Czechia

JDC’s involvement today focuses on building the capacity of the community’s professionals, leaders and future activists, with training that strengthens local leadership and provides access to best-in-class ideas and peer-learning. JDC does this by involving Czech Jewish leaders in several pan-European programs, events and seminars. These include: Yesod Europe, which empowers Jewish community professionals and educators through professional development and Jewish learning opportunities; Leatid, which helps Jewish professionals connect and learn through management courses, planning sessions, and in-service training opportunities; Junction, which provides leadership training and micro-grants for programs led by young European Jewish adults; and Szarvas, the JDC-Lauder international Jewish summer camp in rural Hungary, which develops teen activists from across Europe. From these pan-European programs, teens, young adults and professionals return to their local Czech community infused with creative ideas, cutting-edge skills, a strong network, and a real sense of excitement and purpose.

When communism collapsed, JDC helped cultivate Czech Jewish life and serve the community’s most vulnerable members. Today, JDC is proud of the Czech Jewish community’s self-sufficient status. Given the community’s financial security, JDC has handed over all welfare programs, including a nursing home, to the community. JDC also successfully transitioned children’s initiatives and pluralistic Jewish programs to community ownership. The local Czech Jewish community now runs and supports them with JDC consultation and mentorship.

JDC continues to provide support for relevant and vital local initiatives, undertaken in cooperation with Czech Jewish organizations. These initiatives serve as a foundation for advancing Jewish renewal and upgrading community development on both local and national levels. For example, JDC helps finance the Three Generation Center, which brings together children, parents, and elderly members of the community to promote intergenerational communication and the development of Jewish traditions. JDC also continues to be a partner for Limmud conferences, children and youth programs, and activities at JCC Prague.

JDC’s involvement today focuses on building the capacity of the community’s professionals, leaders and future activists, with training that strengthens local leadership and provides access to best-in-class ideas and peer-learning. JDC does this by involving Czech Jewish leaders in several pan-European programs, events and seminars. These include: Yesod Europe, which empowers Jewish community professionals and educators through professional development and Jewish learning opportunities; Leatid, which helps Jewish professionals connect and learn through management courses, planning sessions, and in-service training opportunities; Junction, which provides leadership training and micro-grants for programs led by young European Jewish adults; and Szarvas, the JDC-Lauder international Jewish summer camp in rural Hungary, which develops teen activists from across Europe. From these pan-European programs, teens, young adults and professionals return to their local Czech community infused with creative ideas, cutting-edge skills, a strong network, and a real sense of excitement and purpose.