The 6-MINUTE CHALLENGE #17

Come to learn and laugh!

Join us for our signature popular program since 2014, when artists, professionals, scholars and scientists of Czech or Slovak descent are challenged to introduce their talent, the subject of their work, project, research, or studies in a short presentation limited to six minutes. In English.

The 17th edition will include the following presenters:

Alan Bartus (jazz pianist and composer), Ivana Brezinska (Slovak Children Library USA), Nicolas Dostal (Regional Planner at Metro COG), Tomas Kohl (Colladeo Software and tango instructor), Martin Plavec, MD (cardiologist at Yale New Haven Hospital), Maxim Visnovsky (MA student SIPA Columbia University), Ester Wiesnerova (jazz singer and composer), Misha Zabranska (digital animation and virtual reality)

Moderated by Christopher Harwood, PhD.

Free and open to the public. Suggested donation $10. Seats are limited, on a first-come first-served basis.
RSVP online through Eventbrite.

Come learn and laugh!
Organized by the Czechoslovak Society of Arts and Sciences (SVU), New York Chapter with the support of BBLA.

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The previous editions of the 6-Minute Challenge are accessible on our SVU NY YOUTUBE Channel.

HER2 : The Diagnosed, The Caregiver and Their Son

Photography book presentation by the authors Anna and Jordan Rathkopf

A special guest Magdalena Lombardi Plasilova, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Clinical Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, will discuss the intersection of art and science, focusing on patient experiences, early detection, and survivorship.

Wednesday, OCTOBER 2, 2024, at 7 pm
Bohemian National Hall
321 E 73 Str, NYC

VIDEO RECORDING

poster

Join us for an intimate evening with Anna and Jordan Rathkopf, a married, award-winning photography duo whose deeply personal story has been featured on CNN, Good Morning America, and honored by the International Photographic Council at the United Nations. Their upcoming book, HER2: The Diagnosed, The Caregiver, and Their Son is a powerful visual journey that explores how they used photography to open up conversations about the emotional and physical challenges they faced together and alone while navigating cancer as a family.

After Anna, a Czech immigrant living in New York for the past 18 years, was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer at age 37, she and Jordan turned their cameras inward. Their dual perspectives, through self-portraits and images of their family, became a way to talk about their grief, fears, and resilience, providing a means to confront the illness together. These photographs not only document the individual and shared struggles but also reveal moments of unexpected joy, hope, and connection as they redefined the experience of surviving cancer while raising their young son.

The Rathkopfs’ work has received international recognition. Beyond their own story, they have dedicated their careers to amplifying the voices of others facing health challenges, advocating for health equity, and pushing for a more inclusive representation of illness in media. Jordan recently founded the Patient Caregiver Artist Coalition to further this mission.

Anna Rathkopf – Raised in Prague and shaped by the city’s historic architecture, Anna learned the art of light and composition from her uncle, Pavel Hecko, a renowned Eastern European photographer. As an immigrant, her experience in New York has taught her the importance of curiosity, empathy, and community support, all of which were reinforced by her cancer diagnosis in 2016. The act of capturing her own healing and family through photography became a profound form of communication during their hardest moments.

Jordan Rathkopf—Born and raised in Brooklyn, Jordan’s background in marketing, PR, and experimental music composition informs his storytelling approach to photography. His work emphasizes structure while remaining open to unexpected moments that capture the essence of human experience. Jordan is also the founder of the Patient Caregiver Artist Coalition, advocating for more authentic and inclusive representations of illness in visual storytelling.

Magdalena Lombardi Plasilova, MD, PhD, A native of the Czech Republic, earned her medical degree from Charles University in Prague, followed five years later by a doctorate in stem cell physiology and pathophysiology. She completed research fellowships at Cleveland Clinic’s Taussig Cancer Center and at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, and a breast surgery fellowship at Yale New Haven Health’s Smilow Cancer Hospital in Connecticut. She is currently an Associate Professor of Clinical Surgery at Weill Cornell Medical College, New York-Presbyterian Hospital. Dr. Plasilova brings over 20 years of experience in research and treatment and is known for her compassionate approach to oncology, especially in addressing the needs of younger patients and supporting survivors in their long-term recovery.

