The Magic of Prague

Cultural Attaché Robert Řehák will present a series of lectures on The Magic of Prague: Life and Legends of Jews in the Heart of Europe at the Shaare Tefila Congregation on May 6, 13, and 20, from 7 pm -8:30 pm.

Through legends, humor, and film excerpts, the lectures will reveal Prague’s mysticism, delving into a thousand-year history of coexistence among Czechs, Jews, and Germans. The legends, like the story of the “Golem” by Maharal and the secret desires of Emperor Rudolf the II, give unique insight and uncover important messages for the ages. The lecture will also feature Franz Kafka’s lesser known works, touching upon the crucial questions of human society’s existence and the connections to the Kabbalah.

Location: Shaare Tefila Congregation
16620 Georgia Ave, Olney, MD 20832

Admission is free. RSVP not required.

Dr. Robert Řehák is Cultural Attaché at the Czech Embassy in Washington,  DC, and a published scholar of biblical proper names and the Dead Sea  Scrolls. He is proficient in five languages (Czech, English, Hebrew,  German and Russian). He studied at Charles University in Prague,  Ruprecht-Karls-Universität in Heidelberg and Hebrew University in  Jerusalem. He holds M.A. and Doctorate degrees from Charles University and has lectured at New York University in Prague. He was President of  the Society of Christians and Jews in the Czech Republic from 2000-2005  and thereafter served as Cultural and Press Attaché at the Czech Embassy  in Israel. In recent years, he lectured about the history and legends  of Czechs and Jews in New York, Washington, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh,  Charlottesville, Michigan, and other cities in Israel and Europe. He is married and has four children.