The Jewish Community in Prague

Annual Report 2015

Contents

I. A Word of Introduction by the Chairman

II. Basic Information about the JCP

Mission

Subsidised Groups

Lauder Schools

Members of the JCP Statutory Organs and Management

Synagogues Administered by JCP Visited By Tourists

III. Community News

IV. Cultural and Social Events, Celebration of Jewish Holidays,

Commemorative Acts

V. Report on the Activities of the Separate Departments of the JCP

1. The Rabbinate and the New Jewish Cemetery 2. Social and Health Care Departments

3. Library and Information Centre, Centre of Pre-Archival Care

4. Shalom Restaurant

5. Programme of the Lauder Kindergarten in Prague

6. Financial Department

7. Security Department

VI. Matana, a. s.

VII. JCP Website

VIII. Grants, Subsidies and Donations Granted to JCP in 2015

IX. JCP Financial Results in 2015

X. Auditor’s Report

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I. A Word of Introduction by the Chairman

A Look Back at Recent Years

At the end of this year, we once again look forward to elections to the Jewish

Community in Prague’s various bodies, and I would therefore like to take

advantage of my position to take a look back at this election period that is

coming to a close. I’d like to recall some of the things we struggled with, as well

as attempt to formulate the issues that I see now. The new Community

leadership and Representation will face these issues.

Significant changes took place in the life of the Community. After the

resignation of Rabbi Karol Efraim Sidon, Rabbi David Peter was appointed

Chief Rabbi of Prague. The Hagibor SCF also underwent a change in

management. Martin Roth took over from the original director, Elena

Jaroševská, in April 2015. Our high level of care for our clients has remained

steady, and we’ve improved our cooperation with Bejachad, which cares for the

youngest children.

The post of director of Ezra Home Care has also seen a change. Director Eva

Jelínková leads an extremely successful team, has secured a larger number of

grants, and together with an increased Claims Conference grant, continues to

expand and improve services for survivors. Based on the JCP social

department’s plans, the Becalel workshop was established, the successful

Balcony Café opened, more programmes for seniors are being offered, as well as

events and camps for children, and volunteer activities.

A great deal of our work over the past years has been in the area of monument

care. The Federation of Jewish Communities’ “Revitalisation of Jewish

Monuments - 10 Stars” project was brought to a close. As part of this project,

the synagogues in Brandýs nad Labem, Březnice, Jičín, and Nová Cerekev, all

owned by the JCP, were restored There is no doubt as to the success of this

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project. Its continuation was, however, marred by less-then-honest dealings of

one construction company. Nonetheless, activities in the area of monument care

achieved significant success. The Old Jewish Cemetery in Žižkov was taken into

our care, and thanks to Norway Grants and other sources, progress was made in

restoring the New Jewish Cemetery. The Jerusalem Synagogue has become a

popular destination for both tourists and locals. The original organ was returned

to a fully-working state, we held a successful series of organ concerts, and the

unique sound of our organ was captured and can be heard on the enclosed CD.

New permanent and temporary exhibitions are currently on display in the

synagogue, and popular guided tours are held.

Significant changes also took place in the area of security. Activities in this area

had to be reformulated in reaction to a worsening external security situation. The

post of head of JCP security was established, and was filled by Jakub Král. In

addition, the position of security analyst was created, and after long and difficult

negotiations, a Memorandum of Cooperation between Jewish organisations and

the Czech Republic was signed.

The difficult decision was made to sell a completely derelict building on

Krakovská Street. The Representation finally agreed to sell the building on the

condition that the funds would be deposited into the Large-Scale Reconstruction

Fund (LSRF). Part of this money has already been used to renovate existing

housing units that are administered by Matana, a.s. The remainder will go

towards funding reconstruction of an architecturally valuable building owned by

JCP at Dlouhá Street No. 37.

I could go on for quite a while, but there’s not enough room here to mention

everything. Nonetheless, I firmly believe that from this short preview it is clear

that there is nothing to be ashamed of. The Community is prospering, and will

certainly continue to do so.

PhDr. Jan Munk

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II. Basic Information About the JCP

Mission

The Jewish Community in Prague unites people from more than forty percent of

the territory of the Czech Republic who declare themselves to be Jewish either

by religion, nation, or origin and who do not belong to other churches or

religious societies of other Jewish communities in the Czech Republic, and have

been granted membership. It provides a religious and cultural life for its

members; through its social and medical care department, it provides support in

social and psycho-social areas to members of the Jewish Community and their

family members who find themselves in difficult life situations. It supports the

education of its members in Jewish traditions and contributes to comprehensive

education in Judaism and Jewish history, working especially with youths. It

actively condemns all expressions of anti-Semitism, racism, xenophobia,

Nazism, fascism, discrimination, and intolerance, and protects the memory of

Jewish victims.

As at 31 December 2015, a total of 1,534 regular members were registered (of

which 685 were men and 849 women), 191 special status holders (of which 89

were men and 102 women), and 11 guests (of which 6 men and 5 women).

The average age of members has stabilised over the past few years, if anything

showing a falling tendency at 51 years old for men (special status holders 47 and

guests 40), and 56 for women (special status holders 51 and guests 35).

In comparison with 2014, there was no significant change in the total number of

members and special status holders. The decrease in membership by 20 people

was compensated for by an increase in special status holders (an additional 17)

and guests (1). The decrease in recent years was caused by the fact that those

who have not participated in the Community for a longer period of time and

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have not paid their dues for more than four years have been stricken from the

membership list. We anticipate that the number of active members will

gradually increase in 2016.

In 2015, the Public Nonprofit Organisation to Support People Affected by the

Holocaust was established.

Members’ Meetings

The annual general meeting of the JCP was held on Sunday, 8 November 2015

in the main hall of the Jewish Town Hall. The agenda was standard, all materials

and the meeting itself were prepared in advance. It was attended by 147 regular

JCP members and 17 special status holders, so the assembly was quorate. Israeli

Ambassador Gary Koren addressed the meeting.

Subsidised Groups

In 2015, the JCP contributed to the activities of the following associations,

organisations, and groups:

Children’s Theatre,

Mišpacha,

Hidden Child,

Besamim,

The Terezín Initiative,

The Terezín Initiative Institute,

The Rafael Institute,

Bejachad,

Chinuch,

Moishe House.

JCP Lauder Schools

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In 2015, JCP continued to subsidise the activities of the Lauder Schools

considerably (34% of the school budget). The Lauder Schools are a unique

educational project intended for children, pupils, and students who wish to be

educated in the spirit of Judaism. The primary school was founded in 1997, a

four-year grammar school has been operating since 1999, and an eight-year

grammar school as well as a kindergarten have been in existence since 2009.

Tuition at all levels of education proceeds according to the school’s own

educational programme, L’Chaim, based on framework educational programmes

for pre-school, primary and grammar-school level education, enriched with a

Jewish element – Jewish Religion and Culture and Hebrew. At the end of 2015,

277 pupils were studying at all three levels of the Lauder Schools.

Members of the JCP Statutory Organs and Management

The following persons were active in the supreme bodies of the JCP in 2015:

Chairman – statutory representative of the Community

PhDr. Jan Munk

Management – perform the role of general executive

Jan Munk, chairman

Eva Lorencová, first vice-chairwoman

František Bányai, second vice-chairman

David Peter, Chief Rabbi of Prague

Jiří Pacovský

Tomáš Pasternak

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Barbora Rappaport

Michal Borges, secretary

The management met at ten ordinary meetings during 2015.

Representation – is elected once every four years, after the general meeting of

members it is the highest Community body and performs the role of Community

parliament. The meetings are open to Community members.

In 2015, the Representation comprised the following members:

František Bányai

Marek Bouda

Jozef Braun

Jiří Daníček

Ivana Hrubá

Ivana Jurečková

Pavol Kolan

Eva Kosáková

Pavel Král

Tomáš Kraus

Petr Kučera

Eva Lorencová

Marta Malá

Jan Munk

Vida Neuwirthová

Jiří Pacovský

Tomáš Pasternak

Leo Pavlát

Zuzana Peterová

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Barbora Rappaport

Jan Roubínek

Tomáš Schäfer

Michaela Vidláková

Sylvie Wittmannová

Ex oficio members:

Michal Borges, secretary

David Peter, Chief Rabbi of Prague

Review Committee

In 2015, the JCP Review Committee comprised the following members:

Jaroslav Němec, chairman

Michal Dostál

Otto Herman

Petr Horák

Petra Jurečková

Tomáš Taussig

Nine regular Representation meetings were held with the attendance of members

of the Review Committee in 2015.

Synagogues and Other Tourist Centres Administered by JCP and Visited

by Tourists

The Old-New Synagogue

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The Old-New Synagogue is today the oldest monument to Prague’s Jewish

Town and the oldest surviving functioning synagogue in Central Europe. It was

declared a National Cultural Monument in 1995. Regular services and other

religious ceremonies are held here. The continuing trend of slight growth in visitor

numbers continued in 2015, with a total of 215,629 paying visitors coming to see the

synagogue.

Jerusalem Synagogue

In 2015 as every year, the Jerusalem Synagogue was open to the public only

during the summer months (April to October) and concerts for the public were

held here. The synagogue’s visitor numbers rose 17% in 2015 compared to the

previous year, with a total of 22,366 paying visitors. Tours with a commentary

were given one Sunday per month and attracted a good deal of interest, and also

every first Wednesday in the month evening tours with commentary were given,

accompanied by an unusual musical bonus in the shape of an organ intermezzo

performed by organist Václav Peter.

2015 saw the third year of a series of organ concerts where a plethora of Czech

organists performed: Přemysl Kšica, Jitka Chaloupková, Josef Rafaja, Václav

Uhlíř, Vladimír Roubal, and Václav Peter. The concert series took place with the

financial support of the Ministry of Culture of the CR. The concerts began each

time at 6 p.m. and the programme lasted no longer than 70 minutes. As against

the first year, audience numbers rose, with on average up to 160 attending. The

project was purely for edification, with no entrance fee.

Temporary exhibitions were primarily of photographs - David Kummerman

presented his works from Israel from 12 April to 21 June; Jaroslav Fišer showed

photographs of Jewish monuments and his own work from 25 June to 11

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September; and Vladimír Železný introduced visitors to the world of Hasidic

Jews from 18 September to 31 October.

Restoration work also continued - light fixtures were exchanged for energy

saving models, replicas of the original chandeliers were installed on the ground

floor, and repairs to the courtyard stairs on the left-hand side commenced.

Old Jewish Cemetery in Žižkov

The Old Jewish Cemetery in Žižkov, officially named the First Jewish Cemetery

in Olšany, was established in 1680 as a plague burial ground for the Jewish

community of Prague. Since 1 January 2014, the JCP has administered the

preserved part of the cemetery, which until 1999 had been administered by the

Jewish Museum in Prague, which was able to open it to the public in September

2001 once essential construction and basic restoration work had been completed.

