It's Austria’s worst terror attack in memory. On the evening of Monday, November 2, as people packed into central Vienna to enjoy the final night before Austria imposed a lockdown to help curb the pandemic, a group of heavily armed Muslim terrorists fired dozens of shots in Schwedenplatz, a public square in the heart of Vienna’s Jewish district.
“This is the nerve center of the Jewish community,” explained Shalom Berenholtz, who owns a restaurant in the neighborhood and witnessed the attack. Mr. Berenholtz watched as one of the terrorists ran down the street shooting at people indiscriminately.
“They were shooting at least 100 rounds just outside our building,” explained Rabbi Schlomo Hofmeister, whose synagogue is in the area. People sitting outside at cafes and restaurants on Judengasse (“Jew Alley”) and Seitenstettengasse Streets found themselves under attack, as terrorists directed shots at them at random.
Two women, a policeman and another man died almost immediately; over a dozen more people were injured, including several who were injured very seriously. At least one terrorist was killed by police and several more were taken into custody. The manhunt for the remaining terrorists stretched late into the night.
Jewish leaders in Vienna urged Austrian Jews not to leave their homes. If they have to go outside, they were instructed to first remove their kippahs.
As I read about the recent horrific attack, trying laboriously to decipher the German on my phone, the message to Austria’s Jews was so extreme I could hardly believe my eyes: Terroralarm!! Zu Hause bleiben fur 24 Stunden – “Terror Alert!! Stay home for 24 hours!” it read. This was an official notice sent out to all Jews in Vienna from the communal Jewish group in the city, informing Vienna’s Jews that it was too dangerous for any Jew to step outside.
For me, the timing of this notice couldn’t be worse. I was standing in line in the post office, about to mail a stack of documents I’d been preparing for months to Vienna: my application for Austrian citizenship.
Austria recently passed a law allowing direct descendants of people who were forced to flee by the Nazis to apply for citizenship. Since both my grandparents left Austria after the Nazi takeover, arriving in the United States just weeks before World War II broke out, I am eligible and decided to apply for many reasons.
I grew up hearing about the scores of relatives we lost there in the Holocaust. In some ways, our family felt so Austrian while I was growing up. We ate Austrian food often, we heard stories about my grandparents' childhood there. The thought of gaining Austrian citizenship today feels like a matter of reclaiming what my beloved Grandma once lost.
Applying for citizenship is also a way of seeking justice, to take a small step towards righting some of the wrongs that was done to my family. My Grandma's history shows that she was never really Austrian at all – not in the eyes of her many schoolmates who became passionate Nazis in the 1930s; not in the eyes of the Nazi regime; and not – after moving to America and the horrors of the Holocaust – in her own eyes either.
For months I’ve been immersed in Austrian history, assembling a mountain of documents from my grandmother and other relatives, gathering paperwork, and cataloging my family history.
I found my Grandma’s birth certificate, written in swirly old-fashioned German handwriting. I read the address where she used to live with her parents and found the imposing, beautiful apartment building online. I found Grandma’s enrollment forms from the University of Vienna where she was a student in the medical school. I sifted through old family photographs and even found an edelweiss flower Grandma picked in the Alpine countryside, pressed in the pages of a book and brought with her years later to America.
I read with gratitude about Austria’s youthful Chancellor, Sebastian Kurz, who is a champion for Israel within the European Union. I joined an online group of people who were also applying for Austrian citizenship, and we compared notes about our Austrian grandparents. I’ve been in touch with officials in the Austrian consulate, and found them incredibly helpful and solicitous. I’ve even begun laboriously learning some German – not because I have any plans to live in Austria in the future, but because I’ve come to feel so intimately connected with the country.
Yet Monday’s tragic attack reminds us that no matter how secure we feel as Jews in Europe or the United States or elsewhere, no matter what assurances we hear from the governing authorities, we can never truly relax. This is not our home.
