Tel. +43(1)535 04 31-500
E-Mail: office@jewish-welcome.at
| Welcome to Vienna | ||||||
|
NEWS ABOUT US SUPPORTERS INFORMATION & SERVICE PROJECTS |
It took Austria almost 50 years to admit its part and its complicity in the crime of National Socialism. Over 130,000 Austrian Jews were displaced during the National Socialist regime; over 65,000 were murdered during the Shoah. After the end of the war, the once blossoming Jewish community of Vienna had been reduced to just several hundred members. The current community was established primarily by "displaced persons" since very few of the Viennese Jews were able to or wished to return. Neither the federal government nor the Vienna city administration of the time were particularly interested in allowing the displaced Jews to return home. Against the backdrop of its historical and moral responsibility, the city of Vienna feels an obligation toward the great cultural heritage of Judaism as well as toward the mission of modern Vienna as an international meeting place. In accordance with this, the Jewish Welcome Service Vienna was founded in 1980 at the initiative of then Mayor Leopold Gratz and City Councillor Heinz Nittel together with Leon Zelman with the goal of documenting the existence of an active and self-confident Jewish community after the Shoah. The Jewish Welcome Service Vienna considers its main mission as one of international public relations for the Jewish culture in Austria. In keeping with Vienna's tradition of openness toward the world, bridges for the future should be built in order to dismantle prejudices and contribute to better mutual understanding. The Jewish Welcome Service Vienna and the city of Vienna are pleased to welcome you to Vienna. Dr. Michael Häupl Mayor and Governor City and State of Vienna President of the Jewish Welcome Service |
 Dr. Michael Häupl (Photo: Petra Spiola) |
||||