Despite severe devastation suffered in the second half of the 20th century, the

graveyard is a significant artistic and historical monument. Prominent Jewish

figures and representatives of the Jewish community in Prague are buried here -

Rabbis Ezechiel Landau, Eleazar Fleckeles, and the families of the first

industrialists – the Jonases, the Jeiteleses, the Pribrams, and the Dormitzers.

During the 2015 season, 8,076 people visited the Old Jewish Cemetery in

Žižkov.

The graveyard is open every day except Saturdays and Jewish holidays from

Sunday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (from November to March from 9

a.m. to 4 p.m.), and on Fridays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Entrance to the cemetery

is free of charge.

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Historical Mikveh

This unique ritual bathing complex dating to the turn of the 15th and 16th

centuries was discovered during an archaeological survey connected with damp

proofing works for the synagogue in 1968. This area has been open to the public

since 2014. The electrical system in the historical mikveh was modernised in

2015, and new lighting was installed.

During the 2015 season, the mikveh was open on a provisional basis, in which

tickets could be purchased on the spot. Over the course of the entire 2015

season, 1,768 people visited the historical mikveh’s underground complex. The

proceeds of the entrance fee were used towards the operation of a modern

mikveh housed in the same building.

Concerts and Cultural Events at the Jerusalem Synagogue

2015 saw the third year of an organ concert series where a plethora of Czech

organists performed: Přemysl Kšica (27 May), Jitka Chaloupková (24 June),

Josef Rafaja (29 July), Václav Uhlíř (12 August), Vladimír Roubal (9

September), and Václav Peter (7 October).

From 12 April to 21 June 2016, an exhibition of photographs by David

Kummermann entitled “Israel” was on display.

From 26 June to 11 September, Jaroslav Fišer exhibited his photographs of

“Jewish Monuments and Free Creation”.

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From 18 September to 31 October 2015, a photographic exhibition by Vladimír

Železný, entitled “The World That Should Have Disappeared”, was on display

from 18 September to 31 October 2015.

6 December 2015 - Festival of Lights at the Jerusalem Synagogue. Participants:

Milan Heina and Václav Peter – organ. Actor Josef Somr was a special guest.

Children from the Feigel Theatre sang Chanukah songs, led by Vida

Neuwirthová, and Prague Rabbi David Peter offered the blessing and lit the

Chanukah candle.

III. Community News

Publication of the free internal news bulletin intended for JCP members, Obecní

noviny (Community Newspaper), continued in 2015; eleven regular editions

were issued. The bulletin is published in both printed and electronic form, which

can be found on the Community website. In addition, the Jewish Community

Newsletter is published alongside the electronic version of Obecní noviny (ON),

informing members of the JCP outside the Czech Republic of what is happening

in the Community. It is translated free of charge by volunteers. This Newsletter

is also displayed on the JCP website. The online version of ON is in colour. The

graphic design of the printed version is based on JCP corporate design. The

Rabínský list (Letter from the Rabbi) was inserted into the Obecní noviny as an

independent supplement prepared by the rabbinate.

With its regular publishing of news from Representation sessions and JCP

management meetings and information about social goings-on and upcoming

events, Obecní noviny facilitates greater awareness and better communication

among members of the JCP.

In 2015 it continued to include a double page containing information from the

Lauder Schools, compiled by Petr Karas and Irena Poláková. It also featured

essays by Chief Rabbi Efraim K. Sidon (Thoughts on Siddur) and Rabbi Daniel

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Mayer (Several Interesting Tidbits About Paras Shemot, A Good Person Is Like

A Tree Whose Fruits Benefit Everyone, If You Save a Single Person, It’s As if

You’ve Saved The Entire World). Space was devoted to what was new at the

Jewish Museum in Prague, in particular the renovation and reopening of the

Maisel Synagogue, information regarding the return of lost Torah mantles, and

the awarding of a Certificate of Excellence to the Jewish Museum in Prague by

TripAdvisor.

Regular reports were published regarding cultural programmes at the Jewish

Museum of Prague, exhibitions at the House of Photography (Auschwitz

Album), and at the Robert Guttmann Gallery (Zmařené naděje [Shattered Hope],

Ztracené obrazy [Lost Pictures]). Readers were kept regularly informed of the

activities of the JCP social department, about the “Comprehensive Care for

Seniors” and “Dokaž o s nami” (You Can Do It With Us) projects, and about

regular activities in the Balcony Café and rehabilitation stays for JCP seniors.

Ms Golda’s “agony aunt” column also continued to be published.

Obecní noviny devoted space to documenting projects supported by Norway

Grants for the renovation of 480 tombstones in the New Jewish Cemetery in

Prague and to the reconstruction of three large family tombs, and also reported

on the cleaning of the Mikveh in the Pinkas Synagogue.

In the section Osudy (Fates), memoirs by physician Alžbeta Franková,

Magdalena Horetzká, Věra Saudková, Bohumila Havránková, Otta Beck,

MUDr. Ladislav Zeman, Inna Rottová, and testimony by Moshe Zeev Gelbert

about the fate of his family were published. Recollections of a number of

personalities were published - on Ota Pavel, writer and sports journalist, on

radio commentator Karel Kyncl, on Otto Schling, as well as excerpts from the

book Kronika Wolfganga Friedricha Bedřicha Borgese (The Chronicle of

Wolfgang Friedrich Bedřich Borges).

Attention was drawn to awards: the Memory of a Nation Award was presented

to Anna Hyndráková and Viktor Wellemín, the Austrian Cross of Honour for

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science and art was awarded to Helga Hošková-Weissová, and the “First Lady

of Czech Culture” award was personally presented to Magdalena Horňáková by

Czech Minister of Culture Daniel Herman.

Readers were provided with a wide range of news and information through

interviews with personalities from the social, religious, and cultural areas: Chief

Rabbi of Prague David Peter, Rabbi Daniel Mayer, Rabbi Michael Dushinsky,

painter Adolf Lang, new Hagibor SCF director Martin Roth, author Paul Glaser

about his book Dance With The Enemy (Tanec s nepřítelem), director Nataša

Dudinski about her film Gisi (Gisi Fleischmann), Blanka Rozkošná about

restoring Jewish monuments, Prof. Jan Jehličká about research work in Israel,

Erika Landischová on art therapy and courses for JCP members, Vida

Neuwirthová about the Feigel children’s theatre, pianist Božena Steinerová, and

many others. Of special interest was the re-publication of an interview of Jan

Jandourek with Leo Pavlát in the internet weekly Svobodný fórum. Readers were

also informed about the participation of the Czech delegation in the 2015

European Maccabiah Games in Berlin.

During 2015 Obecní noviny also published tales set in Jewish environments

from the pens of Liat Navi (Úkol [Task]), Inna Rottová (Němčinářka [The

German Teacher]), Heinz Willheim (Zákazník pana Kalivody [Mr Kalivoda’s

Customer], Nejmlčenlivější [The Most Taciturn]), Rut Sidonová ( Sci-fi 2005,

Bazar na obci [Bazaar in the Village]) and Zuzana Peterová (Teta v komoře

[Aunt in the Closet]).

The newsletter presented brief descriptions of significant projects, commented

on current political affairs, and provided information concerning the Federation

of Jewish Communities in the Czech Republic. It reported in detail on the JCP

financial results for the preceding year and on approval of the budget for the

year following.

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Regular information about new books, interesting exhibitions, and theatre

productions also appeared in Obecní noviny. The editor in chief during 2015 was

Petr Balajka.

IV. Cultural and Social Events, Celebration of Jewish Holidays, Commemorative Acts,

Important Visitors

Shalom Aleichem Radio Show

The positive image of the Community has been boosted for several years now

by the radio show, Shalom Aleichem – Peace Be With You, broadcast on Regina

Prague (92.6 FM). However, the station underwent changes in 2015 and the

show was cancelled without compensation in March.

Cultural and Social Events, Celebration of Jewish Holidays

In 2015, the talk show Coffee at Four continued with fifteen editions. The dates

were adapted to suit the guests and lecturers, as well as the Jewish calendar.

Guests this year included: doc. RNDr. Karel Oliva, Dr., director of the Czech

Language Institute of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic; Plk.

JUDr. Jiří Komorous director of the Unit for Protection of Constitutional

Authorities; Mgr. Marek Vácha, Ph.D., molecular biologist, theologian, Catholic

priest and author, head of the Ethics Institute at the Charles University 3rd

Medical Faculty; doc. Ing. Ilona Švihlíková, Ph.D., head of the political and

social sciences department at the University of International and Public

Relations Prague; plk. prof. MUDr. Vladimír Beneš, DrSc., head of the

Neurosurgery Clinic at ÚVN Praha and the Charles University 1st Medical

Faculty; PhDr. Eva Bendová, Ph.D., curator and art historian; prof. RNDr. Julius

Lukeš, CSc., director of the parasitology institute at the Academy of Science of

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the CR, molecular biologist and parasitologist; MUDr. Hana Roháčová, Ph.D.,

chief physician at the Infectious, Parasitic, and Tropical Diseases Clinic at

Bulovka Hospital; Mgr. Michal Švanda, Ph.D, astrophysicist studying

helioseismology; doc. MUDr. Radvan Bahbouh, Ph.D., psychologist, physician,

and mathematician; Hynek Kmoníček, director of the International Department

at the Office of the President; Karel Hvížďala and František Koukolík,

journalists; Šimon Pánek, founder and director of the humanitarian organisation

People In Need (Člověk v tísni), and Martin Rozumek, director of the Czech

Organisation For Aid To Refugees; Petr Geřábek, veteran of the Czech mission

in Afghanistan. Each afternoon show was prepared and hosted by Jan Neubauer.

The shows are produced with the financial support of Prague City Hall.

In 2015 the programme Early Evening with Yvonne Přenosilová continued,

with a total of five editions. Guests included folk songwriter and guitarist Wabi

Daněk, actress Barbora Hrzánová, actor Josef Carda, actor and director Jan

Kačer, and actress Jana Švandová.

On 22 January 2015, the author Zuzana Peterová presented her new book Teta v

komoře (Aunt in the Closet). Excerpts from the book were read by Miriam

Kantorková, and Božena Steinerová played the piano.

3 February 2015 – celebration of the holiday Tu BiSchvat, the Jewish New Year

of the Trees.

19 February 2015 – discussion evening in Maiselova Street on the topic: From

Zionist Utopia to Real Zionism: The Changing Face of Israeli Society Over The

Years, Part II. Guests: Daniel Ziss, architect and teacher; Irena Kalhousová,

analyst.

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3 March 2015 - JCP Hall - concert by violinist Miroslav Ambrož (organised by

JCP and FJC)

7 March 2015 - Purim celebration evening programme

The Ernyei Art Agency prepared an evening that kicked off with the wonderful

Purim Play 2015 based on a script by Petr Koleček, directed by Kryštof Pavelka.

