In the sheltering darkness of the long evenings, they were together in the cold and gloomy attic of a barrack, close under the roof. There they stood, pressed close to each other, to hear a talk about the Bible and the Talmud, about Plato, Aristotle, Maimonides, about Descartes and Spinoza, about Locke and Hume and Kant or about days and problems of history, about poetry and art and music, about Palestine of old and today, about the Commandments, the Prophets, and the Messianic idea. All those hours were hours in which a community arose out of the mass and the narrowness grew wide. They were hours of freedom. -Leo Baeck

Theresienstadt (Terezin), an 18th century fortress near Prague was converted by the Nazis into a transit point.

Jews were interned in Terezin sometimes for as long as two years before being sent to extermination camps. The prisoners were mainly professional people from Czechoslovakia, Germany, Austria, Holland and Denmark, many of them a part of the European cultural elite and included thousands of children.

Despite the miserable conditions and numerous deaths from starvation and diseases, hunger and other extreme conditions the prisoners clung to their cultural values - books, art, music, intellectual debate, humor and irony.

Europe's culture survives

Volumes have been written about the culture that survived in Theresienstadt. Hundreds of professionals and academics gave thousands of lectures on all imaginable cultural and scientific subjects. In the documents that survived the war, many of them explain the main motivation for this work - first, to prepare and educate the youth for the post-war life; and second - to revive their own professional self-esteem and replace the misery of physical existence with the richness of spiritual life.

Lectures substituted teaching that was forbidden by the Nazis. Delivered in scattered miserable attics and cellars, however cold or hot the weather, the lectures took the shape of full courses in history, philosophy, art, literature, medicine, science, Judaism and other fields. They attracted tens of thousands of young people and adults, hungry and exhausted after their day’s work - the triumph of human dignity and integrity in the face of death.

The inmates had to report to the Nazis all cultural activities that took place in the camp. Ironically, surviving reports proved a precious source to recover data for thousands of lectures - including their titles, time and locations.

• Some of the speakers were well-known before the war in their own right, for example, Dr. Leo Baeck, Chief Rabbi of Germany, Alfred Meissner, Minister of Masaryk Government in Czechoslovakia, and composer Viktor Ullmann.
• Others survived the Holocaust and found wider recognition afterwards, like psychologist Viktor Frankl, historian Miroslav Karny, writer Josef Bor (Bondy), and author Norbert Fried.
• The majority perished. Their careers stopped short, together with their lives; they were simply forgotten. They were such fascinating people as the Jewish philosopher Jehuda Palache, the psychologist Max Brahn, the art historian Max Bohm, the classical philologist Maximillian Adler, the psychologist Gertrude Boeml, the art collector Hugo Friedmann, the journalist Philipp Manes, and the semitologist Moizis Woskin.

The independent research group Elena Makarova Initiatives has undertaken to collect all dispersed information about Terezin lectures and lecturers stored in the archives and libraries of Europe, Israel and the US. The result of this work is a computer database with 520 names and 2430 lecture titles, supported by volumes of related documents and copies. As far as we know, it is the most comprehensive collection ever compiled.

The purpose of the Wiki on-line publication is to bring to the public’s attention the information collected. For more details on any particular person on our list, read http://www.makarovainit.com/first.htm - University over the Abyss or contact Elena Makarov, Sergei Makarov or Victor Kuperman. “ We have done our utmost to ensure that our research is accurate. However it may contain some errors. We would be grateful for any comments and additions to our list”.

Collaborators are welcomed

Your help is needed to add these profiles to Geni. Make sure you add the *link* in the ABOUT ME of each profile.

Add the profiles to the project as you create them on Geni.
Go to ACTIONS (top tight of the profile) click on the drop down menu ADD TO PROJECT and in the responsive box that appears, add the project name then DONE. If you have queries or require assistance contact Pam Karp.

The full list of Lecturers is found at http://www.makarovainit.com/list.htm - Terezin Lecturers and Teachers together with birth, deportation and death details and is a good source for research.

