Executive Report on Prague Flood from Steven Schwager
August 2002
Extreme floodwaters in Central Europe have inundated the Czech
Republic, causing an estimated $2 billion dollars in damage in Prague and surrounding
areas. One week after the onset of flooding, floodwaters have receded, but more
than 200,000 people remain displaced from their homes, in
need of shelter and relief.
Jewish leaders in Prague have estimated $4 million in damage to Jewish holy
and historic sites in the city's celebrated Jewish Quarter Josefov. The Jewish
Quarter suffered severe damage from underground flooding and sewage backup.
The effect of the torrential rains on the
city's three historic Jewish cemeteries has not yet been assessed. Known damage
includes:
- The Altneuschul, or Old-New Synagogue - the oldest functioning synagogue in Europe, dating back to the 13th century. The Altneuschul, built below ground level, has taken in four feet of water in the main sanctuary.
- The Pinkas Synagogue. The interior walls of the synagogue are inscribed
with the names of the
77,297 Jewish Holocaust victims from Bohemia and Moravia. Water levels inside the building have reached almost 7 feet, causing severe damage to the memorial. - The Jewish Town Hall - home to the Federation of Jews Religious Communities in the Czech Republic and the Jewish Religious community in Prague. The newly built community-restaurant kitchen has been destroyed and additional damage is still being assessed.
- The Prague Jewish Museum. Under Nazi occupation, the Prague Jewish Museum
was
transformed into a Central Jewish Museum, to showcase "historical"artifacts from the liquidated
Jewish communities and synagogues of Bohemia and Moravia. The central building of the Museum has experienced significant underground flooding, as well as a loss of electrical and cooling systems, threatening damage to rare manuscripts and books.
JDC
is accepting contributions for non-sectarian disaster relief and on behalf of
the Prague JewishCommunity for the restoration of Jewish community sites. Checks may be made out to:
JDC Czech Republic Flood Relief and sent to
JDC Czech Republic Flood Relief,
711 Third Avenue,
NY, NY 10017.
Donors should specify on their check whether funds should be directed to non-sectarian relief for the displaced and/or for the restoration of Jewish community sites.