The guests for the next part of the programme were radio director Hana

Kofránková and violincellist Judita Škodová. Vida Neuwirthová hosted the

evening. After the end of the programme, the entertainment continued with

Swingfonix and singer Petra Ernyei. The Czech Union of Jewish Youth

organised an afterparty on the third floor of the JCP.

8 March 2015 - Purim celebration for children at Hagibor, an afternoon

programme prepared by the JCP and TCC with performances by the Feigel

Theatre, a clown, and a magician.

17 May 2015 – discussion evening in Maiselova Street on the topic: Jews and

Europe Post-Charlie Hebdo. Guests: Věra Tydlitátová, judoist, and Zbyněk

Tarant, historian. Hosted by Jan Fingerland.

20 January 2015 - screening of the film Gisi on the occasion of the 70th

anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, based on the story of Gisi

Fleischmann.

30 April 2015 – discussion evening in Maiselova Street on the topic: Liberators

and/or Occupiers. Czechs, Czech Jews, and the Soviet Union. Guests: Toman

Brod, historian and author; Hana Kubátová, historian; and Adam Drda,

documentary filmmaker and creator of the progamme Stories of the 20th

Century. Hosted by Irena Kalhousová.

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28-31 May 2015 - eighth meeting of Maislovka’s Children

Over 150 participants took part, primarily from abroad.

4 June 2015 – discussion evening in Maiselova Street on the topic: Hebrew

During the Time of Husák and Havel. Guests: Jiřina Šedinová, founder of

modern Czech Hebrew studies; Lenka Bukovská, Hebrew scholar and director

of Ulpan, o. s.; and Magdalena Křížová, Hebrew scholar and translator. Hosted

by Jan Fingerland.

21 June 2015 – Judafest 2015, a fair presenting Czech Jewish organisations on

Náměstí Míru. The event was held with the financial support of the Foundation

for Holocaust Victims and under the auspices of the Federation of Jewish

Communities in the Czech Republic and Prague District 2.

6 September 2015 – as part of Days of European Cultural Heritage, tours with

commentary were given of the Old Jewish Cemetery in Žižkov and the New

Jewish Cemetery in Libeň.

9 September 2015 - meeting of new members at the Town Hall with the JCP

leadership and leaders of individual centres and facilities. Those present were

welcomed by Jan Munk, Community chairman, Rabbi David Peter introduced

the rabbinate, followed by presentations by the leaders of the individual centres.

16 September 2015 – discussion evening in Maiselova Street on the topic: The

Jewish State versus the Islamic State. Is ISIS a threat to Israel? Guests: Jan

Fingerland, Czech Radio commentator; Daniel Kumermann, diplomat and

former ambassador to Israel; and Pavel Novotný, Czech Television

commentator. Hosted by Irena Kalhousová.

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22 October 2015 - visit of Israeli President Reuven Rivlina to the JCP.

11 November 2015 – discussion evening in Maiselova Street on the topic:

Benefit, threat, or obligation - How to solve the current refugee crisis. Guests:

Tomáš Haišman, director of the Department of Asylum and Migration Policy at

the Czech Ministry of the Interior; Tomáš Rektor, psychiatrist and

psychotherapist; and Jitka Trachtová, coordinator of People in Need’s Syrian

programmes. Hosted by Petr Mandl.

8 December 2015 - Chanukah celebration at the Balcony Café.

12 December 2015 – Chanukah party for adults in the Town Hall Ballroom.

The celebration was planned by the JCP in cooperation with Hakoach, the Czech

Jewish Students’ Union (CJSU), Bejt Simcha, and the Hagibor Tri-Generation

Community Centre. The traditional lighting of the sixth Chanukah candle in

front of the Town Hall on Maiselova Street was preceded by the Prague

Chanukah Run. Chief Rabbi of Prague David Peter and Israeli Ambassador Gary

Koren welcomed the runners and participants in the Chanukah celebrations in

front of the Town Hall. The main programme followed, hosted by Anna

Polívková and Iby Pop: the Israeli children’s choir sang, Jiří Jelínek read stories

by Běla Chagall, Stanislava Bradová and her two children Martin Mrzen and

Kristýna Mrzenová played songs by Dmitri Shostakovich, and a duo from Zig

Zag studio demonstrated tap dancing. The final part of the evening was jazzy,

with music by the Petr Emyei Quartet. Jewish youth held a disco and other live

entertainment on the third floor.

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13 December 2015 - Chanukah for kids. In the Jewish Community Ballroom,

children from the Feigel Theatre performed a new play, Sixth Day of Creation,

sang Chanukah songs, and Aleš the clown made an appearance.

17 December 2015 – discussion evening in Maiselova Street on the topic:

Security at Jewish Properties: A Public Issue or Not? Guests: Michal Borges,

JCP secretary; Zdeněk Kalvach, former head of JCP security and author of a

project to coordinate the security of Jewish organisations; Jakub Král, director of

the security department of JCP; and Jan Munk, chairman of the Jewish

Community of Prague. Hosted by Irena Kalhousová.

Commemorative Events

On 27 January 2015 a concert was organised in the Spanish Synagogue in

cooperation with the Jewish Museum in Prague to mark International Holocaust

Remembrance Day. The concert featured works by Joseph Haydn, Zikmund

Schul, Josef Suk, and Ernest Bloch as performed by the M. Nostitz string

quartet.

Also on 27 January 2015, for the ninth time, the Foundation for Holocaust

Victims in cooperation with the Federation of Jewish Communities in the Czech

Republic assembled in the Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic to

mark the Memorial Day for the Victims of the Holocaust and Prevention of

Crimes against Humanity.

On 26 and 27 January 2015 the LET MY PEOPLE LIVE Forum took place,

organised by the European Jewish Congress on the occasion of International

Holocaust Remembrance Day and the 70th anniversary of the liberation of the

Auschwitz-Birkenau extermination camp. The main event took place in the

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Spanish Hall at Prague Castle attended by Czech President Miloš Zeman and

President of the European Jewish Congress Moshe Kantor.

On 8 March 2015 a remembrance ceremony was held in the Pinkas Synagogue

for the family camp in Auschwitz-Birkenau, whose inmates were slaughtered

during the night of March 8th and 9th 1944. Jewish Museum director Leo Pavlát

lit a candle in memory of all victims of mass murders. Survivor Hanuš Hron

delivered the main speech. A prayer for the murdered was delivered by Chief

Rabbi of the Czech Republic Efraim Karol Sidon.

A remembrance to the victims of Jewish genocide, Yom HaShoah 5775 (2015),

was held on 16 April 2015 in the Pinkas Synagogue. The Prayer for the Dead

was recited by Chief Rabbi of the Czech Republic Efraim K. Sidon. JCP

Chairman Jan Munk lit candles in memory of the murdered, MUDr. Tomáš

Radil offered a reflection on the Holocaust and its legacy for the present day,

and several dozen names of the murdered were read out. The 10th annual

afternoon public reading of the names of Holocaust victims organised by the

Terezín Initiative Institute and the Foundation for Victims of the Holocaust took

place at Náměstí Míru.

V. Report on the Activities of the Separate Departments of the JCP

1. Rabbinate

The powers and duties of the Rabbinate include: providing for all religious

activities of the JCP; organisation of holidays; organisation and convention of

the special rabbinic court; maintaining a register of Jewish marriages and other

relevant documentation and issuance of relevant affirmations; supervision over

the religious guidance and education of JCP members (regular religion classes

from the Midrash and holding special courses); education of children (Talmud

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and Torah), youth (Pizza and Torah), and women (Gemara for women and Rosh

Chodesh); supervision over acceptance of new members into the JCP; selection

of candidates for conversion, providing their tuition and guidance towards

Judaism; supervision of operation of the ritual baths; overseeing the activities of

religion teachers; making decisions in matters of kashrut, issuing hechshers

(certificates of compliance with Kashrut requirements), overseeing catering both

inside the JCP and outside; ensuring that synagogues are equipped; inspection of

the condition of ritual objects, responsibility for the ritual objects used and their

condition; co-decision-making on the use of consecrated buildings owned by the

JCP; close cooperation with the Lauder Schools and the Bejachad citizen’s

association which works with pre-school children; and cooperation with the

CJSU; inspection of kosher foods at source and compiling a list of kosher foods

for the benefit of JCP members. The Rabbinate is also responsible for operation

of the New Jewish Cemetery and Old Jewish Cemetery in Žižkov.

The Rabbinate publishes a monthly supplement to the Obecní noviny, entitled

Rabínské listy. Currently, regular tuition is currently underway in the JCP

Midrash, including such topics as an introduction to Judaism, a Bar Mitzvah

preparation course, Gemara, Halacha, Mishna, Maharal, and at the Hagibor

Social Care Facility, Talmud for women.

Chief Rabbi of Prague: David Peter

Head of the Rabbinate: Lior Sharafi

Rabbis: Menachem Kalcheim (responsible for kashrut)

Rabbinate Secretary: Dagmar Dushinsky

Cantors: Alexandr Putík, Jerusalem Synagogue

Bryan Wood, Old-New Synagogue

Teachers in Midrash: Michael Dushinsky, Efraim K. Sidon, David Peter

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Mashgiachs: Václav Bittner, Marie Goldbergerová, Jakub Peter, Mark Polevoj,

Evgenyi Shternov, Chaim Kočí, Tomáš Pulc

Balanits in the mikveh: Jana Peterová, Dagmar Dushinsky, Alena Černá, Marta

Polakovičová

Shameses: Andrej Weissman, Old-New Synagogue and the High Synagogue

Emil Svátek, Jerusalem Synagogue; Milan Walter as of 1 September 2015

Václav Peter: Hagibor Social Care Facility

Prayers: Daily morning and afternoon prayers take place in the High Synagogue;

daily evening prayers in the Old-New Synagogue; Sabbath and holiday prayers

take place in the Old-New and Jerusalem Synagogues

Rabbinic Court (Beit Din): president of the rabbinic court – Rabbi Noach

Landsberg; members of the court – Rabbis Eliezer Damari, Yehuda Yesharim

and David Peter. Court secretary – David Peter. Two meetings of the Rabbinic

Court took place in 2015.

Kashrut: In addition to ritual provision of JCP catering facilities (Shalom

Restaurant, Balcony Café, Lauder Schools, Hagibor) and Dinitz Restaurant, 13

new kosher certificates were issued to food companies and 17 certificates were

extended, including hechsher co-certification at the King David Hotel.

