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The Jewish Community of Drazkov

Drazkov

Drážkov; German: Draschkow

A village in south Bohemia, Czech Republic

Drazkov is located about 61 miles (98km) east of Prague. Until 1918 the region was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire; after World War I and until 1933 it was part of the Republic of Czechoslovakia.

The cemetery, which is owned by the Jewish community of Prague, is located in a small patch of woods on a hill named Radobylka, approximately 1 mile (1km) from the village. The oldest remaining tombstone dates to 1681 and approximately 300 tombstones are still standing. The pre-burial house and tahara (ritual purification table) were reconstructed and repaired and can also be found within the cemetery.

HISTORY

It is unclear when, precisely, Jews began living n Drazkov. A record dating from the middle of the 18th century indicates that there were six Jewish families living in the village, and that there was a prayer room and a cantor. By the middle of the 19th century there was an organized community of 20 Jewish families in Drazkov. In 1862 the community built a synagogue on the east side of the village, along the road leading to the village of Skrysov. Services were held there until 1932.

During the second half of the 19th century, following the 1848 emancipation of the Jews throughout the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the Jews living in more rural areas began migrating to larger towns and cities, seeking new and diverse educational and economic opportunities. Indeed, by 1932 there were only 2 Jews left living in Drazkov. Jewish community life continued to exist in some neighboring villages and small towns. Zduchovicce, Hrimezdice (formerly Vermerice) and Klucenice maintained active prayer rooms since the 19th century. Kamyk nad Voltavou (German: Kamaik), Smolotely, Trebnice, Petrovice, and Bohostice maintained minyans through the 20th century. Bohostice also had a cemetery with tombstones dating back to the 18th century.

THE HOLOCAUST

Following the Munich Agreement of September 1938, about a year before the outbreak of World War II, the Republic of Czechoslovakia was disbanded. Beginning in March 1939 Bohemia and Moravia were occupied by Nazi Germany and became a protectorate of the Third Reich, beginning a period of discrimination and violence against the Jews remaining in these regions. By the end of 1942 most of the Jews remaining in the protectorate, including those from Drazkov, had been concentrated in the Terezin (Theresienstadt) Ghetto. From there they were deported to concentration and death camps, mostly in Poland, where most were killed.

Jewish life was not renewed in Drazkov or any of the neighboring villages after the war.

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The Jewish Community of Drazkov

Drazkov

Drážkov; German: Draschkow

A village in south Bohemia, Czech Republic

Drazkov is located about 61 miles (98km) east of Prague. Until 1918 the region was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire; after World War I and until 1933 it was part of the Republic of Czechoslovakia.

The cemetery, which is owned by the Jewish community of Prague, is located in a small patch of woods on a hill named Radobylka, approximately 1 mile (1km) from the village. The oldest remaining tombstone dates to 1681 and approximately 300 tombstones are still standing. The pre-burial house and tahara (ritual purification table) were reconstructed and repaired and can also be found within the cemetery.

HISTORY

It is unclear when, precisely, Jews began living n Drazkov. A record dating from the middle of the 18th century indicates that there were six Jewish families living in the village, and that there was a prayer room and a cantor. By the middle of the 19th century there was an organized community of 20 Jewish families in Drazkov. In 1862 the community built a synagogue on the east side of the village, along the road leading to the village of Skrysov. Services were held there until 1932.

During the second half of the 19th century, following the 1848 emancipation of the Jews throughout the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the Jews living in more rural areas began migrating to larger towns and cities, seeking new and diverse educational and economic opportunities. Indeed, by 1932 there were only 2 Jews left living in Drazkov. Jewish community life continued to exist in some neighboring villages and small towns. Zduchovicce, Hrimezdice (formerly Vermerice) and Klucenice maintained active prayer rooms since the 19th century. Kamyk nad Voltavou (German: Kamaik), Smolotely, Trebnice, Petrovice, and Bohostice maintained minyans through the 20th century. Bohostice also had a cemetery with tombstones dating back to the 18th century.

THE HOLOCAUST

Following the Munich Agreement of September 1938, about a year before the outbreak of World War II, the Republic of Czechoslovakia was disbanded. Beginning in March 1939 Bohemia and Moravia were occupied by Nazi Germany and became a protectorate of the Third Reich, beginning a period of discrimination and violence against the Jews remaining in these regions. By the end of 1942 most of the Jews remaining in the protectorate, including those from Drazkov, had been concentrated in the Terezin (Theresienstadt) Ghetto. From there they were deported to concentration and death camps, mostly in Poland, where most were killed.

Jewish life was not renewed in Drazkov or any of the neighboring villages after the war.

Written by researchers of ANU Museum of the Jewish People