Austria long ago shed many of its horrible anti-Semitic attitudes and today welcomes Jews with open arms, but today Jews are still not able to walk outside without fear. The coordinated terror attacks in Vienna were apparently perpetrated by Muslim terrorists and targeted all Austrians, not only Jews, yet they started in the heart of Vienna’s Jewish quarter.
A 2019 poll by the ADL found high levels of anti-Semitism in Austria (as in other European nations): 10% of Austrians reported blaming Jews for most of the world’s wars; 44% said Jews talk “too much” about the Holocaust; and 31% of Austrians agreed with the statement that people hate Jews because of the way Jews behave. In Austria , as elsewhere, Jews are being targeted in violent attacks at ever higher rates.
As I stood in line in the post office I thought of my Jewish brothers and sisters in Vienna who were ordered to stay indoors lest they find themselves being attacked and killed. Trying to take my mind off the unfolding attacks, I looked once more through the documents I was sending to Austria with my citizenship application. Suddenly, they looked so much less cheerful and promising than before.
There was my grandmother’s Viennese birth certificate – with the word Israelitish – “Israelite” – stamped on it in large letters. There was her University of Vienna registration: she was expelled from the university in 1938, along with the other Jewish students. Her registration documents from that year, written in neat cursive handwriting, overlayed with angry lines of thick red ink scribbled across the page. I looked at her emigration permit and noticed its official swastika stamp. That same swastika defaced her otherwise beautiful picture in her passport.
Yes, Jews are welcomed in Austria today, but they face a daily threat of violence and an undercurrent of hatred – both from some Muslim immigrant communities and also from segments of the general population. Just a few weeks ago, Austria’s Chancellor Sebastian Kurz announced a new plan for government funding for security at Jewish sites. He was responding to recent attacks on Austrian Jews, including the August 24, 2020 violent attack with a baseball bat by a Syrian immigrant on Elie Rosen, the Jewish communal leader in the city of Graz, as Mr. Rosen made his way to a local Jewish center. “The last weeks have shown that we have to act together to protect Jewish life in Austria even more determinedly,” Chancellor Kurz said at the time.
I’ve been thinking a lot of what my grandmother would say about my applying for citizenship in the country she fled. I imagine she’d tell me a story she liked to tell about the days before she fled Austria for good. She was getting new clothes made and her seamstress told her she was crazy to leave. Her whole family, her friends, her life were all in Vienna. Surely the anti-Jewish sentiment would blow over soon. My grandmother just looked at the seamstress and posed a question: What would you do if you were on a runaway train? A train with no conductor guiding it? A train that was fast moving out of control? You’d get off, my grandmother answered. You’d wouldn't stay on to see where the train would take you. "I’m getting off," Grandma announced.
With anti-Jewish sentiment sky high and rising around the world, my grandmother would repeat something she conveyed to me when she was alive: the future of the Jewish people is in Israel.
And looking at the world today, I’d say she’s right.
(27) Niall fahy, November 11, 2020 4:37 PM
I am not Jewish ,but to say my prayers goes out to the families of those who loves ones past away in this cowardly attack ( it’s normally is cowardly) and for the Jewish community in Austria gods protection and guidance in the coming times ahead ,
(26) eli, November 7, 2020 10:55 PM
The future of the Jewish people is in Israel
Indeed, in Israel, not in Austria, Europe or, gasp, not even in the USA. Biden or Trump it's irrelevant. Every exile, including the golden medinah, comes to an end. Jews have to come home.
(25) Camilla Luckry, November 5, 2020 8:00 AM
Did you post or toss your citizenship papers?
Did you decide to continue your application for Austrian citizenship, or toss the papers?
(24) Susan Weisfeld, November 4, 2020 4:54 PM
why would you want this?
