literaturách
evropských zemí [Jewish Authors in European Literature] (500
copies)
- Hilsnerova
aféra a česká společnost 1899 – 1999
[The Hilsner Affair and Czech Society 1899 – 1999] (1,500
copies)
- Českožidovští
spisovatelé v literatuře
20. století [Czech Jewish Writers in 20th Century Literature]
(500 copies)
- Judaica Bohemiae XXXV,
Journal of Jewish studies (500 copies)
- I haven’t seen a butterfly around
here, English reprint (5,000 copies)
- I haven’t seen a butterfly around
here, Spanish reprint (2,000 copies)
- Arno Pařík
, Dana Cabanová, Petr Kliment: Prague Synagogues
– trilingual version (Czech, English and German) (5,000 copies)
- Arno Pařík
, Dana Cabanová, Petr Kliment: Prague Synagogues,
trilingual version (French, Italian, Spanish) (5,000 copies)
- Bedřich
Fritta, Ivan Klíma – This is Not a Fairy Tale – It’s
Real!, English edition (1,000 copies)
- The Story of the Jewish Museum, leaflet (5,000
copies)
- 4 issues of The JMP Newsletter, Czech-English
(2,000 copies of each issue)
- Leaflet for the exhibition Beit Levitus
– Memories of a Family House, Chava Pressburger, Czech-English
(2,000 copies)
- Acquisition leaflet for the catalogue Synagogue
Textiles from the Collections of the JMP (5,000 copies)
- New Year greeting cards (800 pcs.)
- A reproduction of Sefer Tashlih in
a wooden frame (100 pcs.)
- A set of 14 kinds of postcards featuring JMP
collections and sites (80,000 pcs.)
- JMP information leaflets in French (100,000
copies), Italian (100,000 copies), Spanish (100,000 copies) and
Hebrew (70,000 copies)
- A2 size poster of the Spanish Synagogue (1,000
pcs.)
- Mounted copies of children’s drawings from
Terezín (299 pcs.)
- Postcards – reprints , 4 kinds (20,000 pcs.)
- Boxes of writing paper, 2 kinds (400 pcs.)
- Book markers with motifs of JMP collection
items, 8 kinds (8,000 pcs.)
- Note pads with motifs of covers from JMP collections,
4 kinds (2,000 pcs.)
- Bound collection of postcards featuring historic
sites of the JMP (3,000 pcs.)
- Jigsaw puzzles with pictures of historic JMP
sites, 4 kinds (4,000 pcs.)
- Wooden pencils with the JMP logo and Torah
pointer motifs, 3 kinds (1,152 pcs.)
- JMP logo stickers (5,000 pcs.)
- Replicas of collection items: Sabbath and
Kiddush cups, 3 kinds (150 pcs.)
- Replicas of collection items: Pesach covers,
2 kinds (20 pcs.)
- Havdalah candlesticks, 2 kinds (200 pcs.)
- Kippot for visitors with the JMP logo (250,000
pcs.)
b) Contributions to other publications
and the media
Numerous contributions on JMP
activities and events were featured in the daily press, the Shalom
Aleikhem radio programme, and Rosh Hodesh, the monthly
paper of the Federation of Jewish Communities (L. Pavlát,
J. Smékalová, A. Pařík )
c) Shops on JMP premises
The JMP let retail outlets in
the Maisel synagogue (Museum Stores), Klausen Synagogue (Roman
Tympl), Spanish Synagogue (Relax Group) and at Maisel
Street 15 (Precious Legacy Tours). These outlets offer a
wide range of publications and souvenirs connected with Jewish themes
in general, but with particular focus on the JMP.
d) Sale over the Internet
All JMP publications were made
available to order on its website.
10. Archives and documentation
a) Archives and documentation of Jewish
Communities
- Ongoing documentation of acquisitions and
assessment of purchase offers
- Research services – 133 research visits, 31
literature searches and replies to written queries, and approximately
160 consultations.