1. Adler Arthur Dr.
2. Adler Frantisek D.L.
3. Adler Gertrud M.D.
4. Adler Guenther Hans Dr. Phil.
5. Adler Maximilian Prof. Dr.
6. Adler Simon Dr. Rabbi
7. Alt Emmanuel Dr.
8. Alter Karl Dr.
9. Ancerl Karel
10. Apfelbaum Max eng.
11. Arnfeld Julius
12. Arnstein Karel Dr. Phil.
13. Aurednickova Anna Dr.
14. Bacher Walter Dr.
15. Bachrich Pavel M.D.
16. Baeck Leo Dr. Rabbi
17. Bamberger Hedwig (Hedda) Prof.
18. Bass Max M.D.
19. Baum Fritz (Bedrich)
20. Baumel Richard D.L.
21. Bauml Gertrude M.D.
22. Beer Arnost eng.
23. Bentschik Marcelle
24. Bergel Alfred Prof M.D.
25. Berger Hedwig
26. Berger Ludwig M.D.
27. Berman Karel
28. Bernstein Elsa
29. Birnstein Eduard Dr.
30. Bloch Kurt M.D.
31. Bloch Siegmund Dr.
32. Bloemendahl Alice
33. Blum Paul Dr. Phil.
34. Blumenfeld Gerhard D.L.
35. Blumenthal von, Ludwig Otto Prof. Dr.
36. Bock Philip Dr. Prof.
37. Boehm Max
38. Bohm Zdenek
39. Bondy (Bor) Josef D.L.
40. Bor Josef Ju Dr
41. Borsky Jiri
42. Brahn Max Prof. Dr.
43. Brammer Jan (Barnea Dov)
44. Brand Isidor Dr.
45. Friedericke Brandeis
46. Braun Vitezslav (Siegfried) eng.
47. Braunfeld Arthur M.D.
48. Breuer David M.D.
49. Breuer Karel eng.
50. Brock Manfred
51. Brod Otto
52. Brumlikova Zdenka
53. Buchsbaum Herbert eng.
54. Callmann Kurt D.L.
55. Carniol Josef Dr.
56. Caro Isidor Dr. Rabbi
57. Caro Klara Dr.
58. Castelin Karel (Carl) Dr.
59. Cohen Ludwig Dr.
60. Czech Otto Prof.
61. David Robert
62. Deiml Jiri
63. Deiner Elise Dr.Phil
64. Dicker-Brandeis Friedl
65. Dodalova Irena
66. Donat Alfred Dr.
67. Donath Jan (Hans) eng.
68. Donath Rudolf D.L.
69. Dormitzer (Dorn) Else
70. Dubsky Jaroslav
71. Edelstein Jakob
72. Eisenschimmel Walter Dr
73. Eisenstein Moritz
74. Eisinger Walter
75. Elbert Richard Dr
76. Elsner Adolf M.D.
77. Engelmann Walter Julius Dr.
78. Engelsmann Alfred eng. Auschwitz
79. Engelsmann Ervin
80. Englaender Arthur eng.
81. Englaender Otto
82. Englaender (Ruzena) Rosa
83. Eppstein Paul Dr.
84. Falkenberg (Ginsberg) Bertha
85. Fantl Rudolf
86. Feder Richard Rabbi Dr.
87. Federmann Jakob Prof. Dr.
88. Feigel Berthold D.L.
89. Fein Oskar
90. Feith Rudolf
91. Feldmann Erich Dr.
92. Feldmann Rudolf eng.
93. Felix Wilhelm M.D.
94. Ferda Robert Dr. Rabbiner
95. Feuer Antonin Dr.
96. Feuereisen Valtr M.D.
97. Fischer Erich M.D.
98. Fischer Ervin
99. Fischer Frantisek M.D.
100. Fischer Jan
101. Fischer Otto Dr.
102. Fischer Vilem Dr.
103. Fischerova Irma (Jarmila) Dr.
104. Fischerova Luisa
105. Flach (Flack) Michael
106. Fleischmann Karel M.D.
107. Fleischmann Karel D.L.
108. Fraenkel Guenter Gerson D.L.
109. Frankl Viktor Emil M.D
110. Freiberger Rudolf Dr. eng.
111. Freud Walter
112. Freudenfeld Rudolf (Bastik)
113. Freudenthal Ludwig A D.L.
114. Freund Berta
115. Freund Hermann Prof. Dr.
116. Fried (Fryd) Nora (Norbert)
