Jewish Museum in Prague

Česky

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

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)

• 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)

• 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

• 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)

• 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

1. 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)

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)

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)

• attended by 230 persons from USA, UK, Israel and Sweden.

• attended by 118 persons.

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.

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.

• 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

• 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)

• 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)

• 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 CZK 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:

• 65 acquisitions

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:

• 57 research visits

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:

• 14 permits were granted

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 CZK181,000)
• 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 CZK 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

• Research visits: 700

• 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

• Aleph

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

• Internet

• 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

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 – CZK 433,000. (technical supervision by V. Hamáčková)

Routine maintenance

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.

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 CZK 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

• 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

• A delegation from the North American Boards of Rabbis led by Rabbi Jay Rosenbaum

• 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

• Dagmar Havlová, wife of the President of the Czech Republic

• Li Yuanchao, the Vice-Minister of Culture of the People’s Republic of China with a delegation

• Jicchak Navon, the President of the State of Israel in 1978-1983

• King Albert III and Queen Paola of Belgium

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