Many of us agreed that Prague is one of the most beautiful cities we have ever seen. Our time in this enchanting city has been a whirlwind. 

We kicked off with a spiritual start as we prepared for Kabbalat Shabbat. We joined Shabbat services at the High Synagogue, as well as the majestic Jerusalem Synagogue, on Saturday as well. We were lucky enough to meet with Jerusalem Synagogue's rabbi, who happened to be a native Skokian!

Carly: As we arrived in Prague, we got ready for Friday night Shabbat services. We walked to a synagogue that was 500 years old. The rabbi in my service went to Anshe and grew up in the suburbs of Chicago. He explained to us some of the history of the synagogue. He then let us in the Friday night prayers which we sang along with other Jewish members who live in the area. It was very meaningful for me to connect with Shabbat in Prague, which is very far from Chicago, but to know that there are still Jews here given the history. We have survived in this place, even though we were meant to not be here.

On Saturday afternoon, we hit the streets for a walking tour of the Old City, soaking up the sights and sounds of ancient cobblestone alleys and picturesque squares. Our journey led us to the iconic Astronomical Clock and the breathtaking Klementinum Library, where we marveled at the beauty of Prague's architectural wonders.

On Sunday, we took a deeper dive into Prague's history as we explored the Jewish Quarter. We visited the Altneuschul, the oldest synagogue in Europe still in use, and paid our respects at the Jewish cemetery and the Holocaust Memorial in the Pinkas Synagogue. 

Sophie S: When we went to the Jewish Quarter, we started by doing a tour of the synagogues, starting from the oldest synagogue in Prague to the "old new" synagogue. Being in a synagogue that's over 700 years old helped us learn about history and influence over Jews. It amazed me how this building has stood through so much persecution. When we entered the synagogue, we saw photos of all of the Israeli hostages and it made me think about the awareness that the synagogue brings to how we still face so much. This synagogue still  has such importance that it is the 10th most visited place in Prague. 

Sophie A: Something special to me was going to the cemetery from the ghetto in the 1400s to the 1700s. There were 10,000 tombstones shown, but 40,000 bodies buried there due to the law against Jews during this time. This stood out to me because there were Cohen rabbis that had  very special tombstones there, and the rest of the people had much smaller stones and were buried in layers on top of each other. It was really well preserved.  Outside of the cemetery, there were shops with Jewish jewelry and souvenirs. I liked shopping here because I was able to buy stuff for my family. 

We spent some more time in Prague's Old Town Square for some well-deserved eats and shopping. From savory street food to quirky souvenirs, the square was a feast for our senses. After filling both shopping bags and bellies, we headed out on an afternoon of adventure on the Vltava River. Kayaking and paddleboarding offered a thrilling way to experience Prague and the amazing views from a new perspective. 

Sophie S: It was really fun to see the city from another angle. It was a bonding experience because we were able to be together in the middle of the Vltava river and just play. I got tipped into the water and it was really cold. 

We capped off our time here with a classical music concert in the stunning Spanish Synagogue. It was pretty spectacular to experience such talent in such a beautiful, golden space. In Prague, we have had moments of quiet reflection as well as excitement. Our time here has been a perfect blend of history, culture and fun. Tomorrow, we head to Germany! Until next time…

P.S. Happy Mothers Day! :)