- Copying of archive material for research and
publication purposes
- Continual review and computer processing of
the sheet music collection
- Restoration of selected material worth k 200,000
- Review of archive books in the collection
of the Jewish Community of Prague
- Research into the collection of Judaica in
the state archives
- Presentation of registers to the State Central
Archive (23 volumes)
- Preparation of negatives from J. Fiedler’s
photo archive and a description of enlarged images for the documentation
of Jewish communities
b) Catalogue of Jewish Communities
(computer database)
- Continual updating of the database on the
basis of J. Fiedler’s personal card index; editing of encyclopaedic
entries on individual communities. There were 60 research visits
and approximately 200 consultations (including contact by mail
and by telephone).
c) History of the Holocaust
I. Documentation on the persecution
of the Jews
Archive documents:
- The Terezín Archive Collection: arrangement
and stock -taking, including appropriate inventory adjustments
– 90 inventory numbers (37 boxes of documents)
- The Documents of Persecution Archive
Collection: completion of inventory adjustments
- Personal papers and collection:
- Gideon Klein – translation corrections,
additions and adjustments
- Bruno Zwicker – arrangement and stock
-taking
- Erik Kolár – arrangement and stock -taking
- Flusser-Selmbacher family – arrangement
and stock -taking
- Erich Springer – arrangement and stock
-taking
- Wulkow Concentration Camp – arrangement
and stock -taking
- Arrangement, stock -taking and recording of
acquisitions. The most important and wide-ranging acquisitions
included personal papers (of B. Zwicker, the Flusser-Selmbacher
family and Prof. Eliška Kleinová), archive material, documents
and photographs concerning transports of Jewish children from
the Nazi Protectorate to Sweden, and the diary of A. Steinerová.
- Negotiations concerning the acquisition
of valuable archive documents:
- the Egon
Ledeč papers – receipt, basic arrangement, preparation of
laser copies, conclusion of a deed of gift
- original of the Terezín magazine Bonaco
– negotiations concerning the method of transfer in the USA
- The Reminiscences of Survivors
project:
- compilation, documentation and transcription
of 60 new reminiscences
- continual storing of data on a computer
programme
- The Bergen-Belsen – Reminiscences project:
negotiations and agreement concerning the transfer of reminiscences
and photographs, commencement of preparatory work
Photography Collection:
- Acquisitions – documentation, recording and
classification of approximately 200 new photographs
- Ongoing review and supplementation of individual
items with the appropriate amount of positives
- Cataloguing of section IV Personalities
- Identification of some of the earlier photographs
that have yet to be specified
Archive documents and photographs:
Prints:
- Acquisition of missing issues of the periodical
Židovské listy [Jewish
Newspaper]
- Replication of rare archive documents:
- laser copies
(Gideon Klein papers – completion, Egon Ledeč papers, Terezín
scores and preparation for exhibition purposes)
- Preparation of scores of the composer Gideon
Klein for scanning; project planning
Restoration:
- Ongoing restoration of the periodical Židovské
listy (289 folios)
- Drawing up of a list of material from the
collections of the JMP’s Holocaust Department that have been for
restoration and conservation
Research services:
Literature searches:
- Children’s magazines in Terezín, Terezín
performing artists/musicians, the figure of Leo Baeck in Terezín,
Nazi labour camps for Jews in the border area of Northern Bohemia,
art lessons in Terezín, Terezín mica works, Czech Jewish
women in affiliated camps in Hamburg, the fate of the Auschwitz
Album, history of the Memorial in the Pinkas Synagogue
Consultation:
- Staff at the embassies of New Zealand and
Israel, The National Museum, The Education Faculty of Ústí nad
Labem – Dept. of Germanic Studies, The University of Dortmund,
The Terezín Initiative, students and young historians, journalists,
The Swiss Fund.
Routine correspondence:
- approx. 340 letters were dealt with
Issuing of copyright:
Memorial to the Victims of
the Nazi Genocide of Bohemian and Moravian Jews in the Pinkas
Synagogue:
- Photographing of inscriptions, collation of
data, carrying out of repairs
II. Computer database of Holocaust
victims from the territory of the former Protectorate of Bohemia
and Moravia
- Correction and supplementation on the
basis of newly acquired information
- Ongoing preparation of computer lists of data
concerning victims (individuals and groups) – 45 for the use of
institutions, 90 for individuals)
- Specification of the destinations of transports
to the east – complete storage of data concerning Jewish victims
from Holland who passed through the Terezín Ghetto
11. Collections
a) Collection Department
I. Art Collection
- Work started on supplementing missing catalogue
cards for the art collection from the 1980s to the present
- 62 paintings, drawings and graphic works were
received from the depositories of the National Gallery in
Prague. These works were catalogued and digitized (for CD-ROM).
