Moving, unexpected, and emotional tour of the Old Jewish Cemetery at Pinkas Synagogue in Praque. Now a Holocaust museum, the synagogue hasn't been used for services since World War II and the Nazi occupation. Imagine a completely white synagogue; light colored stone flooring, linen walls and ceilings with warm wooden beams providing symmetry and structure to the space. From the floor to the ceiling, in black and red, inscribe the names of 80,000 victims murdered in Prague during the Holocaust, and part of the systematic genocide of some six million Jews across German-occupied Europe.
‘Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security. I will bring Judah and Israel back from captivity and will rebuild them as they were before. Jeremiah 33:6-7
In the upper chamber is a haunting exhibition of drawings created by children from WWII. Crayon images depicting life in the ghettos and camps, experiencing their life through these drawings. Leaving the synagogue, through a small courtyard and enter the cemetery. The Old Jewish Cemetery pre-dates the synagogue; the oldest grave is from 1429 and the cemetery closed in 1787. For over 300 years, it was illegal for the Jews in Prague to be buried anywhere else. Given the cemetery's small size, earth was brought, creating layers and disturbing the other graves. Then the headstone moved to the top layer. There are about 12,000 stones in this cemetery, but an estimated 100,000 burials. There are as many as 12 layers of graves.
And it came to pass, after he had buried him, that he spake to his sons, saying, When I am dead, then bury me in the sepulchre wherein the man of God is buried; lay my bones beside his bones. 1 Kings 13:31
The cemetery has many prominent Jewish scholars and religious leaders. Stones are piled upon and stacked next to one another. Throughout them, you can see a series of interesting markings, such as the Blessed Hands, Star of David, Horse and Lion of Judah.
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