Background information
The Czech Republic has a dominant Christian tradition, yet as explained in the International Religious Freedom Report for 2013, a census estimated that only about 21 percent of the population holds religious beliefs. Of this group, 11 percent of the population is Roman Catholic, 7 percent lists no specific religion and 3 percent adheres to a variety of religious beliefs, including Protestantism, Judaism, Islam, and Buddhism. Around 35 percent of Czechs in the census identified as non-religious and another 45 percent of people did not respond to this question.
Upon request, NYU Prague can help students connect to local religious communities. At the same time students can arrange worship space and meditation rooms in the NYU premises when needed. NYU Prague student life staff and the Global Equity Fellow can support, fund or organize any religious holidays for students if requested.
Jewish communities
Different Jewish communities gather around several synagogues in the centre of Prague. Each synagogue offer services on different days of the week. Nevertheless, the life of the Jewish community does not end with the services alone. Follow the different links and discover the richness of the social life of the Czech Jewish Community.
- Old-New Synagogue /Staronová synagoga/ Address: Červená 2, 110 00 Praha 1 Contact: www.kehilaprag.cz/en, rabinat@kehilaprag.cz Services: Friday 7.30pm & Saturday 9.00am More info: This synagogue follows the orthodox tradition, the services are in Hebrew language. Contact the synagogue for more information on the weekly schedule. Student membership possible.
- Jerusalem Synagogue /Jeruzalémská synagoga/ Address: Jeruzalémská 7, Praha 1 Contact: www.kehilaprag.cz/en, rabinat@kehilaprag.cz Services: Saturday 8.50am
- The Masorti Prague Address: Maislova 18, Praha 1 Contact: www.masortiprague.cz, info@masortiprague.cz Services: Friday 7.00pm More info: Services are in Hebrew language. Translation of the prayers into English and Czech is available.
- The Chabad of Prague Address: U Milosrdných 6, Praha 1 Contact: www.chabadprague.cz, chabadprague@gmail.com Services: Every day, 3 times a day More info: Every Friday night, the centre hosts a dinner for students.
You may also be interested in getting in touch with the Czech Union of Jewish Students /Česká unie židovské mládeže/.
Another option to connect with local Jewish community is through Prague´s Moishe House, where you can celebrate Jewish holidays and meet other members of the Jewish community. They also do film screenings and other cultural or educational events. Contact: maria.kos@moishehouse.org or moishehouseprague@gmail.com.
| Kosher cuisine:
Cheaper, simple kosher food: Chain Mamacoffee Addresses: Jaromirova (Praha 2), Vodickova (Praha 1), Londynska (Praha 2), Jiriho z Podebrad (Praha 3), Kavarna pod Lipami (Praha 7) https://mamacoffee.cz/nase-kavarny/
Chabad Grill /meat restaurant/ Address: U Milosrdných 6, Praha 1 www.chabadprague.cz
Chabad´s Shelanu Pizza /dairy restaurant/ Address: Břehová 8, Praha 1 www.shelanu.cz
Dinitz Kosher Restaurant Address: Bílkova 12, Praha 1 www.dinitz.cz
New kosher restaurants in Prague: U Milo U Milo is Chalav Yisrael, Pat Yisrael, kosher vegetarian restaurant in Prague, under the strict supervision of Chabad. Dishes of Italian tradition are served with scents and flavors of Mediterranean cuisine, combining Western and Eastern tastes. The menu is varied to satisfy all palates; from salads and pastas, to fish-based dishes and a variety of delicious pizzas. Address: U Milosrdnych 4, Praha 1
Mizlala Hybernska 26, Praha 1 www.mizlala.cz
|
Christian communities
- International Baptist Church Prague Address: Vinohradská 68, Praha 3 Contact: www.ibcp.cz Services: Sunday 11.00am & 12.30pm More info: Besides the Sunday service, small bible study groups meet during the week as well. The church hosts many international students studying in Prague.
- Faith Community Church Address: Václavkova 1, Praha 6 (former train station building) Contact: www.faithcommunity.cz Services: Sunday 4.00pm & 6.00pm More info: An evangelical fellowship where you can meet quite a few Americans. Sunday services sometimes accompanied by a dinner together in the church building.
- English-speaking United Methodist Church of Prague (ESUMC Prague) Address: 28. Pluku 15, Praha 10 Contact: Facebook ESUMC Prague (their web side www.esumcprague.org currently unavailable Services: Sunday 4.00pm St. Thomas Church Address: Krčské vodárny 36, 140 00 Praha 4 Contact: www.augustiniani.cz/en, osaprag@augustiniani.cz Services: Sunday 11.00am, Saturday 6.00pm, More info: The only English-speaking roman-catholic church in Prague. You may enjoy in their colorful community life.
Muslim communities
The Muslim community in Prague is rather small and mostly formed by foreigners coming to live in Prague. But it is a vibrant and open community where you will easily feel welcomed. Most of the activities of the Muslim community are shielded by the Islamic Foundation in Prague. You can find various Halal food shops around Prague.
- Islamic Foundation in Prague Address: Blatská 1491, Praha 9 Contact: www.praha.muslim.cz, praha@muslim.cz Mosque Address: Blatská 1491, Praha 9 Contact: www.praha.muslim.cz, praha@muslim.cz More info: The only mosque in Prague. Little bit further from the city centre.
- Prayer room in the centre of Prague (under the Islamic Foundation in Prague) Address: Opletalovala 28, Praha 1 (entrance through the passage of the Halal restaurant) Contact: www.praha.muslim.cz, praha@muslim.cz Services: Service is every Friday 2.00pm. The prayer room is open daily, hosting all 5 prayers including the morning prayer. More info: The prayers and services are in Arabic and Czech language. Prayer rooms for woman and man. This centre serves as an information centre as well.
- Halal grocery store: Farah Food, Myslíkova 5
Please feel free to contact NYU student life staff if you need help connecting with any community in Prague. Many of NYU Prague staff members (including the faculty) have some personal connections with various communities and are happy to help you feel more at home in this country.