117. Friediger Max (Moses) Dr. Rabbi
118. Friedlaender von, Hans (Johann Georg Franz Hugo) General-lieutenant
119. Friedmann Cecilie M.D.
120. Friedmann Desider D.L.
121. Friedmann Hugo
122. Friedmannova-Kohnova Marta Dr.
123. Fuchs Hella Dr.
124. Ganz Hugo (Ganza) M.D.
125. Gerron (Gerson) Kurt
126. Gerson Ernst eng.
127. Gerson Martin
128. Glaser Else M.D.
129. Glaser Oswald
130. Gluecksohn Julius
131. Goetz Oskar Dr.
132. Goldschmidt Arthur D.L.
133. Goldschmidt (Starke) Kaethe
134. Goldschmied Bedrich (Fritz) Dr.
135. Grabower Rolf (Rudolf) D.L.
136. Graus Bedrich
137. Graus Frantisek
138. Groag Emanuel
139. Groag (Fleischmann) Gertrud
140. Grotte Alfred Dr.
141. Gruenberger Edita
142. Gruenfeld Adolf D.L.
143. Guttmann Leopold
144. Haas Ernst (Arnost)
145. Habermann Vitezslav (Siegfried) M.D.
146. Hadda Siegmund M.D.
147. Haim Emil M.D.
148. Hajek Frantisek M.D.
149. Hamburger Adolph Cornelis Maria
150. Hamburger Georg Dr.
151. Hartmann Karel Dr.
152. Hatschek Kurt Adolf
153. Haymann Fritz
154. Heijmann Fritz Dr.
155. Heinburg Emil M.D.
156. Heller Frantisek Dr.
157. Heller Kurt Dr.
158. Hellmann Bedrich eng.
159. Henschel Moritz
160. Herrmann Otto (Ota)
161. Herrmann Philip M.D.
162. Herz Albert M.D.
163. Herzfeld Albert
164. Herzfeld Ernst Prof. M.D.
165. Herzog Arnold Prof. M.D.
166. Heum M.D.
167. Hirnheimer Jakov
168. Hirsch Alfred D.L.
169. Alfred Hirsch
170. Hirsch Hans eng.
171. Hirsch, von Karl Baron Dr. Phil.
172. Hirsch, von Rudolf Baron Dr. Phil.
173. Hirschberg Hans Walter D.L.
174. Hirschfeld Hans Prof. M.D.
175. Hirschfeld Willi
176. Hochstetter Gustav Prof. Dr.
177. Hoff (Holan) Emil
178. Hoffmann Camill
179. Hornung Leo
180. Hostovsky Hugo Dr.
181. Huber Rudolf eng.
182. Humberger Jaroslav
183. Huth Karl M.D.
184. Hutter Karel (Natan)
185. Illova Milena (Ludmila)
186. Jacobson Jacob Dr. Phil
187. Janowitz Friedrich (Fritz)
188. Janowitz Leo Dr.
189. Janowitz Viktor
190. Jelinek Zdenek
191. Jetter Leopold
192. Jochowitz Hanus (Jindrich, Honza)
193. Jonas Frieda Prof. Dr.
194. Jonas Regina Rabbiner
195. Jung Leopold Dr.
196. Kafka Georg
197. Kahn Franz Dr. Phil.
198. Kahn Olga
199. Kan Jiri eng.
200. Kantorowicz Ernst Prof. Dr.
201. Kapp Jindrich Dr.
202. Kappelmacher Albert D.L.
203. Kapper Kurt M.D.
204. Kaestenbaum Israel Prof. Dr.
205. Karny Miroslav
206. Karny Zdenek
207. Katz Leo M.D.
208. Kauders (Klima) (Vilem) Dr.
209. Kaufmann Hans Dr.
210. Kaufmann Hanus (Jenda)
211. Kavan Karel
212. Kisch Izak D.L.
213. Klaber (Kohn) Josef Captain
214. Klang Heinrich Prof. D.L.
215. Klapp Rudolf M.D.
216. Klaus Otto M.D.
217. Klausner Erich (Ervin) Prof. M.D.
218. Klein Camillo
219. Klein Franz Eugen
220. Klein Gideon
221. Klein Karel M.D.
222. Klein Kurt
223. Klein Ota
224. Klein Rudolf Dr.