Why would any American whose family was forced to flee and/or killed by the Austrians want Austrian citizenship? You can have Kaiserschmarn and listen to Strauss waltzes without this. I grew up immersed in Viennese culture (and we spoke German at home) but also aware every day why I didn't have aunts, uncles and grandparents. I went to Vienna twice because I wanted to see all the places my parents remembered, once with them and again after they passed away. I am so grateful to be an American, even today with all that's happening. This offer is a nice gesture and I think the Austrians are trying, but if you are American why would you want dual citizenship as an adult? Just wondering. . .
(23) Corazon Garcia, November 4, 2020 3:31 PM
Jew as an individual
How do you behave that make you distinctly recognized? Why others hate Jewish?
Dvirah, November 4, 2020 5:10 PM
Breaking the Mirror
The bigot/racist does not see individuals, only types. One can only behave one's best in accordance with one's beliefs and hope the person is flexible and honest enough to accept the truth of observation over the preconceived images.
Reuven Frank, November 6, 2020 6:13 AM
Thank you for your questions
Jews act differently in the fulfilling of their faith. The two examples that are easiest to understand (imho), are "Sanctity of Time" and "Sanctity of Physicality".
Sanctity of Time: Religious Jews keep the Sabbath.
This means no doing of "Creative work" for the entire duration of the Jewish Sabbath. This usually goes from some time Friday afternoon, until after dark on Saturday night.
Now, imagine you see your Jewish coworker leaving work early on Friday afternoons during the winter months. Or that s/he won't go out for drinks with you on Friday night, go to a Saturday barbecue, go camping with you on weekends.
Sanctity of Physicality: This has all kinds of facets, but probably the most familiar one is to "keep" Kosher.
Religious Jews will only eat certain things, while avoiding other foods. We only eat at places that are Certified as being under supervision of the above rules as well as making sure that certain mixtures of foods do not occur. Most famously, perhaps, foods containing milk with those containing meat.
Now, again, you Jewish friend will not eat in your house or come to MacDonald's with you. He won't eat at the company barbecue at all, even if it's on Sunday.
This is one of the reasons given for "hating Jews". People say or maybe just think to themselves, "Those Jews think they're so much better than us. They won't eat with us, or marry with us, or spend time with us."
Actually, though, antiSemitism has no reason.
At times Jews have been accused of "controlling the banks".
At times we have been looked upon as sycophants upon society.
Truthfully, I think, Jews and Judaism are hated because people don't understand what true Judaism means.
I hope this answers the questions you asked here at least a little bit.
You can also ask questions of the Aish Rabbi or join a chat on this site.
Or, I also give Aish permission to release my email address to you.
Please, feel free!
(22) David Shammai Sabghir, November 4, 2020 3:15 PM
If she believes her last line
Than why didn't she get off that line at the Post Office?
(21) Jeffrey Silverman, November 4, 2020 2:31 PM
Powerful article
Powerful article. Evokes a lot of feeling in me. I was in Vienna one year ago in July. I felt safe there then. Clearly any of us are under threat at any time in any place.
(20) Laura, November 4, 2020 2:25 PM
Why on earth do you want to apply for Austrian citizenship???
Why on earth do you want to apply for Austrian citizenship???
(19) Anonymous, November 4, 2020 1:21 PM
only safe place re values is Israel
The only place where you can be sure of yr values in the long run is Israel. It is guaranteed by the Bible and meanwhile its rationale could be well explained by psychology / sociology as well without any recourse to theology at all. Right now however most countries , also Israel are under attack and systematically de-stabilized via externally funded NGOs from within by the various task forces of the UN run by mainly Chinese and German communist cronies of the 50ties. (see who occupies rank 2 and rank 3 in said UN which underwent a strange transmutation from arbitrer for peace to communist agitator under the guise of environmentalism) Just study these task forces, and who runs and funds them very closely, then you know what's going on... Well freedom is not for free and we do not have much of a pick in our lifes mission. Wasn't it Salomon who said there is a time for everything? Sometimes all thats left is to fight with nothing to loose anymore ....
