Jewish Slovakia
Unique musical storytelling family tour to the Jewish heritage of Slovakia
This unique musical storytelling family tour has been specially designed for families with children and teenagers.
We will explore the vanished Jewish heritage of Slovakia accompanied by two well-known musicians, who enrich the local stories with klezmer, nigunim (traditional Hasidic melodies) and other music. Like the famous musician and actor Johnny Depp ones said: 'Music touches us emotionally, where words alone can't.' Through continuing musical storytelling at the sites to be visited we will touch the hearts of the participants and turn this expedition into an unforgettable experience.
Jews have lived in the Slovakian region since the 11th century. In the 14th century nearly 800 Jews resided in Bratislava. The majority of Jews engaged in commerce and money lending. Two notorious blood libels occurred in Slovakia; in 1494, Jews were burned at the stake in Trnava, and in 1529, 30 Jews were accused of wrongdoings and burnt at the stake in Pezinok. After the battle of Mohács in 1526, Jews were expelled from all major towns in Slovakia.
During the late 17th century and early 18th century, Jews began to return to their original cities in Slovakia, and established well defined communities. Jews were in constant conflict with locals and barred from many trade industries. The first Jewish cemetery in Slovakia was set aside in the early 15th century in Tisinec (the cemetery was utilized until 1892). Under the rule of Joseph II, Jews received many civil liberties and many more livelihoods were open to the Jews.
In 1683, hundreds of Moravian Jews fled to Slovakia seeking refuge from the Kurucz riots and the living restrictions of Moravia. In 1700, the leading yeshiva in Slovakia was established in Bratislava. This institution was recognized by the government for the education of rabbis.