Czech Scrolls Committee, Nottingham

A committee dedicated to learning about and preserving the Jewish communities of Czech Republic.

Group of people posing outside a historic building with an arched wooden door and stone path.

About Us

Learn more about NLS

Explore the timeline below to learn how Nottingham Liberal Synagogue came to be involved with the Czech scrolls.

Neil Pike attends Czech Scroll conference in Northwood and research commences

1989
'Return To Austerlitz' article, written by Dr. Erich Strach, spotted in a London Shul magazine. Our relationship with the Strachs begins.

1990
The first 'Austerlitz Shabbat'

March 1991
High profile 'Austerlitz Shabbat' led by Rabbi Andrew Goldstein in the presence of the Sheriff and Lord Mayor.

1992
First Shul visit to celebrate the unveiling of a memorial stone in the Jewish cemetery. Attended by 25 NPJC members and people from all over the world. Attended by the Chief Rabbi of the CR and the Israeli Ambassador.

1994
Ruth Matiovska becomes a member of the NPJC and visits Nottingham for the 'Austerlitz Shabbat'. Service taken by Rabbi Thomas Salomon from Westminster.

1995
News that the Slavkov Shul will be restored!

1996
The Shul is completed including a small exhibition on the history of jews of Austerlitz.

1998
Second Shul visit attended by 30 members to see the official opening of the Shul. Many foreign visitors attending the presence of the Israeli Ambassador and Chief Rabbi.

1998
Ruth Matiovska's second visit to Nottingham as a guest of NPJC.

2000
Third NPJC visit to Czech Republic. Slavkov school essay competition starts.

2002
'Ruth's Story' written by Arabella Valesco performed at NPJC and at Beth Shalom.

2003
Fourth Shul trip and 'Ruth's Story' performed at the local school in front of Ruth Matiovska and her family.

2005
Hana Pike celebrates her Bat Mitzvah in the Shul. Opening of the old Jewish School Museum.

2005
Fifth NPJC trip.

2007
Sixth Shul trip attended by 25 young people.

2009
Dr. Erich Strach passed away in Liverpool aged 96. Former Austerlitzer and a driving force in keeping the memory of Austerlitz jews alive. Honorary member of NSL since 1992.

2011
Largest group so far of 36 people attend seventh Shul trip.

2012
Eighth Shul trip.

2015
Provenance of the NLS scroll is confirmed as being from Kamenice nad Lipou and not Austerlitz.

2017
Ruth Matiovska passed away in Slavkov aged 86. The last survivor of pre-war Austerlitz and honorary member of NLS.

2017
A second sefer Torah, this one from Austerlitz, is transferred from Leeds university to NLS. NLS now has 2 Czech memorial scrolls. Czech scroll service welcomes the second scroll.

2018
Research into the community of Kamenice nad Lipou begins.

2018
Ninth Shul trip to Slavkov and Kamenice nad Lipou.

2018
Czech scroll committee trip to Kamenice nad Lipou.

2019
30th Anniversary of the first Czech Scroll Shabbat.

2021

Yellow building with red roof, arched windows, and circular window above entrance, tall tree on right, sidewalk and street in foreground.

Czech Scrolls Committee, Nottingham

About Us

Neil Pike attends Czech Scroll conference in Northwood and research commences

'Return To Austerlitz' article, written by Dr. Erich Strach, spotted in a London Shul magazine. Our relationship with the Strachs begins.

The first 'Austerlitz Shabbat'

High profile 'Austerlitz Shabbat' led by Rabbi Andrew Goldstein in the presence of the Sheriff and Lord Mayor.

First Shul visit to celebrate the unveiling of a memorial stone in the Jewish cemetery. Attended by 25 NPJC members and people from all over the world. Attended by the Chief Rabbi of the CR and the Israeli Ambassador.

Ruth Matiovska becomes a member of the NPJC and visits Nottingham for the 'Austerlitz Shabbat'. Service taken by Rabbi Thomas Salomon from Westminster.

News that the Slavkov Shul will be restored!

The Shul is completed including a small exhibition on the history of jews of Austerlitz.

Second Shul visit attended by 30 members to see the official opening of the Shul. Many foreign visitors attending the presence of the Israeli Ambassador and Chief Rabbi.

Ruth Matiovska's second visit to Nottingham as a guest of NPJC.

Third NPJC visit to Czech Republic. Slavkov school essay competition starts.

'Ruth's Story' written by Arabella Valesco performed at NPJC and at Beth Shalom.

Fourth Shul trip and 'Ruth's Story' performed at the local school in front of Ruth Matiovska and her family.

Hana Pike celebrates her Bat Mitzvah in the Shul. Opening of the old Jewish School Museum.

Fifth NPJC trip.

Sixth Shul trip attended by 25 young people.

Dr. Erich Strach passed away in Liverpool aged 96. Former Austerlitzer and a driving force in keeping the memory of Austerlitz jews alive. Honorary member of NSL since 1992.

Largest group so far of 36 people attend seventh Shul trip.

Eighth Shul trip.

Provenance of the NLS scroll is confirmed as being from Kamenice nad Lipou and not Austerlitz.

Ruth Matiovska passed away in Slavkov aged 86. The last survivor of pre-war Austerlitz and honorary member of NLS.

A second sefer Torah, this one from Austerlitz, is transferred from Leeds university to NLS. NLS now has 2 Czech memorial scrolls. Czech scroll service welcomes the second scroll.

Research into the community of Kamenice nad Lipou begins.

Ninth Shul trip to Slavkov and Kamenice nad Lipou.

Czech scroll committee trip to Kamenice nad Lipou.

30th Anniversary of the first Czech Scroll Shabbat.

Synagogue in Kamenice nad Lipou

Synagogue in Slavkov

Nottingham Liberal Synagogue