Dining hall of the Jewish canteen on Zámocká Street

Built in 1937 as a Kosher canteen, this building played an important role in preserving Jewish life in Bratislava. The canteen was an important meeting place for young Jewish people in the late 1960s; Professor Pavel Traubner hosted regular meetings of the “Jewish Forum” here in the 1990s. After 1968, when the last Slovak rabbi, Elias Katz, emigrated to Israel, it remained the only Kosher venue thanks to the supervision of Mrs. Edita Katzová. She was the widow of Izidor Katz, a shochet (ritual slaughterer) from Galanta, who served as the highest Jewish religious authority in the country in 1968-1977. In May 1984, the young Anglo-Jewish photographer Judy Goldhill accompanied the delegation of the Central British Fund (CBF) for World Jewish Relief to Czechoslovakia. She recollects: “Our visit to Bratislava was a definite highlight. The sense of community, camaraderie and care that emanated from the community kitchens was palpable. Aware that I was witnessing the end of an era, the sadness was somewhat dispelled by the vitality and energy of Mrs. Katzová and her helpers, whose generosity and enthusiasm kept the community alive, both physically and literally, creating a warm, and inviting place to visit, socialize and have precious contact.” [MB]

Photo: Judy Goldhill, Bratislava, 1984
Height: 26 cm, width: 38.5 cm
ŽM-D 1628 A-42