New Czech Government Approves Major Celebration of Jewish Millennium

The new Czech Government has reversed the policy of the former Prague regime with respect to the official celebration of the 1,000th anniversary of the Jewish community in Czechoslovakia. The event, scheduled to take place this spring, was virtually cancelled in the aftermath of last June’s Arab-Israel war. But it has now been rescheduled for June 5-8, 1969, and will be greatly expanded in scope. The new plans were announced at a press conference here today by Karel Masek, North American director of Cedok, the Czechoslovakian travel bureau. The new arrangements, he said, will re-open the celebrations to Jews from abroad. He said they were formulated by the Jewish community in Prague which expects to receive formal approval shortly from the Ministry of Culture, which it has asked for financial support.

Czechoslovakian authorities had originally planned an elaborate celebration of the Jewish Millennium for which funds were authorized. Following the Arab-Israel war and the severance of diplomatic relations with Israel, the funds were withdrawn and the Czech Government denied that it had ever intended to sponsor the event. Cedok, nevertheless announced a program of tours last fall in connection with the celebration. Contacted by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency at the time, a travel bureau spokesman said the event would take place but that Mr. Masek was going to Prague for “clarification.” It was obvious, however, that official endorsement was being withheld. Under the circumstances the Jewish community decided to organize a small celebration.

A new official attitude toward the Jewish community was further evidenced by an exhibition on the contribution of Czech Jews to the culture of Prague and of all Europe which opened at the Jewish State Museum in Prague last week with official blessings. Mr. Masek described the exhibit as offering “the richest assemblage of Jewish religious artifacts in existence.”