225. Klein Rudolf M.D.
226. Klement Otto Ph. Mr.
227. Koenig Jiri M.D.
228. Knapp Rudolf
229. Knoche Gerhard Dagobert Dr.
230. Kohn A.Prof.
231. Kohn Antonin
232. Kohn Arthur Dr.
233. Kohn Gustav Dr.
234. Kohn Paul
235. Kolben Hanus Werner
236. Koralek Karel
237. Koerbel Gert Georg Jiri
238. Korper Miroslav
239. Korti Raoul
240. Kosek Josef Prof.
241. Kovanic Karel M.D.
242. Kozower Philipp
243. Kraemer von, Aurode Martin Baron Dr. Phil.
244. Kral Adalbert (Vojech) M.D.
245. Kral Hanus M.D.
246. Krasa Hans
247. Kraus Frantisek
248. Kraus Jindrich
249. Kraus Karl Dr.
250. Kraus Otokar (Otakar) Rabbi Dr.
251. Kuerschner Karel Mg.
252. Kussy Werner Dr.
253. Kvasnievski Zikmund (Kwasniewski Zigi)
254. Lang Erwin Dr.
255. Lanzer Fritz (Bedrich)
256. Lederer Karel
257. Lederer Leo Prof. Dr.
258. Lederer Richard eng.
259. Lederer Viktor
260. Leiner Richard
261. Lengsfeld (Lenek) Hugo
262. Lesna-Krausova Milada
263. Levi Ferdinand
264. Levy Prof. M.D.
265. Lieben Eugen Dr.
266. Lindenberger Kurt (Karel) M.D.
267. Loewenstein Leo Dr.
268. Loewy Louis (Julius) Prof.
269. Luitpold Josef
270. Lustig Max
271. Lustig Pavel
272. Magnus Julius D.L. Counsellor of Justice
273. Maier Frantisek (Franta)
274. Mandl Daniel eng.
275. Manes Phillip
276. Manheimer Max Eugen Manfred
277. Marmorstein Hugo eng
278. Marx Moritz M.D.
279. Mautner Hans Dr. Phil.
280. Mautner Wilhelm Dr.
281. Mayer Ernst M.D.
282. Mayer Ernst Karl D.L.
283. Meinhard Karl
284. Meisl Fritz (Bedrich), eng.
285. Meissner Alfred Dr. Jur
286. Meissner Emil Dr.
287. Meissner Leo
288. Menczer Aron
289. Merzbach-Kober Margarete Dr.
290. Messerschmidt Kurt D.L.
291. Metz Adolf M.D.
292. Meyer Heinz Rabbiner
293. Mueller Aron
294. Mueller Sidonie (Zdenka)
295. Muenzer Franz (Frantisek) Th. Univ.doz. M.D.
296. Munk Erich M.D.
297. Munk Karel eng.
298. Murmelstein Benjamin Dr. Rabbi
299. Narewczewitz Erich
300. Narewczewitz Erich
301. Neszcly Alfred Dr.
302. Neuberg Erich eng.
303. Neuburger Friedrich Alexander D.L.
304. Neuhaus Cilly
305. Neuhaus Leopold Rabbi Dr.
306. Neumann Alfred M.D.
307. Neumann Arno (Arnost, Ernst) M.D.
308. Neumann Ervin eng.
309. Neumann Walter
310. Noskowsky Felix
311. Nussbaum Rolf
312. Oesterreicher Ernst Dr. Phil.
313. Oplatek Berthold Dr.
314. Oppenheim Martin Dr.
315. Ordner Berthold
316. Ornstein (Rueff) Edith
317. Palache Jehuda Lion Prof. Dr
318. Peiser Ernst
319. Perlsee Franz (Frantisek)
320. Petzal Werner Dr.
321. Pfeiffer Robert M.D.
322. Philipp Karl Eugen Wolfgang
323. Philippson Alfred Prof. Dr.
324. Pick Erwin M.D.
325. Pick Hans (Hanus) Dr.
326. Pick Maria
327. Pick Robert M.D.
328. Pick Rudolf M.D.
329. Pickova-Saudkova Gisela
330. Placzek Thekla
331. Plato Hermann M.D.
332. Podvinec Arnost M.D.
333. Pokorny Karel M.D.
334. Polacek Karel
335. Polacek Melanie
