On the second-to-last Tuesday of November, the annual Beneficiary Concert of the Foundation for Holocaust Victims (NFOH), organized in cooperation with the Association for the Úštěk Synagogue and Cemetery, was held at the ROXY club in Prague.
This year’s benefit was the fifth in a row, remaining true to its fine tradition of friendly gatherings, vibrant music, energetic dancing, and warm hospitality. The evening was hosted by Ester Janečková, who first introduced Dominika and Jiří Hošek to the stage. They performed Joachim Stutschewsky’s ‘Jewish Song for Cello and Piano’ along with several Jewish melodies for two cellos arranged by Jiří Hošek. The subsequent program featured the Pressburger Klezmer Band with their unmistakable rendition of traditional Jewish songs, followed by Iby & Chipsy Empire presenting a fusion of Romani music.
In addition to the music and dancing, attendees enjoyed coffee tastings, unique homemade open-faced sandwiches, and fine kosher wine provided by partner organizations mamacoffee, Polévkárna, and České vinařství Chrámce. Lucky raffle winners took home prizes including homemade spirits, kosher food packages, Fair Trade coffee, CDs of the performing bands, and DVDs of the ‘Forgotten Transports’ documentary series.
During the evening, Marta Malá, Executive Director of the NFOH, and Michal Borges, Chairman of the Board of Directors, briefly outlined the purpose of the concert and the mission of the Foundation. Marta Malá expressed her gratitude to all concert attendees and partners, reminding the audience that the proceeds would traditionally support the Remembrance, Future, Care, and Restoration programs managed by the NFOH. Michal Borges emphasized that a major responsibility of today’s Jewish community members and partners is to strive toward a future where organizations like the NFOH are no longer needed in society.
A total of 38,368 CZK was raised during this year’s concert. The NFOH extends its sincere thanks to all partners and donors: Association for the Úštěk Synagogue and Cemetery, Conseq, AST Kosher Food, the Embassy of the State of Israel, Radio 1, the Federation of Jewish Communities in the Czech Republic, and all attendees for their support of NFOH programs. We look forward to meeting again at future events or through joint projects.