Over the course of the year, production of basic kosher foods was arranged, such

as cheeses and curd cheeses from these dairies: Polná, Olešnice, Přibyslav

(Camembert-type), Lacrum Velké Meziříčí, Otinoves (blue cheese), Orrero

Litovel (Gran Moravia – parmesan type cheese), Tvarůžkárna Loštice, and Olma

Olomouc; bread and bread products from Biopekárna, United Bakeries, Penam,

Mansson, and Mamacoffee; mayonnaises and ketchup from Spak; biscuits from

Mokate; frozen fruits and vegetables from Agro; tinned fruits and vegetables

from Alibon and Hamé; frozen fish from Nowaco; and jams and preserves from

Novák.

Circumcisions: 6

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Bar Mitzvahs: 0

Weddings: 3, 2x performed by Rabbi David Peter, 1x Rabbi Kalcheim

New Members: The JCP accepted 52 regular members, 23 special status holders,

and 1 guest in 2015.

Memorial and Commemorative Events: representatives of the Rabbinate

attended nine events.

Educational Activities: daily Judaism teachings in the JCP midrash; lectures at

the Hagibor, in the Charles Jordan Pension, and in the Lauder Schools; Talmud

and Torah for children, Pizza and Torah (for youth), Gemara for women, Rosh

Chodesh party for women.

The New Jewish Cemetery

The New Jewish Cemetery (NJC) is protected by the historical buildings

commission. Since it is a cemetery that has been used continually for the

funerals of deceased of Jewish faith since 1890, its condition requires constant

and costly care. Operation of this cemetery and urn depository is subject to the

regulations for non-public cemeteries applicable as of 1 January 2002 and by the

religious customs of the Jewish community.

In August 2010, administration of the NJC was divided into two parts, the ritual

part falling under the JCP Rabbinate and technical administration went to

Matana, a.s. Oversight of the work crew, consisting of four manual labourers

(cemetery staff, gardener, and caretakers), was transferred to the newly

established technical administration. During the year 2011, management of

greenery, buildings, communications and gravestones was the full responsibility

of this technical administration firm. The ritual administration staff was enlarged

in August 2011 by a manager who, as a delegate of the JCP Rabbinate for

technical administration, organised all activities surrounding funerals, urn

storage, archival activities, and overseeing compliance with ritual rules. For

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contact with the public, provision of basic information and controlling access to

the cemetery premises, two jobs in the position of doorman were maintained.

During 2015, 13 traditional funerals took place and 9 urns were deposited.

Traditional memorial events also took place. Overall administration of the NJC

continued this year with greenery maintenance and gradual renovation of

damaged gravestones and replacement of missing gravestones. The trees in the

cemetery precinct continue to require great care because several funerals were

complicated by the fully-grown trees encroaching on grave sites. During the past

year, the cemetery was expanded with a new urn section with a capacity of

several hundred spaces for urn burials. The new cemetery database continued to

be regularly updated in order to correspond with the actual situation to the

maximum possible degree.

Great care was dedicated to marking unmarked graves, from both the wartime

period as well as the recent past. For these activities, we work together with

SBH Matana, a.s. and with Chevra kadiša ČR, which is a significant partner for

cooperation in the field of ritual matters.

The cemetery as each year became involved in the Days of European Cultural

Heritage and during these days, tours with commentary were given, with an

added lecture on funeral rites, which was very well received.

2. JCP Social and Medical Facilities

The main aim of the facilities is to provide social and medical services at a

professional level according to the individual needs of their users.

The target group of all services provided is people in need, with special attention

paid to the needs of survivors of the Shoah.

All facilities work in mutual cooperation and are divided according to service

user target group and type of social or medical service: These include:

1. Ezra Comprehensive Home Care – social and medical care in the field,

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2. Social Department – social activation services for families with children,

senior citizens, and those with a medical disability,

3. Care service at the Charles Jordan Pension,

4. Hagibor Social Care Facility, day care and relief services – residential and

non-residential social care,

5. Three-Generation Community Centre,

6. Vehicle transportation centre,

7. General practitioner centre – medical care.

2.1. Ezra Comprehensive Home Care

Ezra Comprehensive Home Care (hereinafter Ezra CHC) is a non-state medical

facility and registered in-field social service “personal assistance”. Since 2002 it

has been providing users of the service an interconnected form of medical and

social care in their natural social environment according to their individual

needs. The main aim of this comprehensive care is to support and extend the life

of users in their own home environment as long as it is possible and safe.

Services are provided to those in need – users with reduced independence due to

age, chronic illness or medical disability whose situation requires the help of

another person.

Comprehensive social and medical services were provided to clients in their

natural social environments for the activities that they need to perform, and with

special attention focused on Shoah survivors, erstwhile victims of Nazi violence,

whose personal aims originate from Jewish tradition and roots.

Personal assistance services were provided within the City of Prague 12 hours a

day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year according to the individual needs of the

clients.

During the year 2015, a total of 200 clients were in the care of Ezra CHC. These

clients were provided with a total of around 15,000 hours of care - social, health,

and ergotherapy.

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Range of Services Provided by Ezra CHC in 2015:

•       home medical care – expert medical care according to specialisation 925,

•       social care services – social advice and provision of personal assistance

according to Section 39 of the Social Services Act 108/2006 and decree 505,

Section 5,

•       ergotherapy – expert medical care according to decree No. 55/2011 Coll.,

•       assistive devices rental.

Costs for services were financed from multiple sources – the JCP, state grants

and subsidies, health insurance companies, an FHV grant, a Claims Conference

grant, and client co-pays.

The Ezra CHC team was led in 2015 by director Ing. Eva Jelínková and was

composed of a head nurse, junior nurses, social services workers – personal

assistants, social workers, ergotherapists, administrative assistants, and social

work assistants. In 2015, the team comprised a total of 33 employees.

Important information is available on the Ezra CHC website at www.dpezra.cz.

2.2. Social Department

The Social Department provided three social services in 2015:

Social acquisition services for senior citizens and persons with medical

disabilities. These services are intended primarily for persons belonging to the

Jewish community and their close family who find themselves in a negative

social situation either for reasons of age, loss of independence, illness, crisis

situation, or their medical condition.

Great emphasis was also placed on support for the family and family ties, child

upbringing, partner coexistence, and family and intergenerational conflicts. The

programmes are aimed mainly at young families with children as part of social

acquisition services for families with children. The services are aimed at

supporting married and unmarried couples who belong to the Jewish community

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and, in addition to the usual partnership and parenthood questions, are also

tackling matters of identity.

A care service is provided to permanently accommodated clients at the Charles

Jordan Pension.

Social acquisition services for families with children and for senior citizens:

Social advice

Dusiach Help – psychotherapeutic services, crisis intervention over the phone

and in person, memory training and brain jogging, training positive thinking.

Claims Conference Medical Fund – financial contributions towards medicines

and medical aid and a GG grant for home care for Holocaust victims –

contributions towards medical and social care and transportation.

Health Club – swimming in the AXA pool, exercises in the Hagibor SCF gym,

trips and walks in the countryside, summer and winter re-conditioning stays,

boat trip.

Social support and social housing

Summer curative stays for children and families with children

Gešer Community Family Centre – programmes for families with children,

children, senior citizens and other members of the community – common

celebrations of Jewish holidays, social gatherings, PC room.

Volunteer programme for volunteers from home and abroad. Volunteer café

Miriam, house calls to clients by volunteers at the Charles Jordan Pension and at

the Hagibor SCF.

Employment support programme: In 2015, the Dokaž to s námi (Succeed

with Us) project was carried out, funded by OPPA (the European social fund),

which reacted to the needs of people threatened with long-term or repeated

unemployment with whom we came into contact as part of our provision of

social services. These people included those with medical disabilities,

unemployed over 50 years of age, and other vulnerable groups in the job market.

Thirty people took part in the project, working in training positions in the

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Balcony Café, in the workshops at Becalel and in the Jerusalem Synagogue, at

the Old Jewish Cemetery in Žižkov and the Želivského cemetery, cleaning

offices on Jáchymova Street and the Na Bojiští apartment building, and helping

deliver lunches and run errands throughout Prague. As part of the project, one

socially useful working position “receptionist” was created, which is funded by

a grant from the Labour Office.

In 2015, the Comprehensive Medical and Social Care for Senior Citizens in

field services and at the care home in the Charles Jordan Pension project

continued, funded by the European Union, the Swiss Fund, and the Ministry of

Health of the Czech Republic. As part of this project, theoretical lectures were

held on various health-related topics, and our physiotherapists and ergotherapists

provided individual and group exercise sessions. (LOGO )

This year we started the project Spolu až do konce (Together To The End),

focusing on developing palliative and hospice care supported by the Avast

Endowment Fund. The project is devoted to end-of-life issues, awareness, and

education of workers primarily in direct care in the areas of social and health

services. (LOGO )

A total of 257 clients used Social Department services in 2015, with a total of

6261 hours of direct services provided.

In 2015 the Social Department team comprised the following: centre manager,

four social workers, a psychotherapist, a financial assistant, a volunteer

coordinator, an ergotherapist, two physiotherapists, an office assistant, a work

consultant, a fundraising coordinator, workshop and café manager operators and

servers.

Two foreign volunteers from Germany and Austria and thirty-five volunteers

from the Tsmicha group worked for the centre in 2014.

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2.3 Care Services at Charles Jordan Pension

The Charles Jordan Pension is another of the JCP Social Department’s projects

and provides clients with long-term care services and accommodation. In this

five-storey building there are 26 flats – studios with an entryway and bathroom

with shower and toilet, and one double studio. The double studio is designed for

two people – such as a married couple, or for one physically disabled person

who needs multiple assistive devices and therefore more room. One flat has

been converted into a so-called short-term flat intended for Social Department

clients who, due to sudden medical or social need, require short-term

accommodation with social services provided.

Clients also have a common room, a multi-purpose gym, and a bathroom with a

washing machine. They may also use the balconies and seating in the courtyard.

The building is managed by Matana, a. s.

At the Charles Jordan Pension in 2015, care services and social acquisition

services were provided for senior citizens and for persons with medical

disabilities. The services consisted primarily of the following: help during

performing ordinary acts of care for one’s person, help in maintaining personal

hygiene, help in caring for the household, provision of meals, shopping, outings,

and accompaniment services. A very important part were the cultural and social

activities such group birthday celebrations and Jewish holiday celebrations at the

Jordan Café. As regards social services, the following activities were

implemented: memory training, group and individual ergotherapy sessions,

consultations regarding the use of appropriate assistive devices, professional

physiotherapists, excursions and swimming with the health club, fitness stays in

the Czech Highlands, the Beskyd Mountains, and in the Šumava region.

Home-based health care in 2015 was provided by Ezra CHC and Naděje CHC;

regular physiotherapy was provided by Monada and Naděje CHC.

In 2015 the care service also operated in the field with a capacity of 60 clients in

their homes in all parts of Prague. The most common services for these clients

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were assistance with household chores (shopping, cleaning), provision of meals,

and accompaniment services.