- Work started on research into the origin of
all the items in the art collection. Extracts of all relevant
data were taken from the catalogue cards of the Central Jewish
Museum from the years 1942 – 1945. In addition, a list
of the transport numbers which are on the above cards was drawn
up, to which were attached individual works. It remains to trace
the original owners of these works on the basis of the list of
transport numbers and then to create a list of these owners with
an inventory of objects in their possession. It will take several
years to trace these people as it will be necessary to compare
data from several existing databases and card-indexes. The list
will be available on the JMP website and the database of the Czech
Ministry of Culture.
- Acquisitions:
- Purchases: a
set of six wood-cuts depicting genre scenes from the Jewish
Town of Prague, based on works by famous artists (such as F. Chalupa,
A. Loewy, F. Kořenský and F. Ženíšek ), Portrait
of Alice Wienerová – a drawing by Malvina Schalková, The
Old Jewish Cemetery in Prague
– a drawing by Bedřich Hawranek , From the Jewish Town
– a drawing by Hugo Steiner-Prag, View of Melantrich Street
– a painting by Alois Wierer, three paintings by Adolf Kohn (The
Three-Well Plaza), Zigeunerstrasse, Pinkas Lane)
and A View of Jerusalem – a painting by Bedřich Feigl.
- Donations: Portrait of a Man in Glasses
by Moritz Müller; Living Quarters Interior, Terezín by
Moritz Nagl; a set of 8 drawings by Zuzana Picková–Justman; 2
portraits left by Anna Langerová (Portrait of Milada Abelesová
and Portrait of Louisa Abelesová); 3 paintings by
Ludwig Blum left by deceased residents of the Charles Jordan Home
(which is managed by the Jewish Community of Prague); and
34 paintings by Vavro Oravec, which the painter himself donated
to the JMP.
- Restoration of the art collection: a set of
42 portraits from the 19th and 20th centuries.
II. Textile collection
- Completion of a project to scan photographs
of Torah mantles – 4,054 in total, the images featured on 62 CD-ROMs.
Each photograph was digitized in first proof and high print quality.
- Two grants from the Czech Ministry of Culture
were granted for the restoration of Zappert’s curtains and a set
of textiles for the High Synagogue.
- Launch of a long-term project concerning the
transcription and translation of donation inscriptions on collection
textiles. About 700 inscriptions were transcribed and translated.
- Continued cataloguing of collection textiles.
300 items were catalogued.
- JMP staff visited the Fondatione Antonio Ratti
in Como, Italy where they collated and determined certain textiles
in the JMP’s collections. In addition, comparative photo documentation
was acquired.
- Ongoing storage of data in the Collection
Department’s database (small textiles, mantles, valances).
- Material was prepared for 7 research queries.
III. Textile restoration
workshop
- 102 items from the textile collection were
repaired and treated.
- 68 items from the textile collection were
selected for external restoration.
- The conservation of the 29 items from genizot
was completed.
IV. Metal collection
- The processing of the collection of Torah
pointers continued. Out of a total of 1,183 pointers, 450 are
now catalogued, the producers of which have been ascertained.
- Work continued on drawing up a list of makers
of works in precious metal with focus on the finest pieces.
- The basic classification of the shield collection
on the basis of producer or place of production was completed
in collaboration with the depository staff.
- Information concerning collection objects
was continually stored in the JMP database.
V. Metal restoration workshop
- 81 silver and brass objects were conserved
and restored by workshop staff
- 4 large brass and iron objects were restored
by external restoration specialists
- 129 wooden objects were selected for external
conservation
- 1 pair of Torah finials were restored by external
restoration specialists
VI. Documentation of the
Collection Department
- 125 loan agreements were prepared, of which
32 were for exhibition purposes (8 for foreign institutions, 24
for Czech institutions, including Jewish communities). 227 collection
items were loaned to institutions abroad, 398 to institutions
in the Czech Republic.
- 93 loan agreements and 89 work agreements
with external restoration specialists were prepared. In addition
to restoration, these involved the reproduction of collection
objects and the framing of pictures etc.
- 10 purchase agreements were prepared for the
purchase of art works from individuals.
- 84 items (94 collection objects) were entered
in the Acquisition Book – 30 purchases, 28 donations (including
10 bequests) and 36 objects returned from Jewish communities in
Prague, Liberec and Ostrava and discovered in JMP depositories
in the course of stock -taking.
- The collections were enriched by 28 donations.
