Association Save the Jewish Cemetery Währing
The association can also look back on a very successful year in 2021. Due to Corona, tours and volunteer days had to be canceled, but the renovation work could be carried out according to plan. Basically, the association focuses on two aspects of the renovations:
- Partial area renovations
- Individual grave renovations
Partial area renovation 6 to 8
In 2021, the burial grounds of sub-areas 6 to 8 could be rehabilitated. The volunteers made a great contribution to the rapid implementation of the restoration work, as they prepared the site accordingly, so that the stonemasons could fully concentrate on merging and erecting gravestones.
Tours 2021
The association year started with a strict lockdown, which led to the cancellation of the guided tours in January to April. Guided tours were able to resume in May through November until the 5th lockdown occurred on November 22, eliminating guided tours in December. Despite the closure, 192 people took part in cemetery tours. Another 139 visitors came to visit the cemetery without a guided tour. Under the guidance of experienced guides, the participants gained insight into the history of the cemetery and were able to see for themselves the great progress being made in the renovation.
Successful individual grave renovations
In 2021, the first individual grave renovations could be completed. The individual grave restorations are financed by private individuals or institutions and are carried out under the supervision of the Federal Monuments Office and in compliance with halachic rules.
Grave no.: 1.06.007 Rosalia Mandel (née Menzel)
Grave no.: 02.03.038 Emanuel Redlich
Tomb no: 1.3.45-46-47: Epstein-Teixeira de Mattos family
Grave No: 18.1.8 Ephrussi
Statement of account 2021
Proponents and sponsors
An essential part of the association’s work is the search for proponents who support the association with their expertise, their network or financially. They come from business, culture, art, religion and politics.
Proponents: Johannes Abensberger, Renate Anderl, Dr. Hannes Androsch, Univ.Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Aulitzky, Dr. Harry Bergmann, Mag. Sandra Berkson, Dr. Brigitte Bierlein, Mag. Eva Blimlinger, Wolfgang Böck, Mag. Martin Böhm, Univ.Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Brandstetter, -Timna Brauer, Dkfm. Michael Brooks, Dr. Emil Brix, Prof. Dr. Michael Bünker, Shlomit Butbul, Dr. Herbert Cordt, Oskar Deutsch, Dr. Christoph Dichand, Georg Doppelhofer, Mercedes Echerer, Klaus Edelhauser, Mag. Karoline Edtstadler, Erhard Ernst, Werner Faymann, Dr. Annemarie Fenzl, Dr. Günter Geyer, Roman Grinberg, Dr. Heimo Hackl, KommRat Peter Hanke, Dr. Michael Häupl, Miguel Herz-Kestranek, Klaus Herrmann, Ing. Wolfgang Hesoun, Oliver Hirschbiegel, Prof. Dr. Josef Höchtl, Dr. Wolfgang Hofer, Univ.Prof. Dr. Clemens Jabloner, Wolfgang Jansky, Mag. Maria Jelenko-Benedikt, Dr. Friedrich Jergtisch, UnivProf. Dr. Ulrich Jordis, Patricia Kahane, Josef Kalina, Veronika Kaup-Hasler, Wolfgang Katzian, Norbert Kettner, Ing. Ewald Kirschner, Prof. Dr. Raoul Kneucker, Thomas Kralinger, Sebastian Kurz, Werner Kogler, Herbert Lackner, DDr. Michael Landau, Peter Landesmann, Martin Lechner, Dr. Michael Ludwig, Martina Ludwig-Faymann, Dr. Harald Mahrer, Beate Meinl-Reisinger, Dr. Ralph Müller, Harald Neumann, Beatrix Neundlinger, Rainer Nowak, Univ.Prof. Dr. Edwald Nowotny, Dr. Christian Nusser, Cornelius Obonya, Dr. Josef Ostermayer, Hermann Petz, Caroline Pienkos, DDr. Horst Pirker, DI Josef Pröll, Dr. Johanna Rachinger, Christian Rainer, Dr. Claus Raidl, UnivProf. Mag. DDr. Oliver Rathkolb, Dr. Pamela Rendi-Wagner, Mag. Marie Ringler, Dr. Walter Rothensteiner, DI Walter Ruck, Mag. Andreas Schieder, Mag. Martin Schlaff, Mag. Dr. Heide Schmidt, Richard Schmitt, Rabbi Arthur Schneier, HR Dr. Karl Schütz, Peter Schöber, E. Randol Schoenberg, Dr. Kurt Scholz, Dr. Timothy Smolka, Mag. Wolfgang Sobotka, Dr. Georg Sprin-ger, Prof. Elisabeth Stadler, MMag. Oliver Stauber, Dr. Barbara Staudinger, Dr. Dwora Stein, Mag. Dr. Eveline Steinberger-Kern, Cardinal Dr. Christoph Schönborn, Alois Steinbichler, Erwin Steinhauer, Katharina Stemberger, DI Friedrich Stickler, Mag. Terezi-ja Stojsits, Ing. Karl-Hein Strauss, Sissy and Max Strauss, Ing. Karl-Heinz Strauss, Karin Strobl, Dr. Hannes Sulzenbacher, Dr. Josef Taus, Dr. Paul Tesarek, Dr. Andreas Treichl, Armin Thurnher, Univ.Prof. Dr. Alexander Van der Bellen, Dr. Franz Vranitzky, Dr. Anton Wais, Stefan Wallner, Christiane Wenkheim, Dr. Alexander Wrabetz, Wolfgang Zehetner.
