Jews In Austrian Congress: Population And Representation

Austria's Jewish population has fluctuated significantly over the last century. In 1938, there were around 192,000 Jews in Austria, representing almost 4% of the total population. However, the country's Jewish community was decimated during the Holocaust, with thousands murdered and many more fleeing the country. Today, there are an estimated 10,300-15,000 Jews living in Austria, with the majority based in Vienna.

In 1938, Austria had a Jewish population of about 192,000, representing almost 4% of the total population

Many Austrian Jews fled after Nazi Germany conquered the country in 1938, but between 65,000 and 70,000 were deported and killed during the Holocaust. The Institute for Jewish Policy Research (JPR) estimates that in 2020, approximately 10,300 Jews lived in Austria. The present-day Jewish community of Austria is represented by the Federation of Austrian Jewish Communities (Bundesverband der Israelitischen Kultusgemeinden Österreichs), the Austrian affiliate of the World Jewish Congress.

Austria, like Germany, has a variety of programs and incentives to support Holocaust education and fight antisemitism. One of those programs is the "Austrian Service Abroad," which sends young Austrian volunteers abroad every year in cooperation with the World Jewish Congress. Hebrew University demographer Sergio DellaPergola estimated that approximately 10,300 Jews lived in Austria as of 2020. Most of them are in Vienna, with smaller communities in Baden, Bad Gastein, Graz, Innsbruck, Linz, and Salzburg.

Between 65,000-70,000 Austrian Jews were murdered in the Holocaust

Between 65,000 and 70,000 Austrian Jews were murdered in the Holocaust. Many Austrian Jews fled the country after the Anschluss in 1938, but a large number were deported and killed during the Holocaust. In 1938, Austria had a Jewish population of about 192,000, representing almost 4% of the total population. By December 1939, their number had been reduced to just 57,000, primarily due to emigration.

Jews in Austria have had to contend with frequent outbursts of antisemitism on both a grassroots and state level. These have included vandalism, swastika daubing and attacks in the media. In 1994, Thomas Klestil, the first president of the Austrian Republic to give a speech in the Knesset, publicly condemned Austria's involvement with the Nazi Party in the Holocaust. With that speech, the “Austrian Victim Myth” began to change. Today, Austria, like Germany, has a variety of programs and incentives to support Holocaust education and fight antisemitism. One of those programs is the "Austrian Service Abroad," which sends young Austrian volunteers abroad every year in cooperation with the World Jewish Congress.

Jewish life in Austria dates back to the times of the Roman Empire and peaked in the early 1930s, when Jews comprised 10% of Vienna's total population. Vienna was an important centre of Jewish culture, Zionism, and education. The overwhelming majority of Austrian Jews lived in Vienna, with Jews comprising about 9% of the city's population. Today, Vienna remains the home of the great majority of Austrian Jews, with smaller communities in Baden, Bad Gastein, Graz, Innsbruck, Linz, and Salzburg. Present-day Austrian Jewry is primarily composed of Holocaust survivors (and their children), returning Austrian expatriates and refugees from Eastern Europe. In recent years, Austria has offered sanctuary to many Jews from Iran and the former Soviet Union.

Today, there are approximately 10,300 Jews living in Austria

Austria has a history of antisemitism, and this has continued in recent years with the success of the far-right Freedom Party. However, the country has been taking steps to address this, with a variety of programs and incentives to support Holocaust education and fight antisemitism. One such program is the "Austrian Service Abroad", which sends young Austrian volunteers abroad every year in cooperation with the World Jewish Congress.

The majority of Austrian Jews today live in Vienna, with smaller communities in Baden, Bad Gastein, Graz, Innsbruck, Linz, and Salzburg. Present-day Austrian Jewry is primarily composed of Holocaust survivors and their children, returning Austrian expatriates, and refugees from Eastern Europe, Iran, and the former Soviet Union.

The Austrian government has implemented programs to support Holocaust education and fight antisemitism

The Austrian government has implemented a variety of programs and incentives to support Holocaust education and fight antisemitism. One of these programs is the "Austrian Service Abroad", which sends young Austrian volunteers abroad every year in cooperation with the World Jewish Congress.

The Austrian Jewish community has had to deal with frequent outbursts of antisemitism on both a grassroots and state level. These have included vandalism, swastika daubing, and attacks in the media. In recent years, the success of the far-right Freedom Party has been a cause for concern.

In 1994, Thomas Klestil, the first president of the Austrian Republic to give a speech in the Knesset, publicly condemned Austria's involvement with the Nazi Party in the Holocaust. With that speech, the “Austrian Victim Myth” began to change.

Today, there are approximately 10,300 Jews living in Austria, with the majority in Vienna. Present-day Austrian Jewry is primarily composed of Holocaust survivors (and their children), returning Austrian expatriates, and refugees from Eastern Europe, Iran, and the former Soviet Union.

Since 1948, more than 5,400 Austrian Jews have immigrated to Israel

Since Israel was established in 1948, more than 5,400 Austrian Jews have immigrated there. This is a significant number, but it is not surprising given the history of antisemitism in Austria.

Jewish life in Austria dates back to the times of the Roman Empire, and the Jewish population peaked in the early 1930s when Jews comprised 10% of Vienna's total population. However, many Austrian Jews fled the country after the Anschluss in 1938, and between 65,000 and 70,000 were murdered in the Holocaust.

Today, approximately 10,300 Jews live in Austria, with the majority in Vienna and smaller communities in Baden, Bad Gastein, Graz, Innsbruck, Linz, and Salzburg. Austrian Jewry is primarily composed of Holocaust survivors and their children, returning Austrian expatriates, and refugees from Eastern Europe, Iran, and the former Soviet Union.

Despite the presence of antisemitism in Austria, the country has full diplomatic relations with Israel and offers a variety of programs and incentives to support Holocaust education and fight antisemitism. One such program is the "Austrian Service Abroad," which sends young Austrian volunteers abroad every year in cooperation with the World Jewish Congress.

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