Transmission of Collective Memory nad Jewish Identity in Postwar Jewish Generations through War Souvenirs

in International 26th annual CIDOC - ICOM Conference in 2018 (2019)

My contribution includes a sample of testimonies containing the life stories of Jews born in the aftermath of World War II in two countries (Czechoslovakia and Luxembourg). At that time, Czechoslovakian ... [more ▼]

My contribution includes a sample of testimonies containing the life stories of Jews born in the aftermath of World War II in two countries (Czechoslovakia and Luxembourg). At that time, Czechoslovakian Jews were living through the era of de-Stalinisation, and their narratives offer new insights into this segment of Jewish postwar history that differ from those of Jews living in liberal democratic European states. Based on personal documents, photos, letters and souvenirs, the conducted interviews highlight an interesting way of maintaining personal memories in Jewish families and how this varies from one generation to the next. In my contribution, I am planning to illustrate the importance of these small artefacts for the transmission of Jewish collective memory. My presentation showcases people widely referred to as the “second and third Jewish generation”, their attitude to current notions of Jewish memory and self-perception and their role in society. Some had to live under totalitarian oppression, others had to face a wave of Jewish Sephardic immigrants coming from overseas – and witnesses admit that the arrival of these newcomers often caused difficulties in Jewish communities. Small objects from the war, often displayed in their households, serve as a reminder of their roots and destiny, which should not be forgotten. This paper is a part of my broader research project examining distinctions and similarities in identity formation through generations of Czech, Slovak, French and Luxembourgish Jews, who grew up either under communism or in liberal Western Europe. The aim is to create an international virtual library and cloud storage, not only for professional educators but also for the public. [less ▲]

Mezinárodní události očima lucemburských a československých židovských pamětníků

Scientific Conference (2018, June)

The contribution is part of the dissertation entitled Cultural and Educational Activities of the Jewish Minority in Czechoslovakia and Luxembourg after World War II. Interviews completed the survey among ... [more ▼]

The contribution is part of the dissertation entitled Cultural and Educational Activities of the Jewish Minority in Czechoslovakia and Luxembourg after World War II. Interviews completed the survey among the members of the 2nd and 3rd Jewish post-war generations and the reflection of archival research. The study aims to point out different perceptions of international events (Judicial Process with Adolf Eichmann, Six-Day War, Operation Entebbe, Olympic Games in Munich 1972, etc.) within the differently influenced Jewish communities. Besides the comparative analysis of the answers, the attitudes of the narrators are confronted with the official attitudes and reactions of the then leading political leaders, both in Czechoslovakia and Luxembourg. In addition, the memoirs will include memories of the main representatives of the Jewish communities, both in Czechoslovakia and in Luxembourg. The selected individuals described vividly their cultural activity and work. The study itself is being developed within the Cotutelle bilateral program at the Université du Luxembourg and the Charles University. The dissertation is headed by Professor Denis Scuto and Dr. Petr Koura. [less ▲]

Presentation of the Luxembourg Centre for Contemporary and Digital History – C2DH Doctoral Training Unit

Scientific Conference (2017, November 27)