Czech Jewish in Czechia

The Czech Jewish have only been reported in Czechia
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Czech Republic is also known as Czechia Prague is the capital city. Jews have lived in Prague since 970 AD. By the end of the 11th century there was a fully established Jewish community. From the late 11th century through the early 15th century, Czechia Jews faced persecution. This was repelled, and from 1522 to 1541, the Jewish population of Prague almost doubled. Jewish refugees, who were expelled from Moravia, Germany, Austria, and Spain came to Prague. The Jewish Quarter officially became the ghetto.


Most of Czechia Jews were isolated from the "high" culture outside their community, however, a number of them became mathematicians, astronomers, geographers, historians, philosophers, and artists who participated in the 16th century Czechia Renaissance. In the early 18th century, more Jews lived in Prague than anywhere else in world. Sadly, Empress Maria Theresa expelled the Jews from Prague from 1745 to 1748. The Jews returned to Prague and conditions improved during the reign of Emperor Joseph II (1780-90). From the 1830s to the 1870s, many Czechia Jews began to adopt the German language and assimilated German cultural patterns.


Following the 1870s, however, the growth of Czechia nationalism increased the level of antagonism felt by the Jews. In 1899, Zionism began to become popular in Prague among the young professionals and students. They formed their own Zionist organization, Bar Kochba.


The Jewish population was devastated during World War II when thousands were murdered by the Nazi invaders. After the invasion of Czechoslovakia by the Warsaw Pact armies in August 1968, a new wave of emigration started, about one-third of Czechia Jews left for Israel.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Today the Czechia government is one of Israel's closest allies. The current Jewish population in Czechia often intermarries with Czechs or they deny their Jewish ethnicity. A majority of Czechian Jewish survivors from WWII were reluctant to talk about their experience or to give a Jewish identity to their children. A good part of society considers all religion irrelevant. Some Czechia Jews converted to Christianity, primarily the Catholic Church. Many Czechia Jews attempted to migrate to Israel, the US and the UK. Intermarried and secularism, then and now, has taken over many of their lives.


Almost 90% Czech Jewish people live in Prague where they assimilate into the Czechia culture. However, there are Jewish schools, kosher restaurants and a Jewish museum. Czechia Jews attend the local schools and many work in professional jobs in fields such as business, education and medicine. A small number live in rural regions where they work in agriculture.


The Jews have a wonderful understanding of their connection with the Abrahamic covenant. However, they also have a history of rejecting Jesus Christ as Messiah, the one who has fulfilled that covenant.
What Are Their Beliefs?

The Orthodox, Liberal/Progressive, and Conservative streams are all active in the Czech Republic. These four branches of Judaism are found in traditional synagogues in Prague which includes the Old-New Synagogue, the High Synagogue, the Jerusalem (Jubilee) Synagogue, and the Spanish Synagogue. Israel has sent rabbis to Czechia to train Czechia Jews to be leaders and teachers of Judaism.


Only a small number of Czechia Jews are active in the traditions of Jewish teaching according to the Torah. Younger Czechia Jews have become secular and identify as agnostic. They consider the Jewish community too rigid, old and Orthodox.


What Are Their Needs?

Older Jewish Czechias are deeply concerned that they are losing their people and feel they need a revival to restore the people back to their Jewish heritage and faith. This presents Christians with an opportunity to reach out to the Czech Jews. There is a church-planting movement with a small number of believers, house churches and growing cell groups. Written, audio and visual resources, including a new version of the Bible in everyday Czech language, are now available.


Prayer Points

Pray that the Church will be a strong witness of our Lord and patiently reach out to the Czechia Jewish people.


Pray Czechia Jewish people will know how much God loves them as shown in the Old Testament and the fulfillment of His promises as given in the prophecies.


Pray the Messianic Czechia Christian movements will grow strong.


Scripture Prayers for the Jewish, Czech in Czechia.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Jewish, Czech-speaking
People Name in Country Jewish, Czech
Natural Name Czech Jewish
Pronunciation check joo
Alternate Names
Population this Country 3,900
Population all Countries 3,900
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 19231
ROP3 Code 115640
ROP25 Code 303368
ROP25 Name Jewish
Country Czechia
Region Europe, Eastern and Eurasia
Continent Europe
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country West: Bohemia, Moravia, Silesia   Source:  Ethnologue 2010
Country Czechia
Region Europe, Eastern and Eurasia
Continent Europe
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country West: Bohemia, Moravia, Silesia.   Source:  Ethnologue 2010
Map of Jewish, Czech in Czechia
Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Religion Subdivision: Judaism
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
85.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
15.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Czech (3,900 speakers)
Language Code ces   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Czech (3,900 speakers)
Language Code ces   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Czech

Primary Language:  Czech

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1902-1992)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1475-1992)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1380-2009)
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) Online
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Audio Recordings Online Audio Scripture Talking Bibles
Audio Recordings Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Czech Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video The Hope Video Mars Hill Media
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Four Spiritual Laws Campus Crusade for Christ
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Czech YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Czech YouVersion Bibles
Text / Printed Matter Bible Gateway scripture Bible Gateway
Text / Printed Matter Jesus Messiah comic book General / Other
Text / Printed Matter The Ancient Path Live Global
Photo Source (Representative photo)
Int'l Fellowship of Christians and Jews - Flickr  Creative Commons 
Map Source People Group location: World Jewish Congress, Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



Joshua Project logo    Joshua Project    Copyright © 2024