The generous donors were:
- Přemysl Řepa
- Zuzana Picková-Justmanová
- Giti Neuman
- Růžena Biehalová
- Mgr. Jozef Wagner
- Anna Ludmila Langerová
- Mrs. Einseinsteinová
- Mr. Blecha
- Gallery Ztichlá klika, Prague
- Revision of the main arithmetic catalogue
continued – linked to the Museum’s computer database and checks
on special catalogues.
- The war-time German Catalogue was scanned.
This catalogue contains information concerning all objects that
were sent to the Museum (then the Central Jewish Museum) during
the war years (August 1942 – February 1945). These include
objects in the care of the Collection Department, as well as books
and sheet music. Relevant information is recorded on A5-size cards
and bound in volumes comprising 500 inventory numbers. There are
203 volumes of the war-time German Catalogue. The cataloguing
of objects continued in the established way after the war; there
are therefore a total of 264 catalogue volumes (the last volume
contains catalogue cards from 1977). Because the quality of information
and data concerning objects on cards after volume 203 fluctuates,
however, only 203 volumes of the war-time German Catalogue were
earmarked for the first stage of scanning. Individual catalogue
volumes were unbound, and catalogue cards were restored, scanned
in the JMP photography department and then rebound in sets of
500 inventory numbers. The scans of catalogue cards will be attached
to relevant inventory numbers within the framework of the project
for the development of the JMP database, which means that all
information on a particular item will be gathered together. The
entire project is of great importance for the registration and
gathering of information on collection items and for the use of
information technology. In view of the size of the catalogue,
the project will require several years for completion.
- The content of the German Catalogue was transcribed
onto lists which were examined to see if they corresponded with
the collection items in respect of their condition and amount.
The result will be to ascertain the condition of the collection
and the second degree cataloguing in individual sets of items.
In addition, this will be a way of checking the results of the
audit carried out a few years ago. Using the German Catalogue
as a basis, lists of collection items are currently being drawn
up in respect of specific localities in Bohemia and Moravia from
which they were sent to the war-time Central Jewish Museum
VII. Photo Archive
- A backup set of digital images was stored
on CD
- A computer program was created for the automatic
reading of data from CD-ROMs with digital images.
- Photo documentation of the collection of tallit
and tefillin bags was prepared and entered in the Photo Archive
database.
- New negatives, positives and slides of collection
items were prepared (approx. 1,400 negatives, 60 documentary cine-films
and 100 negatives from the Holocaust Department).
- Work continued on the transcription of the
Book of Negatives to the Photo Archive database (about 13,000
records have been processed to date).
- The Photo Archive was visited by 30 researchers.
Written queries and requests from about 120 researchers were dealt
with.
- 75 permits to use JMP pictorial material for
print, publication, educational programmes and exhibitions were
issued.
VIII. Photo and scanning
facilities
Photo Studio:
- Collection items and objects for exhibitions
in the Czech Republic and abroad were photographed on an ongoing
basis. The following are among the most important:
- New exhibition in the Maisel Synagogue
(45 shots)
- K2000 exhibition, Brno (107
shots)
- Display case in the Klausen synagogue
– textiles (42 shots)
- Imperial War Museum in London exhibition (53
shots)
- New permanent exhibition in the Terezín
Memorial (30 shots)
- Regional
exhibition in Jevíčko (15 shots)
- Regional exhibition in Polná (13 shots)
- The Glory of Baroque Bohemia
exhibition (31 shots)
- For researchers of manuscripts and early prints
in Israel (40 shots)
- For the new exhibition in the Maisel
Synagogue (57 shots- archive material and plans)
- Documentation of restored textiles and paintings
(60 shots)
- Langweil’s model for the new exhibition in
the Maisel Synagogue (33 shots)
- Returned Paintings and Graphic Art
from the National Gallery in Prague – 60 paintings and
pieces of graphic art (120 shots)
- Exhibition of Vavro Oravec – 20 paintings
(40 shots). - JMP activities and major events were documented.
- Colour slides were prepared for publications
and specialist activities of the JMP, researchers, professionals
and the general public.
- Inscriptions in the Pinkas Synagogue were
documented on an ongoing basis.
- Building work in refurbished JMP properties
was documented on an ongoing basis.
- About 140 images of large format transparencies
were taken for the publication Prague Synagogues, of which
about 100 were used for print. 8 images were prepared for postcards
featuring the Spanish Synagogue, 4 of which were printed.
Digital Suite:
Archive material on loan from various institutions in the Czech
Republic for the new exhibition in the Maisel Synagogue were digitally
photographed and stored on CD-ROMs. Digital photographs were taken
of 409 images in the first half of the year, 981 in the second.
