Jewish community in Ústí nad Labem

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Jewish community in Ústí nad Labem dates back to 1848. The greatest expansion achieved owing to presence of two significant families (Weinman and Petschek), who contributed to city development, at the end of 19th and at the beginning of 20th century. Two following dictatorships had devastating effect on the community. Part of Jewish population emigrated before World War II and part of the remain population left this area after annexation of Sudetenland. Religious intolerance continued even after the war and that is other reason why many of the members of this community emigrated afterwards. There were changes in religious freedoms after 1989. Contemporary Jewish community efforts to guarantee of quit retirement of its members. Members of the community meet regularly during worships, especially during Jewish festivals. Life in the community is declining, particularly because of absence of young generation. There were 50 members of the community in 2000 of which 17 lived in Ústí nad Labem. There were 38 recorded members of the community in half of 2005. Contemporary chairman is Bedřich Heller.

[edit] Bibliography

• Fedorovič, T., Kaiser, V. History if Jewish community in Ústí nad Labem. 2005, 123 s. English translation: Jaroslav Izavčuk. ISBN 80-86646-12-2