For the first time since 1938: a bar mitzvah in St. Pölten

"Why am I celebrating my bar mitzvah here and not somewhere else? Because my great-grandfather Abraham Harry Reiss grew up here and read the Bible here, and I decided that I would read the Bible here too."

This is how Sheizaf Carney from Israel explained the memorable event that took place in St. Pölten on 7 September: his bar mitzvah, the celebration of religious maturity at the age of 13. 22 members of the family, the Injoest team and GR Birgit Becker gathered in the council chamber of the town hall to listen to Sheizaf's first public Torah reading and the prayers and blessings of his parents, four brothers and grandparents - a milestone for the family and for the town.

See also the |news of the city of St. Pölten|.

Meeting of Descendants 2016

At the invitation of Injoest, 90 descendants of expelled Jewish families from the area of the "Kultusgemeinde" (Jewish community) St. Poelten spent four intensive days (26th-29th of June), searching for traces of their families. Family members out of three generations from Austria, Switzerland, Great Britain, Israel, the USA, Argentina and Mexico visited the graves of their ancestors in St. Poelten and Neulengbach. Afterwards the government of lower Austria and the city of St. Poelten welcomed them. Students from St. Poelten did some research about the destinies of the expelled families and accompanied them to some of their former homes. The Mincha-pray at the Synagogue, led by Cantor Paul Heller from London was for many the emotional highlight.

The majority of the participants received new information and knowledge about their families. Some of them were also able to find so far unknown cousins. Many brought documents and pictures we can use for further research. Just after the descendant’s home journey, the development of a “virtual Jewish community of St. Poelten” began. An organisation committee has been founded to plan a meeting in five years’ time. Until then, a blog will provide a platform to exchange information.

"We were so overwhelmed by different feelings!!! Excited, happy, nostalgic… a mixture of all together." (Netta)

"It was not easy to come to St. Poelten, and I am glad I did. Finally I found roots."(Ariela)

"Imagining my great grandfather leading the prayers on the high holidays – especially during the service we held – was very moving." (Brenda)

"Yes, this was an unexpected and amazing bonus by itself to reveal all our relatives in Austria." (Liron)

"We will possibly make peace with Austria and the horrible stories our mother experienced here." (Nina)

Many thanks to our sponsors:  Landeshauptmann Dr. Erwin Pröll and the government of Lower Austria, Mayor Mag. Matthias Stadler and the city of St. Pölten, Jewish Welcome Service, City of Vienna, National Fund of the Republic of Austria for Victims of National Socialism, Future Fund of the Republic of Austria.

For a short film and media reports about the meeting please got to |Juden in St. Pölten|.