Our carefully selected and trusted team



Pavel Batel
Founder of Terezin Private Tours, Co-founder of Jewish Prague Tours
Pavel Batel is a renowned author, documentarist, and researcher who has conducted research in archives worldwide, collected rare survivor testimonies suppressed during the Communist era, and recorded over thirty interviews with Holocaust survivors and witnesses across eight countries. His work, which includes novels and historical fiction based on these testimonies, ensures these stories reach a wider audience.
Pavel has lectured at institutions such as the Holocaust Museum of Los Angeles and has trained guides for organizations including Yad Vashem, the Sydney Holocaust Museum, and the Museum of Jewish Heritage in New York. His insights and research have been featured in international and local media, including I24 News, the BBC, and academic publications. Through his mentorship, Pavel has cultivated a team of historians who provide an authentic understanding of Terezín’s history, helping to preserve the voices of its survivors and witnesses for future generations.
Yvonne Penkavova
Co-Founder of Jewish Prague Tours
Yvonne, a graduate in Hebrew Studies from the Department of Middle Eastern Studies, is currently pursuing a Master's in Political Science at Charles University. Her academic focus includes modern Jewish history and the evolving Jewish identity within the Czech lands prior to World War II, as well as the demolition of Prague's Jewish Quarter at the end of the 19th century. She actively educates and speaks at institutions across Europe and Israel, including the Centre du Judaïsme in Paris and the Museum of Jewish Heritage in New York. She has participated in conferences alongside EU and USA dignitaries and her insights have been featured in publications such as The Jerusalem Post and The Wall Street Journal. In addition to her scholarly contributions, Yvonne plays a key role in shaping our social media and online presence, using her expertise to highlight the rich Jewish history and heritage and draw attention to its historical significance.

Anna Bendova
Educator at Jewish Prague Tours
Anna is a history teacher, journalist, and lecturer who specializes in religion, traditions and history of Prague's Jewish Quarter. She also educates schools through the Jewish Museum of Prague, offering insightful programs that engage students of various ages with Jewish culture and history.
In addition to her work in education, Anna plays an active role in shaping Jewish life in Prague through her involvement in youth organizations. Her professional journey includes an internship at the Czech House in Jerusalem and organizing cultural activities during her residency at Moishe House. Through her diverse contributions, Anna supports the preservation and growth of Jewish heritage in Prague.

Anthony
Educator at Jewish Prague Tours
Antony Roos is a researcher, translator, and journalist with expertise in Jewish history and Middle Eastern studies. He earned his degree in Jewish Studies from Charles University in Prague and further specialized in the Modern History of the Middle East at Ben Gurion University in Israel. His commentary on Jewish and Israeli affairs has been featured on CNN, where he gained prominence for his insightful coverage of the recent Amsterdam riots.
Since joining our team in 2021, Antony has contributed significantly to advancing our research efforts. His professional experience also includes serving as a tour guide and translator across Israel and Jordan.
Antony’s research focuses on the history of the Jewish community in Prague, the Terezín ghetto during the Shoah, and the Jewish diaspora in Northern Europe, reflecting his commitment to preserving and disseminating Jewish heritage through scholarly inquiry and public engagement.

Julie Mauthauser
Educator at Jewish Prague Tours
Julie is a student at Charles University, where she is pursuing a degree in Jewish History and Hebrew. She has also studied Jewish Studies at the Hochschule für Jüdische Studien in Heidelberg, Germany. Julie’s academic interests are broad, including Jewish-Muslim relations, antisemitism, and synagogical liturgy, with a particular specialization in medieval Jewish liturgy.
A regular contributor of scholarly reviews, Julie focuses on works related to translations of medieval chronicles and the study of Liberal Judaism. She is deeply committed to advancing the understanding of Prague’s Jewish Quarter, drawing on her extensive knowledge to provide nuanced insights into its historical, cultural, and religious significance.

Michaela
Educator at Jewish Prague Tours
Michala, one of the longest-serving team members and a trusted colleague of Pavel Batel, is an accomplished guide with expertise in Jewish history, Prague’s cultural landmarks, and the Czech countryside. A native of Prague, she holds a degree in Tourism, with her thesis focusing on promoting Holocaust education through increased tourism to Terezín.
Passionate about Czech history, Michala specializes in the Second World War, the Holocaust, and the communist era in Czechoslovakia. Her personal interactions with survivors and witnesses from these times have enabled her to document their stories, adding a deeply personal and unique perspective to her tours. Her dedication to her craft, profound knowledge, and love for her city make her tours both insightful and memorable.

Katrin
Educator at Jewish Prague Tours
Katrin, born and raised in Prague, holds a degree in Aesthetics from the Faculty of Philosophy at Charles University, where she cultivated a deep understanding of art and culture. Her academic pursuits are complemented by her extensive knowledge of Italian culture, developed through time spent in Italy engaging in volunteer work, olive harvesting, and travel, which also enabled her to achieve fluency in Italian.
Her interest in antiques, inspired by visits to flea markets, led her to complete a two-year certification in antique studies. Katrin’s intellectual pursuits extend to history, literature, and art, and she is also proficient in practical crafts such as sewing. Beginning her career as a guide at the Klementinum (National Library), she has since dedicated herself to interpreting Prague’s rich history and cultural heritage, drawing on her interdisciplinary background to provide insightful and engaging experiences for visitors.

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