The Jewish Travel Expert
Experience Jewish Heritage Travel to Prague: Home of Rabbi Loew and the Golem Legend!
A family trip to Prague’s medieval Jewish Quarter, is a unique opportunity to explore one of the great cultural centers of European Jewry. It’s a place where legends come to life and you’ll catch a glimpse of centuries of Jewish history in every street and building!
The city of Prague, capital of the Czech Republic, is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Prague was also a Jewish cultural center for centuries and its Josefov Jewish Quarter was home to generations of Czech Jews. The Josefov produced some of the great cultural icons of European Jewry, including the creative genius Franz Kafka and the 16th century Rabbi Judah Loew Ben Bezalel (known as Rabbi Loew or the Maharal).
Rabbi Loew is best-known as the creator of the mythical Golem. The story is that he delved into ancient esoteric practices to create a man-like creature out of clay from the banks of the Vlatava River. At first the Golem was a useful creature, who could become invisible at will and summon up spirits of the dead. As long as Rabbi Loew remembered to remove the Shem from the Golem’s mouth every Friday evening he remained under human control and could not desecrate the Shabbat.
There are different versions of the myth, including the Golem running amok due to unrequited love for a human woman or going on a murderous rampage until the Maharal erased the Hebrew word “Emet” to stop the Golem. All versions of the story end on a mysterious note and suggest that the Golem could be brought back to life – if anyone was unwise enough to attempt its reanimation.
Planning a Family Trip to Prague’s Jewish Quarter
Prague is an amazing city to explore and although there isn’t a large Jewish community, luxury kosher travel in Prague is certainly possible. There’s no hard and fast rule about how long you’ll need to spend in the city to explore its Jewish heritage. The suggested itinerary in this article is designed to allow you to explore all the most interesting and important sites during a short visit. You can also stay longer and explore the city in greater depth!
Days One & Two in Prague
A private guided walking tour of the Josefov is the perfect way to begin your Jewish heritage travel experience in Prague. The first destination is usually the Old-New Synagogue (Altneuschul). It claims to be the oldest active synagogue in Europe and the attic – which is definitely closed to the public – allegedly houses the Golem’s remains!
Another fascinating site is the Old Jewish Cemetery with over 12,000 tombstones. The Maharal’s grave is a popular pilgrimage site and the multitude of ordinary graves offer poignant insights into Prague’’s long Jewish history. The city’s Jewish Museum Complex includes the Pinkas Synagogue and Holocaust memorial and the Spanish Synagogue, whose distinctive Moorish architecture adds some interesting variety to the Quarter. The Jewish museum has one of the world’s largest collections of Judaica with over 40,000 artifacts, 100,000 books and extensive archives.
Once you’re done with the Josefov, Prague itself is an adventure to explore. The 9th century castle is officially the largest fortified castle in the world and is home to the Bohemian Crown Jewels. There are some excellent interactive tours for kids and the views over the city are spectacular – especially at night.
When you visit the Charles Bridge your kids can follow the tradition of hunting for the “Brass Rabbi” (actually Saint John of Nepomuk and not a Rabbi at all). Touching the statue is supposed to bring good luck. Kosher travel to Prague includes a chance to sample some delicious Czech food. Your Jewish travel company will update you about which kosher restaurants are currently popular. The King Solomon restaurant, Prague’s oldest kosher eatery, invariably gets excellent reviews.
Day 3: Mystical Prague & the Golem Trail
Prague is the home of the Golem legend and a great fun day for kids is a walking tour of the Golem’s legendary route through the Josefov. The tours are age appropriate and won’t scare small children. They will definitely enjoy looking out for Golem statues and souvenirs, not to mention a trip to the Golem Bakery to sample some themed pastries and cakes. A fun family activity is a trip to the Clay Workshop where kids can mold their own Golem figures and create their own interpretations of the Rabbi’s mythical creature.
Day 4: Day Trip to Terezín
The Czech Jewish community was once one of the most prosperous and culturally significant Jewish communities in Europe. When the Nazis occupied Czechoslovakia in World War Two they attempted to erase a thousand years of Jewish history. The Germans murdered over 100,000 Czech Jews and only an estimated 14,000 survived the war.
A guided tour of the wartime ghetto and deportation center at Terezin details the suffering of Prague’s Jews during those terrible years – and their final fate. It’s a sobering excursion, but an important one that honors the memory of the dead. There are child-friendly exhibits on display, including drawings from the Terezin ghetto.
You will probably need a lighter and more cheerful activity after a trip to Terezin. One pleasant option is a family picnic in the beautiful Bohemian countryside. Your travel company can arrange kosher food, or supply a list of kosher stores and delis in Prague. It’s a good opportunity to let your kids run around and play (the Czech countryside is generally very safe) and you can relax and enjoy some sunshine.
Jewish Heritage Travel to Prague for all the Family
Travel is a wonderful educational experience for kids, and can also be a unique opportunity for family bonding. What’s important is to choose a range of age appropriate activities and plan a tailored itinerary that allows for plenty of variety and flexibility. A family trip to Prague’s Jewish Quarter can include mystery and adventure and the Golem legend and walking tours can become a thrilling game for kids. A river cruise or traditional puppet show can be a good excursion after a visit to a museum. Older teens might be interested in the life of Franz Kafka and enjoy a visit to his birthplace in the Josefov.
An experienced Jewish travel company can recommend all kinds of workshops, cultural activities and interactive learning experiences to make Prague’s Jewish heritage and Golem legend come to life. Your tour company can also ensure that your kosher travel experience in Prague runs smoothly. Options can include luxury kosher-friendly hotels or even self-catering apartments and kosher dining options. Prague is one of Europe’s top tourist destinations and is a safe and welcoming place for US Jews. Gil Travel can help you to create a unique tailored itinerary for the perfect family vacation.
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