Treasures of Jewish Culture in Holesov | SDA 26-200 | 2026-07-14 - 2026-07-26 | RENO,SOCI,FEST | Age: 18 - 99

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.

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: namFXRichtra190Holešov76901Czechia

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.

Airport: VIE

Train/Bus station: Train station: Holešov, 49.3270150N, 17.5708981E

Requirements: Due to limited resources of INEX-SDA, we kindly ask participants to contribute 30 EUR towards the costs of general incoming administration of our workcamps. The fee needs to be sent to us by a bank transfer latest one month before the workcamp starts. Please note that this fee does not directly contribute to the workcamp budgets. Cancellation policy: The fee is non-refundable. In case of cancellation due to force majeure (for example injury, rejected visa etc.), we will ask for proof and solve it on an individual basis. Local partner welcomes participants with hearing impairements, deafness and mild mental illness such as depression and autism. Participants must bring a towel and proper work shoes, as regular sneakers are not sufficient. Suitable work clothing for outdoor activities is required. A cap or hat and sunscreen are recommended for strong sun, as well as a raincoat for rainy weather. Work gloves will be provided by the host organisation. Also, bring your sleeping bag and pillow.

The journey will last approximately 4h and will need from4 to 5 changes. We will provide more details in the specific infosheet.

Language: eng

Extra Fee: 30 EUR

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.