In Suffering and Fighting

The Jews of Brno in Fateful Moments of the 20th Century

• Napsal: Jan Břečka, Dalibor Fiala, Táňa Klementová, Martin Reissner, Vlastimil Schildberger a Jana Šplíchalová
• ISBN: 978-80-7028-435-3
• Rozsah: 96 stran / 96 pages
• Formát: 210×210 mm
• Vazba: brožovaná / V2
• Datum vydání: 2014

The Moravian regional centre, Brno, has a relatively rich Jewish history. In the early 13th century, Jewish merchants established a settlement in the south-east corner of the town, around the lower part of what are now Masarykova street, Františkánská street, and Římské Square. After being expelled in 1454, the Jews found refuge in the surrounding manorial towns of Boskovice, Rousínov, Austerlitz, Dolní Kounice, Ivančice, and Pohořelice. For the following four centuries, they were banned from staying inside the walled royal town; they could only attend town markets with a special permit.

A substantial change occurred in the revolutionary year of 1848, and again in 1867 with the drawing up of the constitution, when the Jews acquired civil rights. From then, the Jewish population of Brno grew rapidly thanks to the migration from neighbouring old Jewish municipalities, with a total of more than 11,000 Israelites living in the town before World War II. At that time, the emancipated Jews of Brno significantly contributed to the social, economic, and cultural expansion of their town, engaging immediately with economic, political, and cultural life. The social life of the Jewish community developed through the construction of synagogues and other structures as well as the establishment of institutions, foundation, and societies.

The Nazi occupation of 15 March 1939 presaged tragedy. The Jewish Community of Brno was ordered to be cancelled in March 1942. The Jews were first deprived of all civil rights and property in 1939–1941, and then, in 1941–1943, deported in twelve transports to concentration camps with the aim to be exterminated. In total, 9,700 Jewish citizens of Brno died as a consequence of Nazi racial persecution during World War II. They are remembered by a monument located in the Jewish cemetery and a remembrance ceremony in tribute to the Holocaust victims held annually in spring. Shortly after the liberation, in the summer of 1945, the decimated Jewish religious community was restored, gradually spreading its domain over the whole of South Moravia. A considerable revival of community activities occurred after 1989, with a younger generation becoming more active and numerous institutions and societies being re-established.

The current Jewish Community of Brno, with over 300 members, has its office at Tř. kpt. Jaroše 3.