Jewish life flourishes in Vienna, despite rising concerns
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In Vienna, Austria, the Jewish community is growing, with around 12,000 Jewish people currently living in the city, though this number peaked at 200,000 before 1938.
Miriam Brownstone and Noah Scheer both find deep meaning in attending services at the Stadttempel, Vienna’s main synagogue, which recently reopened after a ten-and-a-half-month restoration. The synagogue holds historical importance as the only one to avoid complete destruction during the Nazi era.
The community welcomes newcomers from Israel, Eastern Europe, Central Asia, the Caucasus, America, and other European regions, supported by a network of around 20 active synagogues and a robust infrastructure including schools, kindergartens, and kosher restaurants. However, the October 7th attacks in Israel have led to increased anxieties and a return to concealing Jewish symbols in public, as antisemitism in Austria reached a high of 1532 reported incidents in 2023.
Despite these concerns, many within the community, like Rabbi Jacob Biderman, resist becoming less visible and emphasize the importance of openly practicing their faith. The IKG, Vienna’s Israelite Cultural Community, reports a surge in applications for Jewish schools, driven both by a desire for religious education and by parents seeking refuge from antisemitic harassment.
Oberrabbiner Jaron Engelmayer will leave Vienna for Israel in the fall, but anticipates a continued vibrant Jewish presence in the city, bolstered by community resilience and public support for renovations like the Stadttempel’s.