These were then prepared for the JMP database and for printing purposes.
Scanning suite:
Scanning of the war-time German Catalogue continued. Volumes up
to No. 36 (i.e., inventory No. 18,000) have now been scanned. The
entries were processed and then stored on CD-ROMs. In total 83 CD
sources and 44 CDs of processed catalogue cards. 1,230 images were
scanned for documentation, research and publication for the
purposes of the JMP and other institutions. The most prominent units
include:
- Images for the JMP website
- Images for the JMP Newsletter
- 660 pages of musical material left by G. Klein
for the Holocaust Department
- Transparencies for the book Prague Synagogues
- Drawings for B. Fritta and I. Klíma’s book
This is not a fairy tale – it’s real!
- Collection of drawings and collages by R.
Guttmann before restoration
- Material for a new exhibition under preparation
in the Maisel Synagogue
- Photo documentation of all the permanent exhibitions
of the JMP (Maisel Synagogue, Pinkas Synagogue, Klausen Synagogue,
Spanish Synagogue and the Ceremonial Hall)
- 75 CD-ROMs for researchers and other institutions,
intended for the production of facsimiles and for print.
IX. Supervision of
repair and reconstruction work
- Consultation concerning the extension of the
enclosure of the Jewish cemetery in Fibichova Street (A. Pařík
)
- Collaboration
and consultation concerning the reconstruction of the synagogue
in Ledeč nad Sázavou (A. Pařík )
- Collaboration and consultation concerning
the reconstruction of the synagogue v Polná (A. Pařík
)
- Consultation concerning the restoration of
wall paintings in the synagogue in Kdyně (A. Pařík
)
- Consultation
concerning the reconstruction of a Jewish house in Spálené Poříčí
(A. Pařík )
- Consultation
concerning the reconstruction of buildings and the restoration
of wal paintings in Čáslav, Holešov, Luže, Březnice, Kolín, Úštěk
, Mikulov, Úsov, and Turnov (A. Pařík )
b) Department of Jewish
Studies and History of the Jews
I. Collection of manuscripts
and early prints
- Cataloguing of collections
- Conservation and restoration of endangered
manuscripts and rare prints (at a cost of k 181,000)
- Production of protective covers for books,
scrolls and papers
- Consultation concerning the development of
a new conservation and restoration suite
- Production of facsimile manuscripts and rare
prints for exhibitions in the Klausen a Maisel synagogues
(at a cost of k 191,000)
- Expert consultation with researchers
and preparation of literature searches
II. Collection
of written material from genizot
- Second examination in the genizah in Holešov
Synagogue
- External restoration of manuscripts and prints
found in genizot
- Completion of a catalogue of manuscripts and
prints found in genizot
12. Library
a) Figures
- Attendance:
registered researchers: 599
new researchers: 74
- Book loans
total: 865
short-term (to JMP staff): 471
- When assessing the above figures it is necessary
to take into consideration the fact that since the spring of 1999
most of the library collection has been stored in rented space
in the Central Depository of the
National Library in Prague-Hostivař. The transfer of 75% of the
collection available to researchers meant that the public loan
period had to be restricted.
- Acquisitions:
books: 1,850 (approx. 480 of which for the Cultural and Educational
Centre)
periodicals: 15
CD-ROMs: 1
- The Library received an exceptionally large
donation from Olms Publishers (Germany)
- Photocopies: for research purposes
b) Routine agenda
- Acquisition of new books
- Addition of earlier publications to the collection
- Acquisition of dissertations and diploma work
on Jewish topics
- Filing and cataloguing of books, periodicals
and special documents
- Analytic processing of selected periodicals
- Consultation and reference services
- Xerox services
- Loan services (including reservations)
- Inter-library loan service
- International inter-library loan service
- Discarding of books
- Purchase, filing and preparation of publications
for the Education and Culture Centre of the JMP
- Purchase, filing and preparation of publications
for the prepared Reference Centre of the JMP
c) Participation in events
- Training
- Aleph System Serial module (Czech
National Library, Prague)
- Correspondence Course (Institute
of Information and Library Studies, Prague
- Methodology of work concerning Czech
and international inter-library loan services (Czech National
Library, Prague)
- Seminars
- Seminar for Museum Library Staff
(Museum of Western Bohemia, Pilsen)
- Libraries of Europe, Europe for Libraries.
