Kabbalat Shabbat with Beit Praha

Date: 6.3.2026, 18:30

As Friday light slowly fades and the city begins to soften its pace, the moment of Kabbalat Shabbat arrives - one of the most poetic rituals in Jewish tradition. It is not merely the start of Saturday, but a meeting: Shabbat is welcomed as a guest, as a Bride or a Queen, received with song, stillness, and attention.

On this evening, the small community of Beit Praha, which usually gathers at the Spanish Synagogue, will welcome Shabbat in the space of Beseder Gallery.

The service will be led by Anna Pilatova, cantor and one of the key figures of Beit Praha, currently serving as its president. She stood at the origins of the community, which for more than thirty years has brought together Russian-, English-, and Czech-speaking Jews in the Czech Republic. Her approach combines attentiveness to tradition with a contemporary, inclusive understanding of Judaism, fostering a space where everyone can feel at home, regardless of language, background, or level of religious practice.

The musical landscape of the evening draws from both Conservative and Orthodox traditions. This is participatory singing, without a division between leaders and listeners - everyone is invited to join. The service will follow a shortened format; prayer books will be available on site in Hebrew, Czech, English, and Russian.

A special guest of the evening is Marat Gelman, whose exhibition “Gelman - a Jew” opens at Beseder Gallery the day before. After the service, participants are invited to a shared dinner and a talk by Marat about “Jewish Happiness” - as both a personal reflection and a cultural inquiry.

Kabbalat Shabbat is not only prayer, but a state of being. The concerns of the week recede, everyday life gently closes its doors. Candles are lit, the scent of challah fills the air, wine is poured, and a rare sense of calm settles in. Shabbat has arrived. It is not rushed or used - one simply abides with it.

Practical information:
After the service: dinner and conversation.
Price: 300 CZK per person.
Registration is required: https://www.jccprague.cz/en/event-details/kabalat-sabat-beseder-gallery