Scientific advisory board
The following persons belong to the honorary scientific advisory board:
Matti Bunzl (Wien Museum), Prof. Mag. Dr. Klaus Davidowicz (Professor of Jewish Studies at the University of Vienna), Dr. Raimund Fastenbauer (Secretary General for Jewish Affairs in the IKG), Annemarie Fenzl (Austrian historian and archivist), Ing. Georg Gaugusch (employee of the Heraldic-Genealogical Society “Adler” in Vienna), Schlomo Hofmeister (German Rabbi and Community Rabbi of the Jewish Community Vienna.), Hofrat Dr. Karl Schütz
Sponsors and supporters
The importance of volunteering at the cemetery
The volunteer work is an essential support for the preparation of the restoration work by the commissioned Atelier Dombau-meister Dr. Zehetner and its stonemason companies. Volunteer work is also valued financially on an annual basis. A total of 1,224 operating hours were documented and valued at an hourly rate of EUR 20.66. Volunteering was therefore worth EUR 25,287.00 in 2021.
In accordance with the 2001 Washington Agreement, volunteer services related to the restoration of the cemetery will be compensated 100% from the Restitution Fund and therefore will again benefit the cemetery.
Cemetery symbols
The cemetery always invites to discovery tours. Whether it’s epitaphs or symbols on the tombstones, for example, it never gets boring. During a stroll through the site, many different symbols stand out. Within the framework of the exhibition space, which is currently being implemented, their significance will also be explained in more detail to future visitors.
New logo for the association
The symbol of the hourglass with the angel wings is found above the entrance gate to the Tahara House and is the symbol of the rapidly passing time. The association has chosen this symbol as its new logo.
Celebrities at the cemetery
With Federal Minister Mag. Karoline Edtstadler we could welcome another member of the government at the cemetery on 20.9.2021.
Outlook 2022
- For the calendar year 2022, the renovation of the graves on subplot 9 is on the agenda. There are about 200 to 230 gravestones. Funding will come from a grant from the Chancellor’s Office that has already been committed.
- Implementation of the already developed exhibition concept and design of the exhibition space in the Tahara House.
- Continuation of Volunteer Days (dates: March 13, April 10, May 8, June 12, July 10, August 14, September 11, October 9, November 13, 2022).
- Monthly cemetery tours (dates: March 13, April 10, May 8, June 12, July 10, August 14, September 11, October 9, November 13, December 11, 2022. )
- Participation again in the Day of the Monument on 25.9.2022
- Due to a cooperation with the Federal Office for the Protection of Monuments, donations to us, if transferred to the Federal Office for the Protection of Monuments, are tax deductible.
Federal Monuments Office 1010 Vienna
BAWAG-PSK
IBAN: AT07 0100 0000 0503 1050
BIC: BUNDATWW
Action code for fundraiser: A283
- Call for donations “adjacent area to sub-area 11”. In addition to the redevelopment of subarea 11, which has already been funded, the Association would like to line up funding for the redevelopment of the adjacent subarea (highlighted in red). Please help! Many thanks
Imprint:
Media owner and publisher: Verein Rettet den Jüdischen Friedhof Währing; Goldschmiedgasse 10, 1010 Vienna
Contributions: Mag. Andrea Schellner;
Photos: Mag. Andrea Schellner
Published once a year
Board of Directors: Chairman Günther W. Havranek, Deputy Chairman Dr. Jennifer Kickert, Deputy Chairman Dr. Ariel Muzicant, Director for Monument Protection/Care Dr. Gerbert Frodl, Secretary Dr. Susanne Schober-Bendixen, Treasurer Mag. Andrea Schellner, Director for Marketing Karl Javurek, Director for Religious Affairs Mag. Elie Rosen
Basic direction of the medium: Restoration ofthe Jewish Cemetery Währing; raising funds that serve the structural maintenance of the cemetery complex. Responsible : Günther W. Havranek
Association Save the Jewish Cemetery Währing, ZVR: 953840753; Info-Point Cemetery: Schrottenbachgasse 3, 1190 Vienna
Download the report as PDF (in German): Activity Report-2021.pdf