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The Newsletter of the American Friends Volume 13 of the Jewish Museum Hohenems, Inc. March 2012 I N T OUCH

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L ETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT F RANCESCA B RUNNER - K ENNEDY

Dear Friends, The museum is also Hohenems. He lived in making changes to its Hohenems as a child, I hope you will eagerly website. They hope to and then was forced to Stephan Rollin read the news contained unveil a completely new flee with his family in Founder in this issue from the one in April. We’ll send 1939, finally settling in AFJMH, the museum, America. Instead of har- Francesca Brunner-Kennedy you news when it goes [email protected] and the town of live. boring ill will toward his President Hohenems. These posi- homeland or repressing tive changes represent Please read Director his heritage, he has Claude Rollin, Esq. hard work from a hand- celebrated it, visiting Vice-President Hanno Loewy’s news ful of people who are herein about what else Hohenems regularly, Uri Taenzer, Esq. trying to improve their is keeping them busy. and asking to be buried Secretary-Treasurer little corner of the world. I’ve previously men- in the cemetery there. T RUSTEES tioned the genealogy In October, the town em- Dr. Robert Amler I am proud to tell you database and the new braced him with a Nicole M. Angiel that the American exhibit called golden key award pre- Ronald Bernell Friends of the Jewish “Everything You Always sented by Vice Mayor Doris Billes Museum Hohenems Wanted to Know About Günter Linder. It’s a Nadia Follman (AFJMH) now has a web- Jews, but Were Afraid to wonderful example to all Timothy L. Hanford site: http://afjmh.org/. Ask.” There will also be of us on how to remem- James Hirschfeld It contains some infor- an exhibit this summer ber the past, but not live Hon. Susan Shimer mation about the organi- excerpting interviews on in it. To move forward, Harry Weil, Jr. zation itself, links to the Jewish identity, ethnicity, to forgive, and to find Monica Wollner museum’s website, con- genetics, culture from a common ground. tact information, copies book by Jewish artist of the latest newsletters, Francesca Brunner- Marina Belobrovaja of Kennedy In Touch Editors: and a button to pay do- Zurich. President, American Susan Shimer nations by PayPal (no Friends of the Jewish Nicole Angiel more having to e-mail You’ll also find a lovely Museum Hohenems  me for a link). Dave piece on reconciliation: Please send your In Touch articles to Taenzer, grandson of the story of Harry Weil, our editors Rabbi Aron Tänzer, has Jr., a trustee of the Susan Shimer agreed to be our web- AFJMH, and the last sur- 16 Pond Lane master, and I thank him viving member of the Armonk, NY 10504 for his contributions. Jewish community in [email protected] or Nicole Angiel 1001 Clark Way Palo Alto, CA 94304 [email protected] Page 2 Volume 13

H ANNO L OEWY , P RESIDENT A SSOCIATION OF E UROPEAN J EWISH M USEUMS ( A E J M ) P RESS R ELEASE 28 November 2011 Ninety delegates from internships will enable

45 Jewish museums smaller museums and English Translation of ranging from Spain to newly established AEJM Press Release Ukraine and Norway to institutions, especially Turkey - as well as those in Eastern and At its annual conference numerous guests from Central Europe, to in London, the the USA and South benefit from the Association of European America - discussed at experience of large Jewish Museums (AEJM) the November 2011 institutions such as has chosen Hanno meeting current those located in Paris Loewy, director of the perspectives of Jewish and Berlin, Frankfurt or Jewish Museum museums, new Prague - but also for the Hohenems, as its new approaches to established museums to development of high president. He succeeds educational work in the benefit from the standards for original Rickie Burman, director multi-ethnic immigrant geographical and research and a of the Jewish Museum in community as well as cultural diversity of the conscious appreciation London. The Association joint projects to European-Jewish for the Jewish heritage Board is comprised of: commemorate the diaspora experience. makes the Jewish Hetty Berg (Jewish precarious situation of The AEJM has evolved Museums not only an Museum, Amsterdam), European Jews during from its beginnings more important resource for Magda Veselská (Jewish World War I. The AEJM than twenty years ago the development of Museum in Prague), organizes regular into a strong partner to Jewish life in Europe, but Erika Perahia Zemour workshops and training the museums, promoting also a model for the (Jewish Museum of of its member by their independence from recognition of the Thessaloniki) and curators and other staff. political and other diversity of European Daniela Eisenstein In the future, interests and their cultural heritage as (Jewish Museum of development training for professional influenced by Franconia). museum educators, development. The immigration and counseling services and ethnicity. 