Published by Daylight Books, HER2 is available for online purchase HERE:
A limited number of copies will be available for purchase at the event.

Organized by the Czechoslovak Society of Arts and Sciences (SVU) in New York with the support of the Bohemian Benevolent and Literary Association (BBLA).

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LEAVING TO REMAIN

A feature documentary film screening

VIDEO RECORDING: INTRODUCTION by PETRA GELBART, PhD, MS, and Q&A
Support Romani students in the Czech Republic

Thursday, September 5, 2024, at 7 pm
Bohemian National Hall
321 E 73 St, NYC

The film Leaving to Remain is available online from RUTH FILMS.

Mira Erdevicki’s documentary follows the lives of three Czech-Slovak young Roma, Petr, Denisa, and Ond?ej, who are children of the first generation of immigrants to the United Kingdom in the 1990s due to racial and social discrimination. The film also follows the three visiting their native countries with mixed emotions. The multi-layered, intimate documentary contains scenes shot by the protagonists on their mobile phones. It provides a closer look at Roma culture and society and insight into their lives in the UK, Czech Republic, and Slovakia. It also presents the challenges the protagonists faced due to Brexit and COVID-19.

Mira Erdevicki is a Serbian documentary film director and writer who graduated from the School of Journalism in Belgrade and Prague’s Film Academy (FAMU) in 1993. She directed several films with the Roma subject.

PETRA GELBART, PhD, MS, Czech-Romani, is an ethnomusicologist, musician, singer, music therapist and activist. She earned her Ph.D. in musicology/ethnomusicology at Harvard University and is the vice-chair of the Czechoslovak Romani Union. Petra uses her research and voice to educate about Romani culture and advocate for Romani rights. She has been working with children from Czech state care for part of each year since 2004.

Support Romani students in the Czech Republic

Poster

Czech Republic, Slovakia, UK, 2022 | 91 min.
Language: Czech, English with English Subtitles

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A Brief Foray into the Alchemy of Stem Cell Research

HYNEKThursday, APRIL 18, 2024 at 7 pm
Bohemian National Hall in NYC

A talk by Dr. Hynek Wichterle, Columbia University Medical Center

Join us for a fascinating journey into Professor Hynek Wichterle’s stem cell research at Columbia University Medical Center. He developed groundbreaking methods for producing spinal cord neurons from pluripotent embryonic stem cells in a culture dish. The goal of his work is to unlock the mysteries of brain development and discover new treatments that promote motor neuron survival in patients affected by ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease. Fun fact: Hynek Wichterle is a proud grandson of Otto Wichterle, the Czech scientist who invented hydrogels and soft contact lenses.

HYNEK WICHTERLE is a professor holding a joint appointment in the Departments of Pathology & Cell Biology and Neuroscience (in Neurology) at Columbia University Medical Center. He received his M.S. degree from Charles University in Prague and his Ph.D. from Rockefeller University. He trained at Columbia University, where he was appointed assistant professor in 2004 and a Jerry and Emily Spiegel professor in 2021. He serves as a co-director of the Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease and as a Vice-Chief of the Division of Regenerative Medicine in the Department of Rehabilitation & Regenerative Medicine.

VIDEO RECORDING

Photo Paul Ort, Painting of Otto Wichterle Hana Shannon

Czech and Slovak Studies Workshop Keynote Address

Friday, April 20 at 5:30pm
Bohemian National Hall
321 E 73 St, 3rd Fl
New York City

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Prof. Michael Beckerman, New York University, will deliver the keynote address “My Little Czech Fakebook” for the 2018 Czech and Slovak Studies Workshop.