Experience in the operation of new library services and
the transformation of the role of the library in modern society.
(State Science Library, Liberec)
- Information Sources for the Humanities
and Social Sciences. (Library ETF Uk , Prague)
- Seminar on Questions of Automation
in Libraries. (Arts Faculty, Charles University, Prague)
- Archives, Libraries and Museums in
the Digital World. (Czech Association of Librarians and
Information Studies Staff, Prague)
- Conferences
- Historic Book Holdings and Rare Collections,
16th-19th Centuries (Komenský Museum, Přerov)
- Issues concerning Historic and Rare
Collections in Bohemia, Moravia and Silesia (State Science
Library, Olomouc)
- The Confiscation Jewish Property
(The Education and Culture Centre of the JMP, Prague)
- Trade fairs
- World of Book 2000, Prague
d) Specialist visits and consultation
in the JMP Library
I. Czech Republic
- Ztichlá Klika antiquarian bookshop
and gallery, Prague
- National library,
Central Depository, Prague-Hostivař
- The National Library, Automation Unit
- The Prague City Library
- The Higher Technical School of Information
Services
- The Higher Technical School of Graphic Art,
Secondary Industrial School
- Znamení čtyř
architectural practice
- Ing. J. Červenák
, Climatologist
- Ing. Z. Bláha – production of compact
shelves
II. Abroad
- J. Hlaváčová
– Pestalozzi Bibliothek , Zurich
- Dr. W. Olms – Olms Verlag, Hildesheim
e) Automation of library processes
About 9,500 records were processed
in the Aleph system as at 31 December 2000. Other activities included:
- storage of new acquisition records in
the catalogue
- commenced processing of publications from
the study reference library
- completion of amendments to converted
records
- work in the Acquisition Module
- trial service of the Serial Module
- consultation with the National Library
- Looking up bibliographic information in
catalogues of Czech and foreign libraries
- Looking up factual information for JMP
staff and library visitors
- E-mail correspondence
- Participation in specialist on-line
conferences
f) Digitization of the library holdings
In collaboration with the Czech National
Library, rare journals from the library holdings were scanned for
transmission onto CD-ROMs.
g) Work involving the library
holdings
- About 50,000 books were moved to the second
floor in the Central Depository of the National Library in Prague-Hostivař.
Although a temporary move, full security measures were taken and
the majority of books remained accessible for research purposes.
During the move, checks were made to ensure that call-numbers
were arranged in proper order and the historic holdings
were shelved according to size; a detailed list of call numbers
on shelves was also made.
- The reference library of the Holocaust Department
(approx. 3,000 publications) was reviewed, all books were prepared
for the Aleph system, the relevant card catalogue was reviewed,
and a review report was drawn up.
- The library of the Education and Culture Centre
of the JMP was inventoried and a review report was drawn up.
- The remainder of the card catalogue for the
Jc holdings (in the depository based outside Prague) was
arranged.
- Work commenced on combing the two post-war
card catalogues.
- A basic inspection was made of the content
of the holdings stored in the basement depository of the office
building; records were made of discarded publications.
- The stock -taking of journals/magazines was
completed and card indexes were prepared.
- 47 books (mostly from the historic holdings
of the library) underwent complete external restoration
- Books located in the study were repaired externally
- 344 covers were prepared for brochures from
the historic holdings
- Emergency repairs (cleaning of books and minor
restoration measures) were carried out on about 1,775 books in
the depositories; protective covers were made for selected copies
- About 50,000 books located in the Central
Depository of the National Library in Prague-Hostivař were cleaned mechanically; damaged
documents were placed in covers. About 18,000 books located in
the head office depository were then cleaned mechanically.
- Books located in the study were cleaned mechanically.
- A micro-biological examination was carried
out in the head office depository
- New bindings were made for 28 books
13. Computer network
a) General hardware and software backup for PC
users
- 8 new computers, including Windows 98 operating
systems and 8 MS Office 97 user programmes were purchased. All
software and hardware is properly registered. Users are continually
trained in the use of new programmes.
- Specific databases (restoration cards, issue
slips) were prepared for certain departments.
b) Local network extension
- 45 of the 63 computers are now connected to
the network . In view of the planned move of the JMP, the network
was not further extended.
c) E- mail and the Internet
- Connection was changed from a commuted line
to a fixed line via modem.
- The JMP decided to change its service provider
– from Ecconet to Worldonline.
