Then
we met Jindra Bromova at the Cemetery, who guided us and opened the Synagogue
for us. She explained us the difficult, slow, challenging and wonderful project
of recovery that she is leading in the Synagogue.
There was no doubt in my mind that Jindra is very special and her fight
is for a very worthy cause. She deserves all the help.[Ckyne's Synagogue below]
Achab, Lourdes, Chubbie and I got into the Car, drove in the direction of our
final destination of Straz, and to visit the Jewish Cemetery where Achab was to
help us to check for Dubsky(s) family members. We were to drive trough Trebon,
Ceske Budejovice , Straz and Jidrchuv Hradec.
Achab had a copy of current map and guided us through all the towns. All
different sizes and yet all beautiful . Ceske Budejovice was the largest of
them, in fact, it was a full scale city with difficult traffic and all. It was
full of large old buildings. It is home of the famous beer Budweis known for its
sweeter taste. Jindrchuv is a magnificent and beautiful medieval city with old
pavestone streets. The river runs through the middle of the town. The river
reflects like a mirror their treasured buildings, and castle.
We arrived in Straz Jewish Cemetery just off the side of the road in a wooden
area. The cemetery was well taken care but locked up. We jumped the walls and
Chubbie stayed quite upset ouside. He did not like to be left out one bit. He
tried all his tricks: barking, crying, trying to get over the wall, from above,
or below…. to no avail.
We found a large group of Dubsky(s) in Straz: Julius, Hermine, Abraham, Herman
Dubsky(s) have been buried there among other members of the Dubsky, Lowy, Fantl
families.
Time to get back. Drove back and Achab and Chubbie stayed in Ceske Budejovice to
take the next train to Prague. We drove back to Vimperk. It was a nice and
relaxing drive back to our based Hotel.
[Alex
Woodle sent me a copy of the chapter on Vimperk in Hugo Gold's Book. Alois and
Ignatz Fantes are mentioned as members of the local Jewish
Day 5
I
woke up early before sunrise as usual. As I was looking out the window:
everything was white. It wasn’t a dream. It was snowing heavily at the end of
March!. I remembered the last snowstorm I lived in 1988 in Atlanta. The city
shot down for a week. As we had breakfast and seeing everybody driving
comfortable through a partial white road with a landscape that was heavily
covered with clean white fresh snow, reminders that Vimperg is a ski town.
Well, no problem. We ski as well, although water skiing is what is big in Key
Biscayne. Driving back to Prague?. No problem either, for a couple of
Venezuelans living is South Florida. Drive slowly and enjoy the ride we said.
Enjoy we did.
We had the opportunity to visit Ckyne again but now in white dress.
[Below, entering Ckyne]
Magnificent.
I could see clearer the Fantes living in this mountainous Village as many Jews
had to live then. We just were blessed to see how Ckyne lives in two different
seasons. In this case, it was only two seasons in two days.
Pictures of the town again: Joseph’s house, cemetery, and town in white. We
then drove to Prague. Meals,
meetings and resting for the rest of the day (it was heavily raining outside).
Back to Top