Six caretakers, including a laundry operator, work at the Pension under the

guidance of a social worker and a nursing services coordinator. In addition,

employees deliver lunches. Regular pedicure and hairdressing services are

provided. Care services for the Pension operate daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.;

eight employees ensure operation of the reception desk 24 hours a day. Field

services for clients are available on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

In 2015, care services were used by a total of 109 clients, with more than 8,000

hours of direct care provided.

2.4. Hagibor Social Care Facility

The Hagibor Social Care Facility (HSCF) is a social care facility that provides

comprehensive social services.

The following social services were provided: home for the elderly with 47 beds,

relief services with a capacity of 10 beds, and a day care centre with a capacity

of 5 places.

The home for the elderly service offers permanent accommodation, full board

and social care in accordance with Section 49 of Act No. 108/2006 Coll. and

Section 15 of Decree No. 505/2006 Coll., and medical care to senior citizens to

the scope described under specialisation 913. The service is provided to senior

citizens who, due to age, impaired state of health, and reduced independence, are

no longer able to look after themselves in their usual environment and need the

help of another person all day long.

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A total of 63 clients used relief services in 2015, 50 women and 13 men. Sixteen

clients were accepted; 17 clients died, of which 9 in hospital and 8 at the HSCF.

The average age of the clients of this service was 89.7 years.

Residential relief services provide essential breaks for families or persons

caring for a member of the immediate family in the household. The clients for

these services may be either senior citizens who need the help of another person

all day long due to reduced independence and impaired health, or adults with a

medical disability who need the all-day help of another person. The scope of

social care is stipulated by Section 44 of Act No. 108/2006 Coll. and Section 10

of Decree No. 505/2006 Coll. The maximum stay is 3 months.

A total of 45 clients used relief services in 2015, 33 women and 12 men. Some

clients used relief services repeatedly and some were subsequently moved over

to home for the elderly services. Three clients passed away, all in hospital. The

capacity of relief beds was fully utilised. The average age of the clients of this

service was 86.9 years.

The non-residential day care centre is aimed at senior citizens who have

reduced independence due to age or a medical disability that requires the all-day

help of another person, and persons with chronic mental illness whose condition

requires the regular help of another person. Clients come daily to the centre from

their homes. The service is provided on working days between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

The scope of social care is stipulated by Section 46 of Act No. 108/2006 Coll.

and Section 12 of Decree No. 505/2006 Coll.

The day care centre had a maximum capacity of 5 places in 2015. Seven

contracts were on record, one contract was terminated during the year, and four

new contracts entered into.

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All services are provided with special attention to the needs of Shoah victims

and persons whose personal goals originate in Jewish traditions and roots.

Cooperation with the JCP Social Department continued in 2015 - in cooperation

with Bejachad, the HSCF again organised a party for volunteers and clients of

the Miriam Café and the HSCF Three Generation Community Centre that was

held in the dining room.

Volunteer activities continued at HSCF in 2015. The schedule was designed in

such a way that volunteers had the opportunity to be of use in all areas where it

was possible. A total of 15 volunteers came to HSCF, 6 of whom helped in

daytime activity programmes and 9 volunteers visited clients in their rooms,

accompanied them on walks and to cultural events, played board games, read to

them, and generally kept them company. As is often the case, foreign students

made up a significant share of the volunteers at Hagibor. All those involved

were satisfied with the collaboration.

Other services provided at the HSCF included: ergotherapy, rehabilitation,

canistherapy, a general practitioner’s surgery, a geriatric surgery, and services

provided by other specialists. In 2015, 365 patients visited the rehabilitation

centre for physiotherapy as outpatients. These were primarily cases requiring

physiotherapy, electrotherapy, magnetotherapy, hydrotherapy, and machine

lymph massages. A total of 65 clients from the HSCF attended rehabilitation, a

nearly 100% increase over last year.

External specialists provided the following services and activities at the HSCF:

hairdresser and pedicure services.

Cultural programmes at the HSCF in 2015:

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Discussions

Discussion with Hana Hnátnová “A Message From Arnošt Lustig”, discussion

with Lucie Nachtigallová about dance, discussion with Michal Bušek - Hagada

in the Jewish Museum Collections, two discussions with Zuzana Růžičková,

discussion about biblical plants with Miloslav Kuklík.

Concerts

The Four Seasons – Autumn – Aneta Majerová, Marie Hasonová; piano matinée

– prof. Ivan Klánský; musical afternoon – Martina Hévrová, Tereza

Procházková, Bartolměj Gonczy, Soňa Mitrengová; The Four Seasons – Winter

– Aneta Majerová, Marie Hasonová; afternoon concert with children from

Václav and Ada Slivanský and Pavla Vondráčková Jahodová’s classes; concert

of children from the Roth and Konečný families; musical morning – Martina

Hévrová, Tereza Procházková, Bartolměj Gonczy, Soňa Mitrengová; musical

afternoon with students from the Secondary School and Music School of the

City of Prague; Israeli Independence Day concert – Susan and William

Goldenberg; piano matinée – prof. Ivan Klánský; musical matinée – Michal

Mašek, Petr Nouzovský; musical morning – Táňa Příhodová; Sunday matinée –

children from Václav and Ada Slivanský and Pavla Vondráčková Jahodová’s

classes; Coral de Gent – senior choir from Barcelona; musical matinée – Patrik

Hévr, Martina Hévrová; chanson recital – Zlatka Bartošková; morning concert –

Igor Tausinger; piano matinée – Radoslav Kvapil; piano afternoon – Božena

Steinerová and guests; piano matinée – prof. Ivan Klánský; Concerto in B minor

for Cello – Petr Nouzovský, Yukie Ichimura; concert with children from Václav

and Ada Slivanský and Pavla Vondráčková Jahodová’s classes; Klezmer

Mazltov – Elza Dunajová, Milan Kostiuk, Pavla Přerovská; concert of students

from the State Conservatory in Prague, Aneta Majerová Dorůžková; afternoon

concert – Petr Nouzovský and guests.

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Exhibitions

Exhibition of paintings by Oldřich Pražan and Daniela Římanová, exhibition of

paintings by Eva A. Schmidtová and Pavel Soukup, exhibition of photographs

by František Oujezdský, exhibition of paintings by Róza Rubínová and flower

arrangements by Jana Stegurová, exhibition of photographs by Petr Balajka,

exhibition of paintings by Ivan Kalvoda, exhibition of paintings by Lojza

Styndl, exhibition of photographs by Jindřich Buxbaum.

Various

Screening with lecture by Jan Neubauer - Bedouins, Traditional Inhabitants of

the Desert; Jewish New Year meeting with Czech Rabbi Karol Efraim Sidon;

discussion and screening of the film Remote Closeness - Fedor Gál.

The HSCF website www.dsphagibor.cz was operational all year.

In 2015 the HSCF cooperated with the following educational facilities as a

specialised work experience facility for students:

Charles University, 1st Medical Faculty, Prague – ergotherapy, physiotherapy,

nutritional therapy; Charles University, 3rd Medical Faculty, Prague – general

nursing, caregiving, Erasmus programme; Charles University Philosophical

Faculty, Prague - social work; Charles University, Hussite Theological Faculty,

Prague - social work; Czech Technical University, Faculty of Biomedical

Engineering, Prague - physiotherapy; College of Nursing, Prague - general

nursing; Jan Evangelista Purkyně University, Ústí nad Labem – physiotherapy,

ergotherapy; Social Work Vocational College and Vocational Secondary

School, Prague – social work; Social and Legal Vocational College, Prague –

social work; Vocational College of Nursing and the Secondary Nursing School

5. května, Prague - nurse; Secondary Nursing School Ruská, Prague - caregiver;

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Waldorf Lyceum, Prague - social work; MAVO, Vonoklasy - social worker

requalification; ACZ, Prague - social worker requalification; Počítačová služba,

s.r.o., Brno - social worker requalification.

According to the organisational structure of HSCF, the total number of

employees is 84. In 2015, the team consisted of: Director Mgr. Martin Roth, an

assistant to the director, 2 section managers, 62 employees in the social and

medical services section, 18 employees in the finance and operations section.

HSCF physiotherapists attended a number of professional conferences in 2015.

Two primary caregivers attended a four-day professional internship in OSE

facilities specialising in Alzheimer’s disease and dementia in Paris. The director

of HSCF and its sociotherapist attended the 9th conference of European Jewish

Centres in London, organised by the ECJC and JDC on the topic of About

Nurturing Supportive Communities. Direct care employees also took part in a

three-day professional course on Basal Stimulation.

2.5 Three-Generation Community Centre

The Three-Generation Community Centre (TCC) continued its activities in

2015. The main idea behind this project is multi-generational meetings between

the general public and members of the Jewish community, and offering

community activities for seniors and young families with children. Jewish

holiday celebrations, now quite traditional, took place in cooperation with

Bejachad, z.s. All holiday-related events were always well-attended in large

numbers. In addition to holiday celebrations, other successful projects took place

at the TCC in cooperation with the Lauder Schools kindergarten, in which

HSCF clients visited pre-schoolers. The project “A Chair for Our Guest”,

intended for Lauder Schools secondary school students, took place in the HSCF

concert hall. Of special interest were creative workshops, communal baking, and

various lectures. The TCC organised a Hebrew course for senior citizens again

36

in 2015. Community events for seniors and children have not only sociological

value, but also have a positive therapeutic impact on seniors and educational

value for children, for whom their co-existence with the seniors at Hagibor is

perfectly natural. Based on the appreciative words from seniors and everyone

who participated in the activities, it can be said that 2015 was very successful

for the TCC.

List of Events held by the TCC during 2015:

all types of bazaars, Jerusalem Day, children from Výšiny – performance by pre-

schoolers for seniors, Chanukah – holiday celebration, Chanukah market,

Chanukah baking, Chanukah Sunday café, Yad Charif – performance by an

Israeli group, Yom HaAcmaut 2015, Yom Hazikaron, Lag Baomer 2015 – BBQ,

Sunday café for seniors with student volunteers from the Lauder Schools – every

month, baking barches with children and grandmas – every month, Pesach –

holiday celebration, Pesach creative workshop for children and seniors “Let My

People Go”, “A Seat for Our Guest” project, regular project “Povídej” (Tell

Me), lecture “Gentlemen – A Dying Breed?”, KKL lecture, lecture “Christmas

vs Chanukah”, Purim – holiday celebration, Purim creative workshops for

children and seniors, Rosh Hashana – holiday celebration, barches baking, Bee

performance – everything about honey by the bees, Shavuot – holiday

celebration, Simchat Tora, Sports Day 2015, Sukkot – holiday celebration,

afternoon sitting in the sukkah, Shabbat dinners, Tu BiShvat – holiday

celebration, From the Life of Insects – stories for children and seniors.

TCC events in 2015 were funded by the JDC, the JCP, the Foundation for

Holocaust Victims, and from the Prague City Hall subsidy programme.

