On World Refugee Day – June 20, 2023 – the Council of Jewish Women of the Czech Republic and the Prague Jewish Community hosted 20 Ukrainian refugees for an elegant tea party. They invited members of the local Jewish community and other Jewish non-profit organizations in Prague, including the Foundation for Holocaust Victims, Ezra Seniors Care, the Federation of Jewish Communities of the Czech Republic, and Lauder Schools.

After the refreshments, Alice Vesela, Chair of ICJW’s Europe Region, spoke about ICJW. The Ukrainian women were very interested and there was a lively discussion between the participants. The Ukrainian women performed songs and poems as a thank-you for the organizers.

Click here to watch a video of their performance:

The event was co-organized by Irena Němcová, a social worker in the Prague Jewish community, who has been involved in supporting refugees from the Ukraine for the past 16 months. Her mission is to help the most vulnerable Jews lead dignified, meaningful lives. Since the Ukraine crisis began, she has helped secure crucial assistance for Jewish refugees. She says: “Social work doesn’t just help refugees live a more dignified life, it integrates them into our community, strengthening Jewish life as a whole. 

You can read more about Irena Němcová and the work of the Prague Jewish Community and the JDC in this article: This World Refugee Day, Building a Jewish Home in Central Europe | JDC