336. Polak Frantisek
337. Polak Josef Dr.
338. Polak Richard M.D.
339. Pollack Walter (Valtr) M.D.
340. Pollak Arnost (Ernst) eng.
341. Pollak Friedrich
342. Pollak Josef Dr.
343. Pollak Josef D.L.
344. Pollak Leopold Dr.
345. Pollak (Moric) Moritz
346. Pollak Otto
347. Pollert Jindrich eng
348. Popper Egon Dr.
349. Popper (Furman) Erna
350. Popper Max Dr.
351. Porges Otto eng.
352. Posner Hans M.D.
353. Prager Bedrich
354. Prager Stephan (Friedrich) Dr. Phil.
355. Prager Vilem
356. Pribram Hugo Prof. Dr.
357. Quittner Oscar 29.09.1905
358. Raubitschek Walter
359. Redlich Egon (Gonda)
360. Reich Otto (Ota) D.L.
361. Reichenbaum (Rosh) Erich Dr.
362. Reicher - Oberleutnant
363. Reichmann/Rachman (Reisik) Rudolf (Jakob)
364. Reiner Karel Dr.
365. Reiser Arnost
366. Reiss Ernst (Arnost) M.D.
367. Reiss Josef M.D.
368. Reiss Siegmund
369. Revesz Pal (Dov)
370. Rischawa Hedwika M.D.
371. Robitschek Gerhardt
372. Romberger Heinz
373. Rosenberg Bruno Dr. Phil.
374. Rosenkranz Oskar Dr.
375. Rosenthal-Laubhardt Hilde
376. Rothgiesser Rudolf Ludwig Fritz eng
377. Ruzicka Otakar
378. Salomonski Martin Dr. Phil. Rabbi
379. Salus Fritz (Bedrich) M.D.
380. Salus Milos eng.
381. Saudek Rudolf Prof.
382. Schanzer Lola Dr. Phil.
383. Schapira David Dr.
384. Scheck (Shek) Zeev (Wilhelm)
385. Scheurenberg Klaus
386. Schleissner Felix Prof. M.D.
387. Schlesinger Eugen
388. Schliesser Karl
389. Schlosser Gerta
390. Schmitz Alfred
391. Schmolka Helena M.D.
392. Schmoller Georg Dr.
393. Schoen Albert Dr. Rabbi
394. Schoenbaum Karel D.L.
395. Schoenberg Arthur eng.
396. Schoenfeld Julius
397. Schoen (Shan) Vlasta (Nava)
398. Schor (Spiro) Barbara
399. Schorsch Gustav
400. Schreier Frantisek M.D.
401. Schulhof Roszi (Ruzena)
402. Schulmann Frantisek
403. Schwarz Emil eng.
404. Schwarz Felix M.D.
405. Schwarz Otmar Paul
406. Schwarzbard Isidor Dr.
407. Schwarzkopf (Solar) Gustav
408. Schwertfinger Aron
409. Seeligman Isac D.L.
410. Selten Fritz D.L.
411. [Semeck%C3%A1 Irma]
412. Sever Max eng
413. Siegmann Georg D.L.
414. Sigmund Gerich
415. Simon Erich Dr.
416. Simon James Dr.
417. Simonsohn Berthold Dr.
418. Singer Kurt M.D.
419. Singer Oscar (Otto) M.D.
420. Sittig Ota Prof. M.D.
421. Sobotka Oscar D.L.
422. Sochaczewer Ludwig
423. Sonnenberger Erna Dr.
424. Sonnenfeld Irma
425. Sonnenschein Leopold
426. Spanier Ben
427. Spanier Julius M.D.
428. Spies Gertrud (Gerty)
429. Spitz Maximilian M.D.
430. Stargardt Otto Friedrich D.L.
431. Stein Arthur Prof. Dr.
432. Stein Karel D.L.
433. Stein Richard M.D.
434. Stein-Bodansky Hildegarda
435. Steiner Hanna
436. Steiner Hanus Vily
437. Steiner Walter
438. Steinherz Samuel Prof. Dr.
439. Steinova Otilie M.D.
440. Sterk Wilhelm
441. Stern Erich Heinrich Dr.
442. Stern Walter M.D.
443. Sterzer Karl D.L.
