Osterreichisches Judisches Museum, Eisenstadt

Eisenstadt alias Ash was home to a century old and vibrant Jewish community of wine and textile merchants. Since only a few families survived the Shoah, the museum does not only tell their story, but the story of the colourful religious life in the historical pannonia region. Not easy to swallow but well worth a visit.

The museum is housed in the so-called Wertheimer house, a historic building named after the Hungarian Rabbi Samson Wertheimer (1658-1724), who was also court and war factor. This is the first house on the former Judengasse that went all the way to the older Jewish cemetery. Sabbath chain, basin and the tankard of the Levites over the gate of a neighbouring house remind of the Jewish past. The Wolf Family acquired the house in 1875. Until the forced “arianisation” in 1938 the house served as wine whole sale outlet of the Wolf family. The jewel of the museum is a private synagogue. The walk around on the first floor gives a good overview of Jewish festivities and stages of life, as well as a library. On the ground floor there is a Moses-cycle comprised of 50 pictures painted by Uriel Birnbaum as well as an area for alternating exhibitions.