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Day 2 - The Jewish Quarter - Jews in Medieval and Pre-Modern Prague

We will begin this day with a brief overview of Jewish history in Prague - periodization, highlights, basic attributes and characteristics of Czech Jewry.

9:30 - 12:30 Tour of the Jewish Museum including:
The Altnoyschul- oldest operating synagogue in the world. Explanations will include history, architecture; customs; and the MaHaRal.

Maisel Synagogue: the story of Mordechai Maisel; David Gans; Avigdor Karah; the story of Jewish printing in the 16th century; the origin of the Magen David; Jewish art related to Torah books.

Visit to Pinkas Synagogue: brief history of the Horowitz family and the memorial to Holocaust victims. The drawings of the children of Terezin

The Old Jewish Cemetery: visit to the tombs of Gans; Maisel; the Maharal, and his wife, Handle Bashevi; Del Medigo; and others. Different Jewish customs, symbols and traditions will be explained. Klaus synagogue: Jewish art and Jewish burial traditions will be examined.

12:30 - 13:30 Lunch.

13:30 - 14:30 The Golden Age of Prague Jews: lecture on Jewish society in 16th-17th century Prague. This is the Age of the Maharal , Maisel and many other historical figures. Did they too, think theirs was a golden age? What was the "secret of Jewish economy"? What was the content of Jewish spirituality? What was the relationship of Jews to the Christian environment? What was the Jewish attitude to the arts and sciences?

14:30 - 15:30 Continuing tour of the Jewish Quarter: the Spanish Synagogue; the Community Hall; the Quarter limits; and the changes of the "Assanatsia."

15:30 - 18:00 Free time to walk about
18:30 - 19:30 Dinner

19:30 - 20:45 Attend a concert at the Prague Spring music festival.

The Golem story and its various versions and interpretations. Another possibility is the blood libel motif in the history and culture of the Czech lands(e.g. Shimon Abeles and the Hilsner Case). This will take place at the Center for Education
21:00 - 22:30 Exploring Wenceslas Square and the new Town. Here we will see monuments related to the National Revival and we will learn how national movements create national culture and national awareness.