Since the year 2000, the Czech (and Slovak) Studies Workshop has brought together scholars from the United States and abroad to explore Czech- and Slovak-themed topics from such diverse fields as anthropology, architecture and art history, economics, education, film, geography, history, Jewish studies, literature, music, philosophy, politics, religion, sociology, and theater.
In cooperation with the Harriman Institute and East Central European Center at Columbia University. www.czechslovakhistory.org/

Contact: Christopher Harwood, cwh4 at columbia.edu
Slavic Department – Columbia University
708 Hamilton Hall – MC 2839
1130 Amsterdam Ave
New York, NY 10026

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The Melting Pot of Eastern Slovakia: Slovaks and Rusyns

A presentation by John Righetti
In cooperation with Carpatho-Rusyn Society New York Chapter

Saturday, May 19th
at 5:00 PM
RSVP: newyork@svu2000.org

For centuries, Slovaks and Carpatho-Rusyns have lived alongside one another in the Central Carpathians, causing many to not be able to clearly define these groups
culturally. What do they have in common –and what makes them culturally distinct?
Enjoy a fascinating journey into the two ethnic group’s history, language, food, dance and their identities.

John Righetti is the national president of the Carpatho-Rusyn Society, North America’s largest Rusyn cultural organization.  He has studied Carpatho-Rusyn history and culture extensively in both the United States and Europe and has served in numerous leadership roles in the international Carpatho-Rusyn community, including recently as North American representative to the World Council of Rusyns.

CHECK OUT THE PHOTOS

ON THE EDGE OF THE COLD WAR

Monday, May 7, 2012 at 7:00 PM

American Diplomats and Spies in Postwar Prague:
Was the 1948 Communist Takeover Inevitable?

A lecture by Professor Igor Lukes, PhD.

In cooperation with the Consulate General of the Czech Republic in New York.

Professor Lukes will explore the communist conquest of Czechoslovakia from the perspective of American diplomats and intelligence officers who served in the U.S. Embassy from the spring of 1945 to 1949, as presented in his latest book On the Edge of the Cold War: American Diplomats and Spies in Postwar Prague, just published by Oxford University Press. The book will be available for purchase at the event.

Dr. Igor Lukes teaches history and international relations at Boston University.  He has written about Europe between the world wars, the Cold War, intelligence, and contemporary developments in East Central Europe and Russia.  His publications include Rudolf Slansky: His Trial and Trials and Czechoslovakia, Between Stalin and Hitler: The Diplomacy of Edvard Benes in the 1930s. Lukes is also a frequent political commentator on Radio Prague and Czech Television.

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Latest News from the Pyramids: Czech research in Abusir

Monday, April 30, 2012 at 6:30 PM

A slide lecture by Prof. Miroslav Bárta, PhD.

In cooperation with the Czech Consulate NY

Abusir is one of the most important archaeological sites in Egypt. The Czech Institute of Egyptology worked here for more than 50 years. It contains royal tombs from the 5th dynasty (Old Kingdom), mastabas (tombs) of high officials, as well as shaft tombs from the Saite-Persian period.

Prof. Barta teaches at the Institute of Egyptology at Charles University in Prague. He led the first satellite mapping of the pyramid fields of Abusir, Saqqara and Dahshur in 2002. In the years 2003-2004, he taught at University of Pennsylvania, and since 2010 he is the head of the Czech Archaeological concession at Abusir.

CHECK OUT THE PHOTOS

MEDICINE OF THE ANCIENT EGYPTIANS

Wednesday, March 28, 2012 at 6:30 PM

A slide lecture by Prof. Eugen Strouhal, PhD, DrSc.

In cooperation with the Czech Consulate in New York

This lecture explored the beginnings of scientific medicine in ancient Egyptian civilization. Thirteen ancient medical papyri recorded the level of the empiric knowledge of anatomy, patho-physiology and therapy. Prof. Strouhal presented the amazingly advanced surgical practices in ancient Egypt while the internal medicine and gynecology still relied mostly on religious rituals and remedies of plant, animal and mineral origin.

Prof. Strouhal is a leading expert on Egyptian medicine. He has degrees in medicine, archaeology and anthropology. He worked for 24 years at the Náprstek Museum in Prague and taught anthropology at West Bohemian University in Pilsen. He lectures paleo-pathology and history of medicine at Charles University Medical School in Prague.