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2.6 JCP Vehicle Transportation Centre

The JCP Vehicle Transportation Centre (VTC) offers its services to members of

the Jewish communities of the Czech Republic, JCP employees, and members of

associated groups.

The vehicles are equipped and operations of the VTC are adapted so that clients

with restricted mobility can use them, especially senior citizens, for journeys to

the doctor, regular journeys to the HSCF Day Care Centre, to the Hagibor Club

and home again, to public offices, cultural events, on excursions and

regeneration stays. The vehicles are also used for delivery of kosher lunches to

individual households.

The VTC’s services are linked to services provided by JCP social and medical

facilities, thereby sharing in provision of comprehensive care for senior citizens.

Every client may book vehicle transportation at the facility that cares for

him/her, or directly at the vehicle transportation office.

The director of the JCP transportation centre in 2015 was Mgr. Martin Roth.

The VTC had three private cars, one minibus (16 seats), and one minibus with a

ramp (11 seats). Client jobs were dealt with by two vehicle transportation

drivers together with external contracted carriers Taxi Prague and Profi Taxi.

Collaboration with external carriers made it possible to cater for clients’ travel

needs in the late afternoon and evening hours, at the weekend, and on public or

Jewish holidays.

Vehicle transportation in 2015 was financed from the following sources:

16% – client payments (9% in 2014),

57% – JCP facilities and GG Fund (63% in 2014),

1% – external clients not JCP (Bejachad, FJC, TI etc.; 2% in 2014),

26% – JCP (i.e. to the extent of losses; 26% in 2014).

A total of 4,573 bookings were honoured and 69,188 km driven in 2015.

Development over the past eight years is indicated in the following charts:

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The majority of external carrier

bookings concerned transportation to

the doctor and meal deliveries.

Most of the kilometres were driven

for meal delivery (40%, or 28,000

km), journeys to the doctor (26%, or

18,000 km), and JCP facilities’

service-related journeys (8%, or

6,000 km).

The highest number of kilometres was driven for the JCP Social Department

(45%) and individual clients (45%).

We are confident that in 2016 the Vehicle Transportation Centre will continue to

satisfy its clients with its services.

2.7 General Practitioner

The general practitioner’s surgery for adults is housed in the Hagibor SCF and

operates on a full time basis. Healthcare is provided by three doctors: head

doctor MUDr. Daniela Macháčková, MUDr. Karin Taussig, and MUDr. Marie

Zunová, and nurse Kateřina Čítková. The surgery currently has 1,016 patients,

of which 648 are registered. The surgery is equipped to perform ECG, CRP

examinations, INR and fecal occult tests, and glycaemia and Doppler tests.

MUDr. Zunová also provides consultancy in the fields of nephrology and

angiology. The clients of Hagibor SCF and the Charles Jordan Pension in

Prague 7 receive regular care. A house-call service operates for registered

patients. Collaboration with Ezra CHC and Naděje CHC continues; the option of

home rehabilitation care and assistant services is utilised. The gerontology clinic

extended its office hours to 4 days a week; MUDr. Kalvach sees patients at

39

Year

Total

number of

km driven

Of which:

JCP

VTC

Drivers

Taxi

Praha

Profi

Taxi

2008 87,692 68% 32% -

2009 76,886 66% 34% -

2010 71,454 67% 33% -

2011 69,820 56% 44% -

2012 65,139 64% 11% 25%

2013 64,964 54% 4% 42%

2014 65,715 52% 2% 46%

2015 69,188 54% 9% 37%

Hagibor SCF as well as MUDr. Elischer. A range of specialists comes regularly

to Hagibor SCF – neurologist MUDr. Lenka Hlinková, diabetologist MUDr.

Jana Houdová, dermatologist MUDr. Ivana Kostková, ENT MUDr. Hoňková,

and MUDr. Babiaková has taken over the psychiatric consultancy. Once again

we have successfully secured rehabilitation care for SCF clients. Rehabilitation

physician MUDr. Švestková comes regularly.

Through this mutual collaboration, it is often possible for patients to remain in

their home environment even with great health limitations. Emphasis is placed

not only on post-surgery patient care and care of patients with transient

worsening health, but also on palliative care, which provides relief for patients at

the end of their lives or with irreversible disabilities. The surgery also provides

profession-related healthcare to JCP employees.

3. Library and Information Centre, Centre of Pre-Archival Care

The Jewish Community Library, as of this year a public library, carried out its

first inter-library loan with the Municipal Library of Prague. Thanks to our

inclusion into the circle of public libraries, we received a grant from the Czech

Ministry of Culture for the computerisation of our library collection. With the

funds raised, we purchased a new computer and printer for the study room,

which are available to library users. Throughout the year we worked on adding

our catalogue data to the unified Czech catalogue accessible on the National

Library website, so now readers searching the combined catalogue can see

whether or not the title they are looking for is available in our collection.

In 2015, the library both purchased and was given 185 books, which were

processed and added to the library collection. The library was visited by 900

readers who borrowed 650 books, a significant increase over 2014. Readers can

get information about new books once a month in Obecní noviny. Every first

40

Monday of the month, the new titles are displayed for browsing in the

Community café, and books can be reserved on the attached list.

The Information Centre deals with inquiries from both local and foreign

information seekers. Some inquiries can be answered from sources we have at

our disposal, but we also turn to other institutions, either for advice on where to

search or to ask them directly for the relevant information. It’s not unusual to

visit archives personally and look over the prepared materials. In most cases, the

correct information can be found. In cases where we cannot help, we attempt to

recommend places where the requester will likely succeed - some information is

available only directly from their relatives. The internet is extremely useful

when looking for information. Despite this, some inquiries remain unanswered.

Every day the daily newspapers are monitored for information for the head of

the department, the most important of which then appears daily on the

Community website.

In 2015, the Centre of Pre-Archival Care (CPA) received nearly 6 lm of

correspondence from individual JCP departments. This includes 1.3 lm from the

operations department (in 3 parts), 0.5 lm from the secretariat, 3 lm from the

finance department, and finally 1 lm from the fundraising and communications

department. In mid-2015, the CPA acquired documentation from the

Revitalisation of Jewish Monuments in the Czech Republic project, which is

part of the Federation of Jewish Communities of the Czech Republic’s activities.

This documentation was acquired under exceptional circumstances (as it does

not relate to activities of the JCP) and will be held only temporarily (for a

maximum of 5 years).

In addition to accepting correspondence, the CPA devoted time to research

connected with scholarly and other inquiries received by the Information Centre

as a whole. Of these requests, we can mention for example the extensive

41

research done in connection with the Old Jewish Cemetery in Žižkov as well as

with increased interested in music materials from the Jerusalem Synagogue.

The CPA also helped establish a data mailbox for the JCP, put it into operation,

and set up the system for recording and archiving received data messages.

At the end of the year, CPA finished work on a document entitled “List of All

Modified Data for 2013.” This is more or less the final materials summarising

the JCP restitution process after 1990.

The head of the library, the Information Centre and the Centre for Pre-Archival

Care is Eva Fantová.

4. Shalom Restaurant

The main mission of the Shalom Restaurant is the preparation of kosher meals

and the sale of kosher food for members, JCP employees, and their families.

This also includes a catering service.

In 2015, the restaurant had ten employees and made a total of 29,419 meals,

both for JCP members in the restaurant and for the residents of the Charles

Jordan Pension.

At the same time, and with the help of the JCP social department and volunteers,

kosher lunches were also delivered to the homes of JCP members.

1,169 meals were prepared for tourists in 2015.

As every year, Shalom Restaurant was involved in provision of refreshments at

various social and cultural events organised by the JCP. One of the particularly

distinguished tasks was to provide refreshments for the needs of the FJC, JCP

societies, the Czech Senate, Prague Castle, and other private events.

The restaurant also operates a kosher shop which experiences its greatest

demand during Passover. In 2015 the catering facility was again responsible for

widening the range of food on sale

The restaurant manager is currently Marek Holík.

42

5. Programme of the Lauder Kindergarten in Prague at the Charles University

Pedagogical Faculty Nursery School

This year was the 21st year that a special programme for children between three

and seven years old has been available for the Jewish children’s class at Na

Vyšinách faculty nursery school. It combines upbringing in Jewish traditions,

Hebrew tuition, and a ceramics workshop aimed at Jewish traditions and kosher

food. With their peers from other classes, the pupils can choose to learn English,

learn to play the recorder, go to the art, dance or dramatic club, or swim. The

programme has been led since its beginning by PhDr. Kateřina Bíglová.

Education and upbringing are targeted at individualised care and optimum

development of children of pre-school age. Hebrew tuition is available for all

children who have adapted to their class. While adapting to the new

environment, new children to the class stay with their teacher in the classroom,

while older children learn Hebrew through play, divided into groups according

to age. All of the children are guided to respect Jewish traditions and history.

Over the course of the year they make preparations for Jewish holidays.

As in previous years, some parents chose to enrol their child in the Lauder

Schools first year class. Before the celebration of Tu BiShvat, the children

created a colourful collage of a large tree as well as trees for the school atrium.

We continued to visit theatres and exhibitions in Prague and its surroundings

with the children. Pre-school children also visited the National Gallery at Trade

Fair Palace where they and other children of the same age became involved in

art-orientated activities. For Purim, children made invitations, costumes at home

with their parents, and then together they enjoyed the Purim celebrations. For

Passover, each child made a mosaic of Moses in the basket. They succeeded

quite nicely in presenting the story of Moses with drawn illustrations. In the

ceramics workshop, the theme was plates with Passover attributes. For the

43

holidays of Yom Hazikaron and Yom HaAcmaut, children made decorations for

the class and the atrium. At the six-class kindergarten Olympics, the children

competed under the Maccabe flag. In late June, the pre-schoolers had a farewell

party in the school garden with their parents, representatives of Prague District

7, and invited guests. The last month of the school year continued with an

excursion. Due to the extensive reconstruction work on the school yard, teachers

and children used the adjacent park from September to December. For Yom

Kippur, the children experienced the LES (FOREST) educational exhibition at

the National Agriculture Museum and the Dendrological Gardens in Průhonice.

Children prepared a performance for the seniors at Hagibor for Simchat Torah.

The delightful get-together concluded with a sing-along and well-deserved

rewards for the children. The Chanukah celebration brought the children’s

families together, some of whom have younger siblings who will be in the same

class in the 2016/17 school year. The Chanukah performance that the teachers

and children prepared was very successful, and the children later performed it

for the senior citizens at Hagibor. Education in Jewish traditions and Hebrew

language lessons are now a normal part of the curriculum.

As for practical teaching experience for the students of the Charles University

Pedagogical Faculty, the Jewish children’s class is a special model of education

and upbringing that permits a glimpse into the Jewish environment.