444. Stettenheim Alfred Dr.
445. Stiassny Joseph (Pepek)
446. Strass Jiri
447. Strauss Hermann Privy Counsellor Prof. M.D.
448. Strauss Leopold (Leo) Dr.
449. Streim Siegfried Dr.
450. Stricker Robert Oberbaurat eng
451. Sucharipa Herbert (Alfred)
452. Sulc (Schulz) Bedrich
453. Sussmann Romuald
454. Szamek Fritz Dr.
455. Tarnowski Margot Clara
456. Taussig Frantisek M.D.
457. Taussig Jindrich
458. Taussig Josef (Pepek)
459. Taussig Maria
460. Teichner Samuel M.D.
461. Teilhaber Felix A. Prof.
462. Teller Karl Dr. Phil.
463. Terna Jan Frans Dr.
464. Thorn Karel D.L.
465. Tiederova Gertruda (Trude)
466. Treumann (Politzer) Louis (Leopold)
467. Tuma (Taussig) Mirko
468. Ullmann (Winternitz) Annie
469. Ullmann Viktor
470. Ungar Hermann Dr.
471. Unger Walter Dr.
472. Unger Zikmund Rabbi
473. Utitz Antonin
474. Utitz Emil Prof. Dr.
475. Vogel Erich eng.
476. Vohryzek Karel eng.
477. Vohryzek Lev (Leopold)
478. Vrba Karel
479. Waigner Karel
480. Wald Arnost D.L.
481. Waldstein Valerie
482. Wasserbrenner Klemens M.D.
483. Weidmann Frantisek Dr.
484. Weil Erwin Prof.
485. Weil Franz
486. Weil Isidor D.L.
487. Weil Oskar M.D.
488. Weil Rudolf
489. Weinberg von, Arthur Dr. Privy Councillor
490. Weinberger Franz Gerhard Dr.
491. Weinberger Johann D.L.
492. Weiner Kurt M.D.
493. Weinfeld Karl Prof. Dr.
494. Weiser Jadwiga (Hedy)
495. Weiss Franz (Frank) eng.
496. Weiss Lily
497. Weisskopf Leopold
498. Weissova (Klepetarova) Edita Prof.
499. Weisz (Weiss) Eugen (Jeno) Rabbi
500. Werner Albert M.D.
501. Wiener Max Dr.
502. Wilk Harry Prof. Dr.
503. Winter Arnost eng.
504. Winter Zdenek Dr
505. Witz Karel D.L.
506. Wolf Arnost Dr.
507. Wolff Siegfried D.L.
508. Wolff-Eisner Alfred Prof. M.D.
509. Woskin (Nahartabi) Mojzis Dr.
510. Wotzilka Gustav M.D.
511. Wurzel Jacques (Jacob, Yaakov)
512. Zeckendorf Leo Dr
513. Zelenka Frantisek
514. Ziegler Arnost eng.
515. Zucker Otto eng.
516. Zweig Hans M.D.
517. Zwicker Bruno Prof. Dr. Ph.

Credits:

The University Over the Abyss project has been since 1990 supported by:
Leo Baeck Institute, Jerusalem; Terezin Initiative Association, Prague; Simon Wiesenthal Center, LA; Rich Foundation, the USA; Academy of Science and Humanities, Israel; Memorial Foundation for Jewish Culture, USA; Felix Posen Foundation, Switzerland; Hanadiv Charitable Foundation, Britain; Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany, USA; William Gross, Israel; Pär Stenberg, Sweden; Prof. Edith Kramer, USA, and other donors.

The 2nd edition of the book has been reedited, corrected and extended by reactions and new inputs of the readers; a new chapter, The Laughter of the Helpless, has been written, about ingenious humor and satire of the prisoners. It was also redesigned which made reading easier lmak@sharat.co.il.