The rise in antisemitic incidents around the world is forcing Jewish travelers to think carefully about their next destinations. More and more travelers are looking for destinations where they can combine a holiday with a sense of security, without fear of walking around with Jewish symbols.
Written by: Avi Gedalovitz
One of the destinations that offers a solution is Prague. The Czech capital combines rich Jewish history with a welcoming environment for the Jewish tourist. In the city you can enjoy kosher restaurants, a mehadrin kosher hotel, visits to synagogues and the spectacular Jewish sites of the Old Town – all in a calm, relaxed atmosphere.
A European Air Full of History
When I land in Prague, the city greets me with a European air full of history. The streets are spectacular, the atmosphere pleasant. Prague is a mesmerizing city where every corner tells a story. My trip began in the center of the Old Town, in the main square where the famous Astronomical Clock stands. Every hour on the hour, small doors open in the town hall building and mechanical figures pop out in a little show. At the same time, the nearby streets and cafés are full of people, surrounded by many historic buildings that heighten the city’s familiar sense of magic.
From the mesmerizing display we continued to Charles Bridge, from which the picturesque view of the Vltava River and the whole city unfolds. Along the bridge stood figures from different eras, ancient statues and artists playing traditional instruments. That was the moment Prague revealed itself in all its unique power, leaving me in awe.
The Jewish Quarter – A Moving Stop
Prague’s Jewish Quarter was a meaningful stop for me. The ancient synagogues and the Old Jewish Cemetery illustrate the depth of Jewish history in the city. On a quiet side street stands the ancient Old-New Synagogue (Altneuschul), one of the oldest active synagogues in Europe. The special Gothic building, completed in the 13th century, is not only a testament to wonderful architecture but also preserves one of the most mysterious stories in Jewish history: the story of the Golem of Prague.
According to tradition, the Maharal of Prague created the Golem to protect the Jewish community from pogroms and threats. As the story goes, the Golem lived in the attic of the Altneuschul, where remnants of the material used to create it remain. Even today, the place arouses curiosity and attracts visitors from all over the world, looking for a glimpse of the mystery surrounding this fascinating story.
Prague – Connecting Past and Present
Prague movingly combines impressive Jewish history with a contemporary experience, and as a guest in the city I got to feel part of a Jewish story that lives and beats here. The historic synagogues, the ancient streets and the meals at the Chabad House created an experience for us that was much more than a holiday – it was an emotional and historical journey woven with culture, tradition and Jewish inner life.
Prague, the city of golden spires and ancient bridges, turns out to be a perfect destination for the Israeli tourist looking for a strictly kosher holiday without compromising on the full European travel experience. The city combines rich history with vibrant modernity and offers comprehensive solutions for the observant.
In Prague there’s a mehadrin kosher hotel open all year round, the “King David“. The hotel is highly recommended and serves lavish mehadrin kosher meals. It’s recommended to book the hotel only through the direct number 03-9119388 (Hebrew-speaking service, free call from Israel).
