Vienna Participates in Restoration of the Jewish City Temple
This was announced by Mayor Michael Ludwig (SPÖ) at a joint media event with the President of the Israelite Religious Community Vienna, Oskar Deutsch. The project is expected to cost around 10 million euros in total. Another third could be covered by the federal government, with the rest being financed through donations.
Vienna Pays a Third of Restoration Costs
The City Temple is considered the spiritual center of the Jewish community in Vienna and is the largest synagogue in Austria. It is the only one that was not completely burned down during the November pogroms of the National Socialists in 1938. It was built in 1826 by Joseph Kornhäusl, who also created the tower named after him in Vienna's city center, the Theater in der Josefstadt, and the Hussar Temple in Mödling.
Work to Begin in Autumn 2025
The restoration work is scheduled to begin this autumn and be completed a year later. For Deutsch, the project is also a sign that Jewish culture in Vienna will continue. The religious community plans to finance another third of the restoration costs through donations. For this, they have already raised about one million euros through fundraising, Deutsch reported.
Financing of another third by the federal government has not yet been promised. However, positive discussions have been held with all parties in this regard, according to Deutsch. The exception remains the FPÖ, with which the religious community does not speak by resolution. The IKG president also used the appearance with Ludwig to once again warn against the FPÖ's participation in the government. "We will also have better political times again," he noted.
(APA/Red)
This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.