On the symmetrical date of November 22, the annual Beneficiary Concert of the Foundation for Holocaust Victims (NFOH), organized in cooperation with the Association for the Úštěk Synagogue and Cemetery, took place in the main hall of the Jewish Community of Prague.
For the sixth consecutive year, friends and supporters of the Foundation gathered alongside representatives of organizations whose projects receive funding through NFOH grant programs. Once again, the concert lived up to its reputation as a warm evening filled with fine music and friendly gatherings. Ester Janečková served as host for the evening. In an unconventional opening, the event began with a performance by Vida Neuwirthová’s Feigele Theatre, which also served as a public dress rehearsal for their upcoming Hanukkah production. Feigele Theatre was invited not by chance, but as one of several hundred organizations supported by the NFOH this year. Following the children’s performance, the Jewish music ensemble Klezmerim took the stage, leading attendees in learning several traditional Jewish circle dances under the guidance of Soňa Tichá and Šimon Holý.
The second half of the evening featured the Romani band Bengas, who effortlessly got the remaining audience members onto the dance floor. During the concert, short addresses were delivered by Michal Borges, Chairman of the NFOH Board of Directors, and Marta Malá. Both reflected on their ancestors and friends whose lives were impacted by World War II. Finally, Honorary Chairman of the Board of Directors, Professor Felix Kolmer, spoke, emphasizing every individual’s obligation to actively work toward the prevention of racism and xenophobia.
The completely sold-out concert raised 33,356 CZK. The NFOH extends its sincere gratitude to all attendees, donors, and partners: Association for the Úštěk Synagogue and Cemetery, Conseq, the construction firm Hlaváček, the Federation of Jewish Communities in the Czech Republic, Baševi o.s., the Jewish Community of Prague, the Jewish Community of Olomouc, České vinařství Chrámce, Palírna Kleiner, King Solomon Restaurant, AST Kosher Food, mamacoffee, the Town of Loštice, and Respekt a Tolerance o.s.
