On April 30th, our class 3. A went on an excursion to the Jewish Quarter in Prague where, together with our guide, we followed the traces of Jewish history and culture. We visited several important places, such as the Old-New Synagogue, the Maisel Synagogue and the Spanish Synagogue. Each of these places helped us better understand the life of the Jewish community and we also learned more about Jewish traditions, customs, and symbols.
However, the place that affected us the most was the Pinkas Synagogue. The names of 80,000 Czech Jews who became victims of the Holocaust are written on its walls. Upstairs, there is an exhibition of drawings made by children from Terezín under the age of fifteen, capturing their dreams, fears, and memories of home. From this memorial, we mainly take away the reminder of how important it is not to forget these tragic events.
At the end of the tour, our guide showed us around the Jewish cemetery, pointing out various interesting details and historical facts. He said goodbye to us with a traditional prayer and with bittersweet feelings we set off along the Royal Route through the centre of Prague.
Alice Hynková, 3. A