I based this comment on the UN's website you may find under /task-forces digital money / UN , I understand that the UN Undersecretary is a Chinese, then 3rd in Rank is Achim Steiner a close colaborator of Mrs. Merkel who around 2016 personally appointed him to her RNE cabinet. He is also Vice chair of the CCICED an environemtal organization of the Chinese Communist Party. How you can commute with such ease between Merkel's Cabinet, the UN and the Chinese Communist party is an interesting question I am still trying to answer.Regretfully, no citizenship will protect you from these ongoings in an organization whose blueprint is the European Commission and whose ambition seems to be to contractually entice the entire world so as to exploit it in the end. Then it would be all against Israel, as the Bible interestingly also predicted. No citizenship will spare you the fight in the end.
(18) jay SCHIFFRES, November 3, 2020 11:41 PM
Seems like Always Again
Being Jewish is wonderful and hard. Thats all I can come up with right now.
(17) Rachel, November 3, 2020 10:58 PM
Multiple passports are always a good idea
As of 5 pm EST, Austrian government is saying there is evidence of only one gunman, an ISIS sympathizer. While my husband has living parents in US, we hope to eventually make Aliyah. Meanwhile, we also have passports to a different European country, which facilitates easier travel within EU and the right to work there.
(16) Anonymous, November 3, 2020 10:31 PM
Antisemitism is so deeply engrained in the German/Austrian Soul and (strongly denied, but fostered by the church) that it won't be eradicated- even in a century's worth of so called education!
(15) Anonymous, November 3, 2020 10:14 PM
Why are so many Jews still staying on the train?!
The message is coming across loud and clear, it is frightening that people are not listening.
(14) Steve Edelman, November 3, 2020 9:24 PM
When someone comes to kill you - Judaism speaks.
It says when someone comes to kill you, rise and kill them first.
(13) Hans ponsold, November 3, 2020 9:07 PM
Please do Research More correctly
Maybe You know more but Police is Talking about just one terrorist - so far. Yes, the shooting Took Place Nearby the Synagoge. Connotation with anti-Semitism is not proved - yet. It’s more an attAck on all what europe Stands for. But yes u are right - there is antisemitism in austria.although the least people have ever met one. 10.000 Jewish citizen versus 9 million. Mr kurz is maybe a friend of Israel but is critisized of Being, at least middle-right, or Right from the middle. Actually Not myType of a guy. Well, we will see what Future brings. I Hope the best and behave as far as i can, WiTh Courage. Please don’t be afraid. Beiing afraid is not a good attitude.trust in g-d
(12) Anonymous, November 3, 2020 9:02 PM
so why were you applying for Austrian citizenship you should have been moving to Israel
(11) Anonymous, November 3, 2020 8:51 PM
Poignant
Thanks for sharing your story.
(10) Penina, November 3, 2020 8:45 PM
Israel is the only place safe for Jews
This story only underscores what I have always believed: the only place a Jew is safe is in Eretz Yisroel. I’ve waited too long to pack my bags and go.
(9) Ruven Golan, November 3, 2020 8:33 PM
Jews are safe in the US
Why do u think Jews are safe in the US?
(8) Brenda, November 3, 2020 7:25 PM
Austria and the Jews
Dr. Miller’s deeply personal story is very moving and chillingly accurate.
(7) Anonymous, November 3, 2020 7:10 PM
Looking at the world today?
Dear Yvette, You are such a smart girl. Today?! Did it really take you till today to understand that the Jews belong in their own Land? Don't you read the Torah portion every week? Did you see last week's? Are we really so blind that it has to be the antisemitism (which He will always provide and always has) that opens our eyes? And even if it is, why don't they stay open? Looking at the world today? What about yesterday? What about our long bloody exile which He graciously ended for us when the British left our Land?
Yvette, gifted writer that you are, start using your skills to encourage English-speaking Jews to hurry home.
