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The story of the Synagogue in Pisek - the Synagogue as the place of memory?

Publication at Central Library of Charles University |
2015

Abstract

The Synagogue in the South-Bohemian town of Pisek currently celebrates 140 years of its existence. In my article I pose a question whether or not this place was, is and in the future may possibly be a place of memory as defined by Pierre Nora.

The Synagogue was built in 1869-70 in the historical centre of Pisek, and it was a symbol of prosperity and social esteem of the local Jewish community. The Jewish minority significantly contributed to the shaping of the town's history: particularly in the second half of the 19th and in early 20th centuries this minority generated a number of significant and publicly active personalities.

In the post World War II period, the Synagogue witnessed a gradual forced disappearance of the Jewish community in Pisek. Finally, in 1950s, the Synagogue was insensitively turned into a warehouse of clothing.

As a result, the memory of this Jewish place of memory was disrupted for long decades. The 1995 hand-over of the Synagogue into the hands of the Jewish Community in Prague did not bring about an immediate rescue.

Even though in the following years at least elementary construction and technical preservation and repairs were carried out in the Synagogue, adequate funding was missing for its general reconstruction.