- Consultation was provided and a local network
was arranged in the JMP’s new office buildings.
d) Museum database archive system
- The Museum Database Archive System (MDAS)
was updated and streamlined throughout the year.
- A new server was bought for a new MDAS version
(SMART database) and the appropriate software was installed. The
Collection Department put the SMART database into trial operation.
e) Aleph library system
- A service agreement was concluded with the
SUN Microsystem company to provide hardware supervision of the
server with the Aleph library system.
f) Apple Macintosh computers
in the Photo Studio
- An agreement was concluded with Macwell to
provide Macintosh software and hardware supervision.
g) Computer anti-virus checks
- Anti-virus checks were continually updated.
14. Construction and technical
projects
a) Repairs and Refurbishment
I. The new office
building
Refurbishment of properties at
U staré školy 1 and 3 in Prague 1 involved completing the construction
of new offices, specialist departments, restoration workshops, depositories
(of books, children’s drawings, paintings, photographs and archives),
security office, gallery, new storage areas, restoration facilities
and units.
II. The Maisel Synagogue
To ensure dehumidification a
drainage repair project was drawn up and put to tender. Tunnel repairs
were completed and work proceeded in accordance with the project.
Completion will be in 2001.
III. The Jewish Cemetery
in Fibichova Street
A new 157m long wall and an entrance
building were built. A project for the maintenance of greenery was
prepared.
- A brief was prepared for renovation work in
the cemetery – assessment of the state of tombstones and a proposal
for the most urgent measures. Rescue and conservation work was
carried out on 85 tombstones and 2 crypts. Total cost – k 433,000. (technical supervision by V. Hamáčková)
IV. The Synagogue in Brandýs
nad Labem
Routine maintenance
V. The Ceremonial Hall
A proposal was prepared for a
protective screen in front of window panes.
VI. The Spanish Synagogue
Paving joints were repaired
and the marble flooring in front of the ark was cleaned.
VII. Maiselova 15, Prague
1
Building alterations to
the ECC study and the ground-floor JMP ticket office were completed.
VIII. The Klausen Synagogue
Maintenance was carried out and
the historic paving was cleaned.
IX. The Old Jewish Cemetery
Work involved maintenance of
pathways, cleaning of the eaves and drainpipes of all adjoining
buildings, maintenance of greenery and pruning of trees.
- 61 tombstones and 1 tomb were restored; 4
tombstones were experimentally cleared of thick organic deposits.
85 tombstones were treated as part of overall conservation efforts.
The above work cost k 623,700
(technical supervision by V. Hamáčková)
X. The Synagogue in Prague
- Smíchov
The JMP Board approved a concept study for the
refurbishment of the synagogue to be used as a future Jewish archive,
gallery and depository of graphic art and paintings. On the basis
of this study, which was selected out of three proposals, the Znamení čtyř architectural practice
was requested to prepare the project.
XI. Maintenance
Routine maintenance was carried
out in all JMP properties. This included wall repairs and painting.
b) Integrated security system
An integrated security system was completed in
accordance with a project by the Israeli company Gordon which
incorporates and interconnects all JMP properties. Specific security
features were refined, especially with the installation of more
cameras. In addition, features of the integrated security system
were installed in the JMP’s new office building at U staré školy,
Prague 1. In collaboration with Racom, Lenia and Sieza, preparations
were made for moving the central security office to the JMP’s new
head office
15. Prominent visits
January
- David Levy, the Israeli Minister of Foreign
Affairs
- The Israeli Ambassadors to Kazakhstan,
Tadzhikistan, Azerbaijan, Ukraine, Belarus, Turkmenistan and Albania,
and the Israeli Charge d’affaires in Georgia, Armenia, Lithuania,
Latvia and Estonia
- Fernando de Trazegnies Granda, the Peruvian