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PRAGUE LOST and FOUND (Opening)

Sat, Dec 3 at 6PM

Download the InvitationPhotographs of Prague from 1932-1965 by renowned photographer Jan Lukas, and by his daughter Helena Lukas Martemucci from 1993-2011. Photos from Martemucci’s series Art, Citizenship, Healing, taken during her Fulbright Scholarship in 1998-1999, will also be presented. Exhibition open Dec 3 – 23, 2011
at the Bohemian National Hall

Followed by a Fullbright Alumni concert at 7:30 PM.

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SVU Recommends: GOLEM. A play by Vít Hořejš

Nov 17 – Dec 4, 2011

Czechoslovak American Marionette Theater at La MaMa Theater, 66 East Fourth Street (Ellen Stewart Theater), NYC

Century-old and contemporary life-size wooden Czech marionettes interact with puppeteers, klezmer musicians and dancers.

Special Benefit Performance and Reception was held on November 18, 2011, under the Auspices of Ambassador Petr Gandalovič and Consul General Eliška Žigová.

CHECK OUT THE PHOTOS

Recreating the GOLEM: From Prague to the Simpsons

Tuesday, November 8 at 7PM
A slide lecture by Mark Podwal on how succeeding generations have recreated the golem legend to suit the times. The lecture will touch on the first mention of golems in Biblical and Talmudic sources, the origins of Prague’s golem legend, the transformed image of the Prague golem from servant to protector in the early 20th century, and numerous depictions of golems in book illustration, fine art, and film, including the Simpsons TV episode You Gotta Know When to Golem.

Mark Podwal is the author and illustrator of numerous books. Most of these works – Podwal’s own as well as those he has illustrated for others – typically focus on Jewish legend, history and tradition. Podwal illustrated Elie Wiesel’s retelling of the Golem legend, as well as his own children’s book “Golem: A Giant Made of Mud.” He is currently designing new embroidered textiles for Prague’s Altneuschul.

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Czech Archeological Discoveries in Egypt

Wednesday, November 2, 2011 at 7PM
A slide lecture by Sylva Pavlasová, Czech Egyptologist and Consul of the Czech Republic

Sylva Pavlasová studied Egyptology and Prehistoric and Early Historic Archaeology at Charles University in Prague. As a curator of the Egyptology Department of the Náprstek Ethnic History Museum in Prague, she produced several exhibitions on Ancient Egypt, including a special exhibition for the blind which was also shown in Slovakia, Egypt, Australia and the United States. She served as cultural attaché in Egypt (1999- 2003), deputy chief of mission and chargé d´affaires at the Czech Embassy in Lebanon (2003-2006), a specialist at Middle East Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affaires in Prague (2006-2009).

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CISARUV PEKAR, PEKARUV CISAR

Saturday, October 29 at 3PM
(The Emperor and The Golem),1951. Directed by Martin Fric
In two parts, with refreshments served at the intermission. Czech with English subtitles.

A film comedy based on the Prague Golem legend about a man-made clay “robot” that almost toppled the Prague court of Rudolph II in the late 16th century. The beloved Czech actor and writer Jan Werich, an icon of the Czech intellectual humor, stars in the double title roles of Emperor Rudolf II and his imperial baker Matthew. The two men decide to switch identities to search for Golem, and have a wonderful time indulging in their respective new lifestyles. Costume design by famed Czech animator Jiri­ Trnka.

Fun for the whole family! (recommended for children 7 and older)
Come in your Halloween costume, ideally period dress from the time of Rudolf II.
Intro by Chris Harwood (Columbia University). Organized in cooperation with the Czech Center.

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Director MARTIN FRIC Read More …

How Did Cities Evolve?

an illustrated lecture by SVU member

Edward A. Toran

THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2011 @ 6:30 PM

6th Floor, Mid-Manhattan Library,
40th Street and 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10016

Edward Toran’s illustrated presentation points out the many intertwined influences where changes in production, business dealings, technology, warfare, communication and information could lead from minor inventions to major changes in urban landscapes. In all these obervations, recognizing present life procedures helps to clarify historic events; and knowing history always can help to understand future developments.