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The Jewish Community of Ivanovice na Hane

Ivanovice na Hane

German: Eiwanowitz

A town in south Moravia, Czech Republic

Ivanovice is located approximately 4 miles (7km) from the district town of Vyskov. Until 1918 Ivanovice and the region were part of the Austrian Empire. Between the two World Wars, and during the postwar communist era, it was part of the Republic of Czechoslovakia.

The Jewish cemetery is located behind a gas station and is in dire need of restoration. Hardly any tombstones remain upright, and many are broken.

HISTORY

It is unclear precisely when Jews first settled in Ivanovice, however, tombstones dating from the 17th century indicate that by that point there were a significant number of Jews living there. By 1727 a synagogue had been built. There was also included community center. A chevra kaddisha was active. By the mid-20th century most of the Jews in the community spoke German.

In 1848 Jews throughout the Austrian Empire were emancipated, and received full civil rights. Residence restrictions were also removed, which led to a migration of Jews to larger towns and cities in search of greater economic and educational opportunities. This resulted in a population decline of the Jewish community of Ivanovice, among other, similar, Jewish communities in the region. In 1857 the Ivanovice Jewish community's population peaked at 483 (approximately 23% of the total population). By 1922, however, the Jewish community of Ivanovice had only 80 members. At that time the community was led by Hugo Hajek. By 1930 the Jewish population had dropped to 64.

Between the two World Wars, the Republic of Czechoslovakia officially recognized the Jews as a cultural and national minority, prompting many Jews to become involved with Jewish nationalism and Zionism. Several members of the Ivanovice community purchased membership and voting rights for the 15th Zionist Congress.

Among the notable people from Ivanovice was the scholar of Jewish literature, Gustav Karpeles, who was born in Ivanovice in 1848.

THE HOLOCAUST

The Republic of Czechoslovakia was dissolved after the Munich Agreement of September 1938. In March 1939 the region of Bohemia and Moravia became a protectorate of Nazi Germany, ushering in a period of discrimination and violence against the Jews of the area. The Jews of Ivanovice were most likely deported to the Terezin (Theresienstadt) Ghetto with the Jews of Brno around the end of 1941, and from there were sent to a number of concentration and death camps. Before they were sent to Terezin, 25 books and 78 ritual objects from the community of Ivanovice were sent to the Central Jewish Museum in Prague.

POSTWAR

Jewish life was not renewed in Ivanovice after the war. The synagogue building was converted into a Czechoslovak Hussite Church during the 1950s.

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The Jewish Community of Ivanovice na Hane
Ivanovice na Hane

German: Eiwanowitz

A town in south Moravia, Czech Republic

Ivanovice is located approximately 4 miles (7km) from the district town of Vyskov. Until 1918 Ivanovice and the region were part of the Austrian Empire. Between the two World Wars, and during the postwar communist era, it was part of the Republic of Czechoslovakia.

The Jewish cemetery is located behind a gas station and is in dire need of restoration. Hardly any tombstones remain upright, and many are broken.

HISTORY

It is unclear precisely when Jews first settled in Ivanovice, however, tombstones dating from the 17th century indicate that by that point there were a significant number of Jews living there. By 1727 a synagogue had been built. There was also included community center. A chevra kaddisha was active. By the mid-20th century most of the Jews in the community spoke German.

In 1848 Jews throughout the Austrian Empire were emancipated, and received full civil rights. Residence restrictions were also removed, which led to a migration of Jews to larger towns and cities in search of greater economic and educational opportunities. This resulted in a population decline of the Jewish community of Ivanovice, among other, similar, Jewish communities in the region. In 1857 the Ivanovice Jewish community's population peaked at 483 (approximately 23% of the total population). By 1922, however, the Jewish community of Ivanovice had only 80 members. At that time the community was led by Hugo Hajek. By 1930 the Jewish population had dropped to 64.

Between the two World Wars, the Republic of Czechoslovakia officially recognized the Jews as a cultural and national minority, prompting many Jews to become involved with Jewish nationalism and Zionism. Several members of the Ivanovice community purchased membership and voting rights for the 15th Zionist Congress.

Among the notable people from Ivanovice was the scholar of Jewish literature, Gustav Karpeles, who was born in Ivanovice in 1848.

THE HOLOCAUST

The Republic of Czechoslovakia was dissolved after the Munich Agreement of September 1938. In March 1939 the region of Bohemia and Moravia became a protectorate of Nazi Germany, ushering in a period of discrimination and violence against the Jews of the area. The Jews of Ivanovice were most likely deported to the Terezin (Theresienstadt) Ghetto with the Jews of Brno around the end of 1941, and from there were sent to a number of concentration and death camps. Before they were sent to Terezin, 25 books and 78 ritual objects from the community of Ivanovice were sent to the Central Jewish Museum in Prague.

POSTWAR

Jewish life was not renewed in Ivanovice after the war. The synagogue building was converted into a Czechoslovak Hussite Church during the 1950s.
Written by researchers of ANU Museum of the Jewish People