Yvonne Penkavova
Activist for Jewish History and Heritage
Co-founder of Jewish Prague Tours
Director of Tour Programs at Batel Tours
Co-founder of Jewish Prague Tours
Director of Tour Programs at Batel Tours
Yvonne Penkavova
Historian, Influencer
Yvonne is a young academic and historian dedicated to the popularization of Czech Jewish history. A graduate in Hebrew Studies from the Department of Middle Eastern Studies, she is currently completing her Master’s degree in Political Science at Charles University in Prague. Her academic research focuses on the 19th-century urban renewal of Prague, during which the Town Hall, under the guise of hygiene and modernity, demolished the majority of historic Jewish sites in the former Jewish Quarter. She is currently the only historian in the Czech Republic specializing in this topic.
As the co-founder of Jewish Prague Tours and the right hand of historian Pavel Batel, Yvonne plays a central role in curating and mentoring a new generation of guides — young historians passionate about meaningful, research-based education.
Outside of academia, Yvonne actively uses social media to engage younger audiences, fostering a deeper connection to Jewish heritage and advocating for broader recognition of Jewish history in the Czech Republic.
As the co-founder of Jewish Prague Tours and the right hand of historian Pavel Batel, Yvonne plays a central role in curating and mentoring a new generation of guides — young historians passionate about meaningful, research-based education.
Outside of academia, Yvonne actively uses social media to engage younger audiences, fostering a deeper connection to Jewish heritage and advocating for broader recognition of Jewish history in the Czech Republic.
From passionate student to respected educator
Activities: Jewish History, Czech Heritage, Research, Team Building
Yvonne's journey with Pavel Batel's team began as an undergraduate with a strong passion for Jewish history. She started guiding tours in the Jewish Quarter and quickly became a popular and highly regarded guide. When the pandemic hit, Yvonne took a creative approach by launching a social media project aimed at bringing Jewish history to a wider audience. She focused on showcasing Czech Jewish heritage, particularly the parts preserved in the countryside, offering insights into a lesser-known aspect of Jewish history.
This project expanded her reach, allowing her to engage with people from all over and share her expertise.
Her work and research caught the attention of many, and Yvonne was invited to lecture in Europe, Israel and USA, where she shared her knowledge with diverse audiences eager to learn more about Jewish history.
Today, Yvonne leads personal guided tours of Jewish Prague, providing a unique and engaging experience that brings history to life. Her dedication goes beyond teaching about the past—she works to build bridges between generations and cultures, helping others connect the historical dots to the present day.
As Pavel Batel's right hand, Yvonne now plays a key role in organizing academic lectures, overseeing the team, and mentoring new members, ensuring that the knowledge and passion she embodies continue to thrive within the organization.
Her work and research caught the attention of many, and Yvonne was invited to lecture in Europe, Israel and USA, where she shared her knowledge with diverse audiences eager to learn more about Jewish history.
Today, Yvonne leads personal guided tours of Jewish Prague, providing a unique and engaging experience that brings history to life. Her dedication goes beyond teaching about the past—she works to build bridges between generations and cultures, helping others connect the historical dots to the present day.
As Pavel Batel's right hand, Yvonne now plays a key role in organizing academic lectures, overseeing the team, and mentoring new members, ensuring that the knowledge and passion she embodies continue to thrive within the organization.
Yvonne's activities
- Lecture about the abandoned Jewish heritage of the Czech republic at the Centre of Judaism in Paris organized by the European Jewish Association.
- Speech about her research and the danger of antisemitism at the EU delegation to Auschwitz - Birkenau.
- Israel J. Yuval, Director of Historical Department at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem on a tour of the Jewish Quarter with Yvonne.
- In Israel during an interview with the son of Gideon Hausner, the prosecutor of Adolf Eichman. His book justice in Jerusalem is documenting his father's legacy.
- Research of abandoned Jewish heritage in countryside is important part of Yvonne's work.
- Yvonne held a presentation about Terezin ghetto research at the Museum of Jewish Heritage in New York in January 2019.
- Grave stone of August Stein, leading personality in Czech-assimilation Jewish movement in late 19th century.
- Rudy Rochman, a well known Jewish rights activist from Israel on a tour of the Jewish Quarter with Yvonne.
- With Rabbi Meir Lau, the formal chief rabbi of Israel in Krakow during a delegation of EU dignetories to Auschwitz.
- Visiting the Czech senate to talk about mandatory Holocaust education and the necessity of Jewish history inclusion in the general narrative of Czech history.
- With Czech survivor Hana who published a book "Hanna's journey'. Yvonne had a lecture for children in primary school to prepare the for a visit by Holocaust survivors.
- Yvonne was invited to the Ministery of Foreign Affair in Jerusalem for an educational excursion and panel with diplomats.
Volyně synagogue - Disco Caribic
Preserving Jewish Heritage: A Responsibility for Today’s Generation
"During the years of the communist regime, Jewish history was largely forgotten by the Czech public. Many synagogues were abandoned, repurposed for other uses, or even demolished. Now, 80 years after the Holocaust, the wider public is beginning to have the opportunity to rediscover and learn about Jewish history and heritage in the Czech lands. My goal is to raise awareness of the Jewish presence in these regions and ensure that Jewish sites are respected and preserved. It is our responsibility, as a generation, to safeguard what remains." – Yvonne
INSTAGRAM @Yvonne_Prague
You can find Yvonne's Instagram page about Jewish history here.
Jewish Prague Tours
by Pavel Batel's team
Tours & Travel Agency Services
00 420 608 931 093
office@jewish-prague-tours.com
by Pavel Batel's team
Tours & Travel Agency Services
00 420 608 931 093
office@jewish-prague-tours.com
