*** REMEMBER THE PAST - BUILD THE FUTURE ***
An important post by the researcher and historian Rifka Junger
March 12th - infamous date in Austrian Jewish history.
On this day, 83 years ago Austria was annexed to Nazi Germany, beginning of the end of the thriving Jewish community.
600 years prior, on March 12th 1421 - a week to Pessach 5181
- the first great tragedy for Austrian Jewry took place - the Wiener Gezera
On this date Duke Albrecht V. condemned the remaining 120 women 90 men of the Jewish community, to be burnt alive, the others had either been left to drift on rudderless boats on the Danube (survivors arrived in Hungary) or chose voluntary death in the main Shul to prevent forced baptism. After the execution of these 210 Jews the Duke declared Austria free of Jews.
On this date 200 years of thriving Jewish life in Vienna's "Judenstadt" (Jews' city) - boasting gedolim such as Rabbenu Yitzchak miVina, the Or Zarua - came to a horrific end.
We remember the past to learn for the future!
*Our addition: As Rifka wrote, remembering and learning history is the first step towards applying its lessons to create a better, more inclusive and tolerant society! We should explore and learn from the past and its painful lessons to continuously improve and grow as people and as a diverse community.
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