A new national strategy now aims to significantly bolster Austrian Jewish life and tackle persistent antisemitism across the nation. State Secretary Alexander Pröll recently hosted a Rosh Hashanah reception at the Federal Chancellery. This traditional event marked the Jewish New Year 5787, gathering key representatives and high-ranking guests.
Attendees included leaders from the Jewish community, along with figures from politics, religion, diplomacy, and civil society. The reception underlined a shared commitment to a pluralistic society. Here, Jewish life should be not only protected but also actively encouraged and lived out openly.
“Rosh Hashanah symbolizes a new beginning, optimism, and looking ahead,” State Secretary Pröll stated in his opening remarks. He extended warm wishes to all Jews in Austria for a happy, peaceful, and sweet New Year. Pröll emphasized that Jewish life is an integral part of Austria’s fabric. Therefore, people must feel safe, visible, and confident in practicing their traditions here. The state, he added, bears a clear responsibility for this, a duty upheld daily.
Oskar Deutsch, President of the Jewish Community of Vienna (IKG), acknowledged current challenges. Nevertheless, he highlighted a major milestone for the year 5787. The 200-year-old Vienna City Temple on Seitenstettengasse has reopened following extensive renovation. This restoration received equal funding from the federal government, the City of Vienna, and private donations. Deutsch expressed gratitude for this vital support, stressing the project’s deep symbolic meaning.
Moreover, the IKG president used the occasion to deliver a caution. Rosh Hashanah invites society to repentance, he noted. When Israel faces demonization, it directly affects daily life in Austria for Jewish citizens. This impact can be felt in schools, on streets, online, and near Jewish institutions. Deutsch also urged political parties to honestly confront their own histories. Repentance, he argued, begins with sincere self-reflection, not with defaming the Jewish community.
Authorities also referenced the updated “National Strategy Against Antisemitism 2.0.” This comprehensive package contains 49 specific initiatives slated for implementation by 2030. The strategy encompasses preventive education, robust protection for institutions, and targeted measures against hate speech. Furthermore, it addresses online antisemitism effectively.
State Secretary Pröll concluded by stressing that mere protection is insufficient. “Our goal extends beyond safeguarding Jewish life from antisemitism,” he affirmed. Austria seeks an environment where Jews can freely practice their religion, culture, and traditions as a matter of course. This reception, therefore, signifies a commitment to preserving and strengthening a vibrant Jewish community at the very heart of Austrian society. Ensuring a flourishing Austrian Jewish life remains paramount.