The financing of the Jewish children’s class is provided by the state in the same

way as with other state pre-school facilities and by the education authority, and

Prague District 7, sponsors, and parents also contribute. The special care

comprising Jewish upbringing, Hebrew tuition, and kosher meals is paid for by

the Jewish Community in Prague and the Lauder Foundation. In 2015 they also

financed the creation of a common study room for pre-school administration, for

the Jewish traditions and Hebrew language teacher, and for the ceramics and

Jewish traditions teacher. Parents and sponsors contributed primarily financially

44

and by contributing a helping hand during implementation of the school garden

project.

Over the course of the three-year alternative programme for Jewish children,

relationships are made not only amongst the children, but also amongst their

families, thereby creating friendships and ties that enrich upbringing, education

and community life of the Jewish Community in Prague.

7. Financial Department

In 2015, the Community’s financial department performed all of the necessary

duties of a legal entity. It employed seven permanent employees, one of whom

worked on a part-time basis, in the following positions: financial manager, head

accountant, accountant, payroll clerk, cashier, assistant cashier, and error

checker/budget clerk. A part-time IT administrative employee was also added to

the department. The IT administrators of the financial department also acquired

two contract experts and managed the development of JCP software from a

methodological point of view with the help of one of these experts.

8. Security Department

In 2015, 221 anti-Semitic incidents were reported. This figure is slightly lower

than the total for 2014, when 234 incidents were reported. The total number of

incidents, therefore, is largely unchanged. It is likely that many incidents with

anti-Semitic motives remain unreported, and that the actual number of incidents

could be much higher. Although 2015’s numbers were comparable, the results

cannot be attributed to a single event like in 2014, when the Israeli military

carried out Operation Protective Edge. The breakdown of the incidences is,

therefore, more or less the same as in 2014.

45

The character of the incidents remains largely the same as in previous years.

Anti-Semitic letters and emails were reported, as well as verbal attacks,

harassment at Jewish properties, desecration, and vandalism.

Anti-Semitic hate speech on the internet constitutes 82% of all reported

incidents. It is thus the most common type of incident. In 2014, there was an

increase in new anti-Semitic posts. This trend continued in 2015, when these

types of attacks made up 26% of all reported posts on the internet.

Traditionally, the most anti-Semitic posts are found on extreme right websites

and on anti-liberal sites. This was also the case in 2015. As in previous years,

the primary topics of these posts included Holocaust denial and conspiracy

theories regarding Jewish domination and influence.

Physical attacks on people and property with anti-Semitic motives remained at

the same level as in previous years. In 2015, five such incidents were reported.

As opposed to 2014, there were no physical attacks on people. All five incidents

were physical attacks on property.

There was a reduced number of threats as compared with 2014. Three incidents

were reported in 2015. This is a three-fold decrease over the 9 incidents reported

in 2014. No significant year-on-year change was seen in the harassment

category. There were 31 incidents in 2015, which is the highest total seem in this

category since 2008. The year-on-year increase therefore totalled just under

11%. Of the 34 reported incidents in the category “physical attacks, threats, and

harassment”, 27 took place in Prague or were directed at the Jewish Community

in Prague (harassment or threatening e-mails).

VI. Matana, a. s.

Matana, a. s., whose exclusive and sole owner is the Jewish Community in

Prague, operates as an independent commercial company, separate from its

46

founder. The company is headed by a board of directors. The general meeting

comprises the sole shareholder, the Jewish Community in Prague, which also

appoints the company’s supervisory committee. Implementation of the decisions

of the board and the general meeting is provided by the company director with a

team of employees. The average number of employees in 2015 was 25, 3 of

which were managers.

Board of Directors: Ing. František Tomášek, BSc. – chairman

Ing. Mojmír Malý

Mgr. Alice Güttlerová

Ing. Zdeněk Skála

Ing. Daniel Kosta

Supervisory Committee: František Bányai – chairman

JUDr. Tomáš Pezl

Tomáš Hruda

The main activity performed by Matana a. s. in 2015 was management of the

properties owned by its founder and sole owner, the Jewish Community in

Prague. Matana also performs this activity for the Jewish Community in Prague

Foundation, the Federation of Jewish Communities in the Czech Republic, and

the Hagibor Foundation. This involves not only management of “commercial”

buildings mainly in Prague, but also management of 273 Jewish cemeteries (181

belonging to JCP), 40 synagogues (30 belonging to JCP), and more than 150

cemetery buildings of all shapes and sizes in the territory of the Czech Republic.

The Situation in 2015

Non-residential property - a large proportion of non-residential property is

made up of office space, the price of rent per m2 of which stagnated or decreased

47

slightly in 2015. Construction of new administrative complexes has increased

competition in the market over the long term. Over 190,000 m2 of office space

was completed in Prague in 2015 (over 42,000 m2 more than in 2014) and

127,000 m2 of new offices were under construction as at year-end. The vacancy

rate for office space at the end of 2015 reached 14.6%. In Prague, 470,800 m2 of

vacant office space was recorded.

The greatest demand was found once again in the IT sector (37%), although this

is a type of client that is looking for different types of space than that owned by

the JCP. Clients of this type are looking for newly built business centres that

offer high-quality infrastructure and services. It can be considered a success,

therefore, that nearly all non-residential space administered by the JCP was

rented out in 2015. Basic rent for office space was stable during 2015 and no

extreme fluctuations occurred. Major changes in tenants took place only at the

Široká 5 property.

The situation with commercial space with display windows remained as stable

as in previous years and demand in the city centre consistently exceeds supply.

Flats – in 2015, the trend of replacing tenants continued in the centre of Prague.

Older tenants are gradually leaving and higher income groups are looking for

flats in the city centre. In 2015, it was necessary to make significant repairs to

19 vacated flats. All modernised flats were re-leased for higher rent. JCP

reserves were used for modernisation of the flats which meant that the repairs

budget was overdrawn.

Unpredicted flat repairs totalled CZK 11.8 mil. in 2015. Based on the decision

by the JCP Representation of 19 January 2015, the JCP reserve, established in

the amount of CZK 50 mil. from the sale of the building at Krakovská 13, would

be tapped to finance these expenses.

Revenues from residential and commercial space rent total CZK 83.561 mil.

which is CZK 1.192 mil. over the approved budget for 2015 (performance factor

of 101.45%).

48

Total revenues reached CZK 85.681 mil., not including subsidies. This total

includes insurance indemnification and extraordinary income in the amount of

CZK 257,000 as well as the sale of JCP property (building in Vodňany) for CZK

1.817 mil. From a point of view of income, the budget was CZK 3.282 mil.

higher than anticipated, even with the one-time revenues.

As regards construction work, in 2015 the primary focus was on reconstructing

vacated flats, as mentioned above. The total amount (planned and unplanned

expenses) for their repair reached CZK 15.2 mil. Furthermore, there were

several significant construction projects.

The single largest and most significant of these was the renovation and

completion of the Lauder Schools, with a total outlay of CZK 14.831 mil. This

included coordination of an exceptionally difficult project that was necessary to

complete during the summer holidays. The Lauder Foundation made a

significant financial contribution (50%).

Other significant construction projects included the reconstruction of the gas

furnace in the town hall building for CZK 2.76 mil.; the repair of the facade and

roof of the Community building at Jáchymová 3 at a cost of CZK 4.087 mil.

Overall the construction plans appear to have been exceeded, but if subsidies

and JCP reserve funds for flat reconstruction are subtracted, the construction

work plans for 2015 came in on target.

Work continued on the renewal and development of the Jerusalem Synagogue,

in particular the gradual restoration of interior light fixtures. In addition, the first

stage of the repairs to the external staircase to the gallery was carried out, as

well as modifications of the balcony for the exhibition on the revitalisation of

Jewish monuments “10 Stars”.

New Jewish Cemetery - activity in 2015 reached record levels. Work continued

primarily on the stabilisation of tombstones in structural states of disrepair, the

repair of architecturally significant family tombs, revitalisation of greenery,

documentation of tombstones for the cemetery database, and marking unmarked

49

graves. The scope of work performed this year was absolutely extraordinary,

thanks to grants received from the Norway Grants in the amount of CZK

4,754,868 (of which about CZK 1.5 mil. will come in 2016), intended to cover

the part of the costs associated with the repair and restoration of dilapidated

tombstones and tombs. In addition, the Buildings and Cemetery Administration

successfully obtained more donations and grants totalling CZK 1.5 mil. (from

Prague 3 District, Prague City Hall, the Czech Ministry of Culture, the

Rothschild Foundation, and FHV).

In addition to these subsidised activities, other work has also taken place, such

as the continuation of the repairs to the western section of the cemetery wall (to

Jana Želivského street), the restoration of elements to the main gate, the repair

and painting of the Tahara, workshop, and garage roofs, the dehumidification of

the administrative building - gatehouse, etc.

With absolute certainty it can be said that since 2011, when the management of

the NJC was taken over by Matana, a.s., the situation has changed radically for

the better in all areas, and that surely everyone has noticed the remarkable

changes.

Old Jewish Cemetery in Žižkov – one of the most significant events connected

with the technical management and maintenance of the complex in 2015 was the

main construction and restoration work performed on the Zappert Well, the costs

of which were partly covered by an FHV contribution in the amount of CZK

150,000, as well as necessary tree pruning. General maintenance of the cemetery

(grass cutting, trash removal, leaf and fallen branch removal) was secured

directly by JCP through clients of the social department, and at a very good

level. Part of the budgeted funds designated primarily for restoring tombstones

in the amount of CZK 90,000 could not be realised due to delays on the part of

conservationists. On the other hand, the operating costs for repairs and

maintenance exceeded the budgeted amount by CZK 35,000.

50

Care of Monuments Outside Prague

The building and cemetery administration (BCA) is an independent division of

Matana a.s. that organises care for Jewish monuments owned by the JCP,

scattered around an area nearly half the size of the Czech Republic. In its

operations, the BCA attempts to use subsidiary sources of financing, mainly by

obtaining funds from various grant programmes and donations.

The total volume of subsidies, donations and other income during 2015

amounted to CZK 4.101 mil. (CZK 6.677 mil. in 2014), which represents 32.4%

(37.2 % in 2014) of expenditure for the whole year totalling CZK 12.647 mil.

(CZK 17.956 mil. in 2014).

The ratio between total subsidies and donations received and available JCP

funds (total budget minus administrative expenses) was 0.80 (1.39 in 2014)

which means that for each CZK 1 paid out of JCP funds, in combination with

the subsidies and donations brought in CZK 0.80 extra. The sum of subsidies

and donations received, despite being slightly lower than in 2014, reflects the

great efforts made by BCA employees to acquire such funding and in its

subsequent administration. This amount comprises 73 separate entries (66 in

2014), most of which reflect the very complicated administrative, negotiation,

and justification process.

