Baden Synagogue

The Baden Synagogue, located near Vienna in Baden, is a synagogue that has witnessed the highs and lows of Jewish history in Austria. It has been partially destroyed but subsequently reconstructed, and today it serves as a place of worship and a center for intercultural dialogue.

The origins of the Baden Synagogue date back to the late 18th century, when Emperor Joseph II issued tolerance patents that granted some rights and freedoms to the Jews in Vienna and Lower Austria. Before that, Jews faced significant barriers in settling in Baden, and were largely prohibited from visiting the baths in that region, which were famous for their healing properties.

In the 19th century, a small center of Jewish culture emerged at Bäckerstraße 363 (now known as Breyerstraße 3) as a direct outcome of the tolerance patents. There, Jews established a prayer room, a school, a cemetery, and a charitable association. However, as the Jewish population and the number of spa guests increased, the need for a larger and more representative synagogue became evident.

In 1870, the Israelitische Kranken Support Association acquired a property in the center of Baden, where they initially constructed a public house of prayer. However, this proved to be insufficient, and a decision was made to construct a large synagogue, commonly referred to as the temple. The project was undertaken by Franz Breyer, the city architect of Baden, between 1872 and 1873. The synagogue was designed in a neo-Romanesque style, with a dome, a rose window, and two towers. The main room had two floors, with a gallery for women on the upper floor. The ceiling was made up of steel beams and cast-iron columns, which have been preserved to this day.

The synagogue was inaugurated on September 4, 1874, with a festive ceremony attended by local dignitaries, rabbis, and representatives of other religious communities. The synagogue soon became a focal point of Jewish life and culture in Baden, attracting visitors from near and far. It also hosted musical events, such as concerts by the famous composer Gustav Mahler, who had a close connection to the Jewish community in Baden.

In August 1913, there were reports of rapid progress in the rebuilding of the temple, which had suffered some damage over the years. The western front of the building was already visible from the outside, indicating significant progress. It was anticipated that the inauguration of the temple would take place in the autumn of 1914. However, the outbreak of the First World War delayed the completion of the renovation, which was finally finished in 1919.

Prior to the “union of Austria” with Nazi Germany in 1938, the Jewish community in Baden held the distinction of being the third largest Jewish community in Austria, after Vienna and Graz. It had about 1,200 members, who contributed to the social, economic, and cultural life of the city. However, the Nazi regime soon unleashed a wave of persecution, discrimination, and violence against the Jews, which culminated in the November pogrom of 1938, also known as Kristallnacht.

The interior of the synagogue was vandalized and looted by Nazi mobs, who destroyed the Torah scrolls, the prayer books, the ritual objects, and the furniture. The building was then seized by the National Socialist People’s Welfare Organization, which used it as a storage facility. Due to its proximity to the neighboring fire brigade and other factors, the temple was fortunate enough to be spared from further destruction and arson during the November pogrom. However, most of the Jewish community members were either deported to concentration camps, where they perished, or forced to flee the country.

After the religious community dissolved, the municipality of Baden acquired the property. Following the conclusion of the Second World War, the building served as a staff kitchen for the Soviet occupation soldiers before being eventually returned to the Jewish community. However, the Jewish Community of Baden, as it is known today, initially faced challenges in rebuilding the synagogue due to limited resources. Only a few survivors returned to Baden, and the community had to rely on donations and support from abroad.

Initially, church services took place at the Esplanade sanatorium in Baden. However, in 1963, an outbuilding was converted into a dedicated house of prayer. In May 1988, the Jewish community in Vienna submitted an application to the city administration of Baden requesting the demolition of the temple area in Grabengasse. In that same year, Elie Rosen and Georg Chaimowicz took an initiative that successfully prevented the demolition of the building. After lengthy negotiations, the city of Baden, the state of Lower Austria, and the federal government have collectively assumed responsibility for the expenses associated with the renovation and redesign of the building.

The galleries in the women’s department were closed by the National Socialists in 1938, and unfortunately, the original condition was never restored. The reason for no longer needing the space was the considerably smaller number of Jewish community members. On the first floor, the center for intercultural encounters and understanding, as well as the offices of the religious community, were established. The center, since its establishment, has been a venue for various concerts and lectures, as well as a platform for dialogue and education. With a stage and ample space, it can accommodate up to 170 people.

Thanks to the persistent efforts of Elie Rosen, President of the Jewish Community of Baden, the synagogue was reopened on September 15, 2005, after more than six decades of neglect and decay. The reopening ceremony was attended by hundreds of guests, including the President of Austria, Heinz Fischer, the Governor of Lower Austria, Erwin Pröll, the Mayor of Baden, Kurt Staska, and the Chief Rabbi of Vienna, Paul Chaim Eisenberg. The synagogue was reconsecrated with a new Torah scroll, which was donated by the Jewish community of New York.

Currently, there are 75 seats designated for men and 40 seats designated for women in the synagogue. These seating areas are separated by a screen, in accordance with the Orthodox tradition. The synagogue holds regular services on Saturdays and holidays, as well as special occasions, such as weddings and bar mitzvahs. It also welcomes visitors who wish to learn more about the history and culture of the Jewish community in Baden.

The Baden Synagogue is a symbol of resilience and rebirth, as well as a testimony to the rich and diverse Jewish heritage in Austria. It is a place of worship, a place of memory, and a place of hope.