Minister of Foreign Affairs
March
- A delegation from the North American
Boards of Rabbis led by Rabbi Jay Rosenbaum
May
- Zoltán Rockenbauer, the Hungarian Minister
of the National and Cultural Heritage
- Charles and Lynn Schusterman from The
Schusterman Family Foundation
- Lennart Meri, the President of Estonia
June
- Dagmar Havlová, wife of the President of the
Czech Republic
July
- Li Yuanchao, the Vice-Minister of Culture
of the People’s Republic of China with a delegation
September
- Jicchak Navon, the President of the State
of Israel in 1978-1983
October
- King Albert III and Queen Paola of Belgium
16. Sponsors’ donations
a) From abroad
- The Ronald S.Lauder Foundation (USA)
- The Rich Foundation for Education, Culture
and Welfare (Israel)
- Memorial Foundation for Jewish Culture (USA)
- The Project Judaica Foundation (USA)
- EU – Project Raphael (Austria)
- Eva Scheinberg (Australia)
- Rita Spiegel, California (USA)
- Charles and Lynn Schusterman (USA)
b) From the Czech Republic
- The Czech Union of Jewish Youth
17. Donations provided
by the JMP
Certain funds were provided for
humanitarian purposes, events connected with Jewish themes and the
fight against racism and anti-Semitism:
- MAMA Foundation, Prague (prevention of breast
cancer)
- ZORA physical training association of visually
impaired sports persons, Prague
- Cesty poznání [Ways of Understanding]
association of the blind, Prague
- The Foundation of the Prague Jewish Community
- The Czech League of Freedom Fighters, Prague
1
- The Endangered Children Fond, Prague
- A donation towards the production of a plaque
with an explicatory text in English and Hebrew attached to a cross
on the Charles Bridge
- The United Organization of the Blind and the
Partially Sighted
Prague, 20 January 2001
Dr. Leo Pavlát
Director
Attachments: information
about economy JMP
| BALANCE
SHEET |
| (in
thousands of k ) |
| |
|
|
|
As of 31. Dec. 1999 |
As of 31. Dec. 2000 |
| PERMANENT ASSETS
|
84.305
|
255
668 |
| Intangible
fixed assets |
1.283 |
854 |
| Tangible fixed assets |
83.022 |
254 814 |
| Financial investments
|
0 |
0 |
| CURRENT ASSETS
|
104.565
|
106
973 |
| Inventories
|
4.351 |
4 392 |
| Receivables
|
18.696 |
9
419 |
| Financial assets
|
81.518 |
93 162 |
| OTHER ASSETS
|
931 |
415 |
| TOTAL ASSETS
|
189.801
|
363
056 |
| |
|
|
| OWN SOURCES
|
134.521
|
315
523 |
| Funds
|
88.065 |
279 179 |
| Economic
results in current accounting period |
46.456 |
36 344 |
| EXTERNAL RESOURCES
|
55.070
|
47
298 |
| Short-term commitments |
35.070 |
17 298 |
| Provisiones
|
20.000 |
30 000 |
| OTHER LIABILITIES |
210 |
235 |
| TOTAL ASSETS
|
189.801
|
363
056 |
PROFIT
AND LOSS STATEMENT |
(in
thousands of k ) |
| |
| |
As of 31. Dec. 1999 |
As of 31. Dec. 2000 |
| REVENUES |
200
321 |
163
209 |
| Sales of goods and services
|
4 995 |
6 508 |
| Sales of entrance fee |
117 554 |
147 619 |
| Subsidies |
0 |
0 |
| Recognition of provisions
|
56 355 |
0 |
| Other revenues |
21 417 |
9 482 |
| OPERATING COSTS |
131
132 |
112
543 |
| Expenditures on realized sales |
40 044 |
31 227 |
| Personnel costs |
29 042 |
32 182 |
| Depreciation |
11 768 |
11 807 |
| Other operating costs and
provisiones |
50 278 |
37 327 |
| INCOME TAX |
22 733 |
14 722 |
| ECONOMIC RESULT |
46 456 |
36 344 |
| Jewish
museum in Prague employee structure |
| |
In 2000, the
Jewish museum in Prague had an average of 87 employees
(part-time workers consolidated). |
| |
| Museum management |
4 |
| Employed experts |
52 |
| Building protection |
17 |
| Support and other activities |
14 |


Repairs and reconstructions
of buildings (in thousands of k ) |
| Building |
1995-1999 |
2000 |
| Spanish
synagogue |
32.693 |
374 |
| Administration
and Research Centre |
2.330 |
0 |
| Maisel
synagogue |
12.014 |
624 |
| Pinkas
synagogue |
4.014 |
223 |
| Ceremonial
hall |
1.812 |
0 |
| Klausen
synagogue |
5.492 |
151 |
| Depository
of textiles |
2.152 |
105 |
| New
Administration and Research Centre |
32.094 |
43.528 |
| Education
and Culture Centre |
354 |
0 |
| Jewish
cemetery - Fibichova Paha 3 |
0 |
4.407 |
| Old
Jewish cemetery |
4.437 |
810 |
| Total |
97.392 |
50.382 |
|