The Jews of Bohemia and Moravia

While much has been written about East European and German Jewry, the Jews of Bohemia and Moravia have received relatively little attention, despite their significant role in central Europe's industrial, economic, and cultural life. This work explores the social and cultural history of the Jewish community in Czechoslovakia from the Age of Enlightenment to the mid-twentieth century. Drawing from family histories, articles, wills, and letters, the author presents vivid descriptions of life, customs, and notable individuals, illustrating the transition of a culture from the Middle Ages to modernity. The text addresses the struggles for survival, complaints about religious community deterioration, and the history of anti-Semitism. It also examines legislation affecting Jews, industrialization, urbanization, changes in religious and familial structures, and cultural assimilation, alongside the impact of external political forces. Beginning with the expulsion of Jews from Prague in 1744, the narrative concludes in the mid-twentieth century, reflecting a continuous journey marked by cultural and economic developments, as well as profound anti-Semitism. The emotional ties of Bohemian and Moravian Jews to their homeland reveal a connection to Central and Western Europe, contrasting with perceptions of rootlessness, as expressed in various documents throughout the book.