Treasures of Jewish Culture in Holesov

CODE: SDA 26-200

Work:

The work takes place mainly at the Jewish cemetery in Holešov and partly at the synagogue in Šachov. Volunteers will help with landscaping and regular cemetery maintenance, including grave care, cleaning paths, weeding, removing overgrown vegetation, raking grass, and general upkeep. Volunteers will also assist with technical preparations for the Festival of Jewish Culture, such as moving, setting up, and dismantling event equipment at different locations in town. The work can be moderately physically demanding and takes place in all weather conditions; in case of severe rain, tasks may move indoors. Tools and protective equipment are provided. The workplace is about a 5-minute walk from the accommodation (about 400 m).

Accomodation and food

Volunteers will stay in simple shared accommodation in two rooms and will sleep on beds using their own sleeping bag and pillow. The accommodation includes access to a washing machine, refrigerator, and kitchenette, but Wi-Fi is not available. Sanitary facilities are shared and consist of two toilets and two showers. Volunteers will prepare their own breakfast, lunch, and dinner throughout the workcamp from provided ingredients.

Location and leisure

The workcamp takes place in Holešov, a Moravian town known for its historic Jewish community and a rare 16th-century synagogue. Work activities are mainly carried out at the Jewish cemetery, an important site of pilgrimage and cultural heritage. The town also offers a Baroque castle with gardens, a parish church, a swimming pool, and a preserved historic centre. An ATM is within walking distance, mobile phone reception is available, and a pharmacy is nearby.

Volunteers can take trips to the surrounding region and visit important cultural and historical sites, including the UNESCO-listed monuments in Kroměříž, the pilgrimage site of Svatý Hostýn, the open-air folk architecture museum in Rymice, and the open-air museum and cultural area in Rožnov pod Radhoštěm.

Project hosted by

The workcamp is organised in cooperation with the Jewish community in Brno and the Holešov Municipal Cultural Center, which manages Jewish monuments in Holešov and organises the annual Festival of Jewish Culture. The main goal of the workcamp is to improve the condition of the Jewish cemetery through practical maintenance and care, while also supporting the organisation of the Festival of Jewish Culture. Volunteers will gain insight into Jewish history, local traditions, and contemporary cultural life, combining hands-on heritage preservation with intercultural exchange. The workcamp contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, by protecting cultural heritage, and SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, by supporting remembrance, tolerance, and respect for cultural diversity.

Directions to meeting point

The journey will last approximately 4h30 and will need from 5 to 6 changes.
We will provide more details in the specific infosheet.

Additional comments

Study part: Volunteers will take part in the cultural programme of the Festival of Jewish Culture, including concerts, dance performances, and other events. They will receive explanations of the Jewish monuments they work on, learning about their historical and cultural significance. The programme also includes an introduction to basic Jewish traditions such as Shabbat and kosher practices, as well as guided tours of local cultural and historical sites, helping volunteers connect practical work with deeper understanding of Jewish heritage in Holešov.