(6) Anonymous, November 3, 2020 6:44 PM
An incident in Vienna
Two years ago I took my wife to Vienna for a suprise birthday treat. We attended the synagogue on Shabbat where I had the honour of being called up and enjoyed the beautiful architecture. We also visited the Jewish Museum tucked away in a small square. It wasn't too easy to find, and I asked a waitress in a nearby cafe for directions. She said she knew nothing about the museum or where it was. It turned out to be only round the corner. Was this an antisemitic incident or not? I rather think it was as she turned her face downwards and her welcoming smile disappeared. I still ponder on this.
Annie, November 3, 2020 10:02 PM
How could anyone who lives in a city not know where a museum that's in the next street is ??? If it was a shop, it might be credible. But a museum ?
(5) Alan O'Connor, November 3, 2020 6:16 PM
Growing anti-Semitism
The fact is that the majority of these terror attacks and growing anti-Semitism in European countries emanates from the expanding Moslem community. Reading the Koran, Hadiths, etc it appears clear that Islam is fundamentally anti Jewish and, to a lesser extent, anti Christian. It seems clear that in allowing unfettered Moslem immigration and the development of separate communities, European countries have effectively created a "fifth column" intent on the destruction of those very same countries. Will we see a Moslem dominated Europe before the end end of this century with all the strife and hatred that this will bring?
Martin, November 3, 2020 8:59 PM
Europe committing suicide
Turkish fascist openly forecasted a war between Muslims and Christians in bc Europe
Pro-Israel British Col. Richard Kemp interviewed on RevelationTV Middle East Report that Islam is intent on taking over totally as the one religion quite openly yet the British (and no doubt other countries also) don’t believe this truth .
Watching events in the USA and Canada they are succeeding there as well. Little Satan is the enemy but Great Satan is The USA is the ultimate target
Sadly via the Democratic Socialists their allies with local extremists and Muslims they are now equal to the Corbyn led Labour party in the U.K.
dangerous times ahead
(4) h, November 3, 2020 3:25 PM
Stay at home message
was given to ALL people in Vienna, certainly not only Jews, as is usual in terror attacks. Perhaps that puts a bit of a wider perspective to what happened. There have also been terror attacks in France and Dresden, all viciims were non jewish, the last 2 weeks. The Dresden attack was not even picked up on by international media.
(3) Aharon, November 3, 2020 3:21 PM
American in Vienna
It's been good in Vienna for Jews. Anything can happen anywhere. America is no picnic with so much hate and stride. We must keep Torah and mitzvahs. Add Rabbi Betel Erin says, "Israel should be in everybody's radar."
(2) Anonymous, November 3, 2020 12:42 PM
Vienna synagogue
I visited the synagogue in Vienna a few years ago. Before Kristallnacht. There were 101 synagogues in Vienna. Now there is one. They didn't destroy it because it is attached to other buildings on both sides and they didn't want to harm the other buildings.
MARK BRECKER, November 3, 2020 6:21 PM
INADVERTENT "ERROR"?
I BELIEVE WHEN YOU SAID THERE IS ONLY 1 SYNAGOGUE IN VIENNA, YOU MEANT ONE OF THE 101 BEFORE THE WAR. WHEN I HAD ALMOST RETURNED TO VIENNA [since 1966 and with my now deceased mother] AND DID SOME SEARCHING, THERE SEEMED TO HAVE BEEN QUITE A FEW. AFTER ALL, IF THERE ARE [ever] MORE THAN ONE JEW IN ONE PLACE, ONE SYNAGOGUE WOULD BE INSUFFICIENT.
(1) Lisa, November 3, 2020 12:34 PM
Expiration date....
America welcomed us 70 years ago... a lot of good things have an expiration date... ours is coming up... if it hasn’t already!!!
We can get a better more expensive security system, inside cameras, a new security app.... however we don’t belong here or any other country besides the one Hashem gave us! Am Yisrael Chai!
Anonymous, November 3, 2020 6:24 PM
Amein to that!
Totally agree!