The most significant building and restoration projects in 2015 included

continuation of the renovation of the great hall in Pouchov near Hradec

Králové, the grave diggers cottage in Beroun, and the cemetery complexes in

Vlachovo Březí, Humpolec, Golčův Jeníkov, Polná, and Oráčov

During 2015, challenging rescue, conservation, and restoration work was carried

out on selected tombstones at historically significant cemeteries or those

threatened by erosion or vandalism in: Bechyně, Březnici, Čichtice, Čkyně,

Dobříš, Drážkov, Dřevíkov, Habrech, Horní Cerekov, Hořice v

51

Podkrkonoší, Hroubovice, Jindřichův Hradec, Kolín – old cemetery,

Libochovice, Měchnov, Mirotice, Myslkovice, Nový Bydžov, Pacov,

Pětikozlích Písečném, Podbřezí, Prague 5 Smíchov – new cemetery,

Přistoupy, Rychnov nad Kněžnou, Třebotov, Tučapy and Žamberk.

Cemetery walls were also repaired to a significant extent, especially in Běleč,

Hluboká nad Vltavou, Hostomice, Kosová Hora and in Tábor – old

cemetery.

In addition to the above, a series of other jobs were performed, smaller in size

but not in significance. This concerned namely removal and disposal of

unwanted vegetation and waste, tree surgery, and creation of documentation

(cemetery plans, photo documentation, transcribing epitaphs).

The original budget for BCA for 2015 was exceeded, but only by 0.6% (CZK

53,000). Thanks to an exceptional foundation contribution by FHV in the

amount of CZK 4.210 mil. during the second half of 2015, in reality a

significant savings was achieved. The finances paid out were used exclusively

for their intended purpose either as compulsory co-funding with subsidies or for

urgent works due to natural disasters and accidents.

VII. JCP Website

The new JCP website went live in August 2015, with a simplified structure,

divided into two sections - one aimed at the Community, and one with

information for tourists and visitors.

The website is divided into two sections - a public part not only offering general

information about the JC, but also selected news and upcoming cultural events.

The section accessible only to JCP members, special status holders and JCP

employees publishes minutes of management and Representation meetings and

sessions, important announcements, and photo galleries, and Obecní noviny may

also be downloaded there.

52

You can find the Jewish Community in Prague website at

http://www.kehilaprag.cz.

VIII. Grants, Subsidies, and Donations Received By JCP in 2014

Foundations and Institutions

a) with headquarters in the Czech Republic:

Czech-German Fund for the Future,

DRA-TRA, s. r. o.

EON,

European Union OPPA,

Federation of Jewish Communities,

Hartmann-Rico

JHF,

Prague City Hall,

Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the CR,

Ministry of Culture of the CR,

Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport of the CR,

Ministry of Finance – Norway Grants,

Ministry of Health of the CR,

Ministry of Interior of the CR,

Prague District 1,

Prague District 3,

Prague District 6,

Prague District 7,

Prague District 10,

Avast Foundation,

Foundation for Holocaust Victims,

PRE, a. s.,

53

Roksal, s.r.o.,

Labour Office - Prague,

Public Nonprofit Organisation to Support People Affected By the Holocaust,

Život 90,

Vysočina Region,

Pardubice Region,

Bechyně, Golčův Jeníkov, Habry, Humpolec, Kolín, Polná and Žamberk

Municipal Councils.

b) with headquarters abroad:

Claims Conference (USA)

The Ronald S. Lauder Foundation (USA),

Rothschild Fund

The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee.

Individuals (donations over CZK 10,000):

Vladimír Sýkora,

Eva Kedar,

Marie Konětopská,

Jana Sýkorová,

Ulrich and Regina Gottschald,

Filip Šanca,

Václav Fred Chvátal,

Dagmar Šabatová,

Jiří Vytlačil,

Evan Zohav Lazar,

Jan Krušina,

Charles Wiener,

JUDr. Kateřina Vodičková,

54

Blažena Petrlíková,

Hana Králová (heir of Franková),

Jaroslav Kalvach,

and many more who did not wish for their names to be published.

Donors (donations up to CZK 10,000):

In 2015, JCP received financial donations from hundreds of donators, mostly for

social purposes, repairs of Jewish cemeteries or as donations towards equipping

the HSCF.

IX. JCP Financial Results for 2015

The material was discussed by the JCP Representation on 14 June 2016. The

financial results for 2015 can be described as very successful. Financial

development was good in all respects. General results for 2015 finished with a

significant improvement versus the budget, as planned drawing of FRVR

resources in the amount of CZK 3.3 mil. was not necessary. Conversely the

overall balance showed a CZK 2.3 million surplus over the budget. An

additional CZK 10 mil. was added to the reserve fund for flat repairs. General

results therefore show a profit of CZK 12.3 mil. in compliance with all basic

financial goals for 2015. This result already takes into consideration the

approved creation of a fund for future maintenance of monuments within the

2015 financial results in the amount of CZK 3.8 million.

Based on an overall evaluation of the financial results, backed with an

accounting audit by Ing. Danuše Prokopová, KACR No. 0712, the

Representation approved the final results for 2015.

In addition, it is recommended that funds generated as a result of carrying out

the budget in the amount of CZK 12.3 million be deposited into the Large-Scale

Reconstruction Fund.

55

Summary of JCP financial results for 2015 (in thousands of CZK) from the

official profit and loss account, known as the balance sheet, is indicated in

this chart:

Item         Activities 2014 Budget (*)

Main Financial Total  

B.I. Revenues from special acts and for goods 29,628 159,380 189,008  

B.II. Change in quantity of intraorg. stocks 0 0 0  

B.III. Activation 57 0 57  

B.IV. Other revenues 6,842 152 6,994  

B.V.

Revenues from property sales, clear. res.

etc. 0 1,818 1,818  

B.VI. Contributions received 38,587 140 38,727  

B.VII. Operating subsidies 35,064 130 35,194  

B. TOTAL REVENUES 110,178 161,620 271,798 235,281  

A.I. Consumed purchases 15,571 3,506 19,077  

A.II. Services 34,216 47,120 81,336  

A.III. Personnel costs 88,013 12,583 100,596  

A.IV. Taxes and fees 271 318 589  

A.V. Other costs 22,930 2,309 25,239  

A.VI.

Depreciation, property sold, reserve

creation 0 31,304 31,304  

A.VII. Contributions received 48 0 48  

A.VIII. Extra income tax payment 0 0 0  

A. TOTAL COSTS 161,049 97,140 258,189 203,637  

C. Financial result before taxation -50,871 64,480 13,609  

  Income tax 15,896 15,896 15,000  

D. Financial result after taxation -50,871 48,584 -2,287  

56

Commentary: Results are positively impacted by the sale of real estate in

Vodňany (CZK 1.8 million), a gift from the Public Nonprofit Organisation for

People Affected by the Holocaust (CZK 8.1 mil. + CZK 220,000), and the

acceptance of a 50% reimbursement for expenses incurred during the

reconstruction of the Lauder Schools in the amount of CZK 7.4 million. 2015

finances reached a loss of CZK 2.3 mil. in comparison with 2014, an overall

reduction in losses in the amount of CZK 22.2 million was achieved. .

Summary of development in JCP assets as at 31.12. 2015 (in thousands of

CZK) from the official profit and loss account, known as the balance sheet,

is indicated in this chart:

Item

Changes

between

2009 and

2013

Situation as at 31. 12. 2013

Changes in

2014

Situation as at 31. 12. 2014

Changes in

2015

Situation as at 31. 12. 2015

Growth 15/14

in %

Assets              

Fixed intangible assets 579 1,432 0 1,432 0 1,432 100.0 %

Fixed tangible assets 71,259 1,433,258 -12,561 1,420,697 18,897 1,439,594 101.3 %

Long-term investments 41,000 41,000 -40,000 1,000 1,000 2,000 100.0 %

Fixed asset adjustments 140,093 543,536 28,523 572,059 30,328 602,387 105.3 %

Total fixed assets -27,255 932,154 -81,084 851,070 -10,431 840,639 98.7%

Stocks 1,576 3,145 92 3,237 711 3,948 122.0 %

Receivables 424,678 436,076 124,219 560,295 125,351 685,646 122.4 %

Liquid assets 1,014 90,315 101,212 191,527 1,521 193,048 100.8 %

Total other assets 3,117 5,900 -304 5,596 10,141 15,737 281.2%

Cash and cash equivalents 430,385 535,436 225,219 760,655 137,724 898,379 118.1%

TOTAL ASSETS 403,130 1,467,590 144,135 1,611,725 127,293 1,739,018 109.8%

   

Changes

between

2009 and

2013

Situation as at 31. 12. 2013

Changes in

2014

Situation as at 31. 12. 2014

Changes in

2015

Situation as at 31. 12. 2015

Growth 15/14

in %

Liabilities

Equity 22,365 1,033,883 -17,286 1,016,597 26,919 1,043,516 102.5%

Financial result -29,421 -734 53,202 52,468 -38,859 13,609 25.9%

Own capital -7,056 1,033,149 35,916 1,069,065 -11,940 1,057,125 98.8%

Reserves -6,244 0 0 0 0 0 -

Short-term debts 415,409 429,950 107,476 537,426 129,802 667,228 124.2%

57

Bank loans 0 0 0 0 0 0 -

Other liabilities 1,021 4,491 743 5,234 9,431 14,665 280.2%

External capital 410,186 434,441 108,219 542,660 139,233 681,893 125.7%

TOTAL LIABILITIES 403,130 1,467,590 144,135 1,611,725 127,293 1,739,018 109.8%

Commentary: The summary shows that the value of the Community’s movable

and immovable property increased in 2015 by CZK 18.9 m in consequence of

investments to a total value of CZK 1.440 bn. In combination with intangible assets

and after deduction of depreciation, fixed assets total CZK 840.6 m; long-term investments amounting to CZK 2 m consisted of Matana, a. s. shares to a value of

CZK 2 m; based on a decision by the General Meeting, share value increased in

2015 from CZK 100,000 to CZK 200,000 per share. Receivable balance in short-

term assets increased by CZK 125.4 mil. year on year. Currently, Community

property (assets) as a whole total CZK 1.739 bn. The Community’s shareholder

equity in liabilities fell by CZK 26.9 m. Financial result before taxation is CZK 13.6 m.

58

X. Auditor’s Report

59

Basic Information About the JCP

Company Seat: Maiselova 18, 110 00 Prague 1

tel.: +420 224 800 812–13

fax: +420 222 318 664

e-mail: sekretariat@kehilaprag.cz

www.kehilaprag.cz

Bank account: Czech Savings Bank, Prague 4, Account No.: 1936531399/0800

Company ID No. 00445258

© Jewish Community in Prague, 2016

We would like to thank the following for photographs provided: Petr Balajka,

Jaroslav Fišer, Daniel Kaštánková, Pavel Veselý, Matana, a. s., Vida

Neuwirthová, Rut Sidonová, and the individual JCP departments.

Design: Vladimír Vašek

Print: Label, spol. s r. o., Kutná Hora

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