Our Czech Scroll and Stained Glass Windows

Rabbi Richard Steinberg of Shir Ha-Ma'alot led a group of 15 congregants on a journey through Eastern Europe to explore the resurgence of Jewish life in places devastated by the Holocaust. A highlight of the trip was visiting Litomysl, Czech Republic, where their synagogue’s Sefer Torah originated. The group read from the Torah at the site of the town’s former synagogue, which was destroyed after being used for storage. Rabbi Steinberg emphasized that despite the Nazis’ attempt to erase Jewish history, Judaism endures.

The trip also included stops in Warsaw, Krakow, Budapest, and Prague, where participants witnessed both the destruction and revival of Jewish culture. In Warsaw, a new Jewish museum stands on the site of the former ghetto, supported by the government and embraced by young people reclaiming their heritage. In Krakow, Jewish studies programs are growing, with many rediscovering their Jewish roots after decades of suppression under communism.

Rabbi Steinberg reflected on the emotional weight of the journey, noting both the horrors of the past and the resilience of Jewish life today. He stressed the importance of remembering and supporting Jewish communities beyond Israel and the U.S., ensuring that history is not forgotten and that Jewish culture continues to thrive.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO ABOUT OUR CZECH SCROLL!