NEWS FROM THE M USEUM Paris), Zoya Cherkassky D R . H ANNO L OEWY (Tel Aviv), Tamir Zadok (Tel Aviv), Sidney Lumet These are some of the for something “Jewish” country? Is it permissi- and Woody Allen, we recent activities of the behind it. ble to make jokes about want to confront these Museum. the Holocaust? Why is it questions in a witty Some of these questions so difficult to discuss the mood. Everything You Always are uncomfortable for politics of Israel?

Wanted to Know About the one who asks, some And we invite visitors to Jews. But Were Afraid to are politically incorrect, Together with artists like ask their own questions. Ask and some are awkward. Yael Bartana Answers will be pub- But, mostly the answers (Amsterdam/Berlin/Tel There are many questions are not that complicated, Aviv), Adi Nes (Tel Aviv), lished on: around about Jews. Some as one can guess. What Tamar Latzman (New www.jm-hohenems.at or are taboo, some only do Jews look like? Are York), Zbigniew Libera www.wassieschonimmerue seem to be. But where Jews born talented (Warschau), Shmuel berjudenwissenwollten.at people sense a secret or money makers? Can Shapiro (Kißlegg), Harley mystery they often look Jews be at home in any Swedler (New York/ (Continued on page 3) In Touch Page 3

NEWS FROM THE M USEUM Some artwork from the exhibit Everything You Wanted to Know About Jews.

"The whole world in a clover leaf", world map of Heinrich Bünting, about 1581

"Untitled", by Zoya Cherkassky, Tel Aviv

Record "David Ben Gurion: What is a Jew", Collection Roger Bennett, New York Page 4 Volume 13

At the same time, our turn this project into a N EWS F ROM T HE M USEUM database is growing and book. DNA-DAN-NAD- including more and more NDA-AND-AND, including (Continued from page 3) It makes our exhibition biographies, photo- 60 interviews (all in Eng- space much more flexi- graphs and documents, lish and German), will be New Website and ble and usable. Come making it a rich resource published in May and will Renovations and see! for both the descen- be presented in the Jew- dants and scholars alike. ish Museum in June. An Not always as visible but Hohenems Genealogy See installation of some of sometimes crucial: the Database www.hohenemsgenealogy. the interviews will accom- quality of our work de- at pany our summer exhibi- pends on our infrastruc- Our database project is tion. ture. With funds from the moving ahead with New Publication in the federal government, we funds from the State of Spring News from the staff are working on the crea- Tyrol. In cooperation with tion of a completely new the University of Inns- In 2010, when the Jew- In February 2012, Junia website that we hope bruck and Professor Tho- ish Museum Hohenems Wiedenhofer joined our will be on the net in mas Albrich, the Jewish invited the crowd to sur- collections department. April. Our website is get- Museum has been work- prise us and our visitors She supports Christian ting older. Equipped with ing on the history of the with a “Jewish some- Herbst, working on the a state of the art techni- Jews of Tyrol (including thing” (a chosen object) genealogy project of the cal background (CMS), Southern Tyrol) for al- for an exhibition, Jewish Museum. Junia Wieden- the new website will be most 20 Years. Two artist Marina Belo- hofer was born in Tyrol, much more flexible, visu- books with biographies brovaja of Zurich felt pro- studied history in Inns- ally much more attrac- of Jews from Tyrol and voked to answer this bruck, and wrote her tive and easier to ma- Vorarlberg, edited by question more radically. master’s thesis on the neuver, both for the visi- Thomas Albrich, were Reacting both on our call situation of Russian Jew- tors and for us, present- published in 1999 and and the increasing im- ish immigrants in Israel. ing content for you that 2008. Students of his- pact of genetics on the outreaches into the tory and a working discourse about identity In August 2011, Julia global world. group, including Niko among Jews, she started Schertler-Dür joined our Hofinger, did research in her personal “DNA- staff part-time in the edu- By no means “virtual” the files of the City, the Project”. Working on a cation department. To- but deeply grounded is State and the Jewish seemingly endless chain gether with Tanja Fuchs, the second improvement community, on the fate of interviews with Jewish she is now organizing the of infrastructure. A major of some 3000 Jews from friends and relatives, as guided tours, workshops, renovation of our chang- Tyrol, and their descen- well as strangers to her, educational programs ing exhibition space in dants. Many of these who commented with and materials of the Mu- the basement was long families are also related each other on the ques- seum. Julia Schertler-Dür overdue. With funds to Hohenems and Vorarl- tions of Jewish identity, was born in Bregenz and from the federal govern- berg. The results of that ethnicity, genetics, cul- studied English and Con- ment (that at least cov- research were collected ture and politics, she temporary History in Salz- ered a part of the cost) in an internal database, constructed her own burg. She worked as a we finally had the but it still has to be “DNA” of Jewish dis- High school teacher and, chance to install a new worked through for inte- course, like “stille Post” since 2007, as a cultural lighting system in the gration with our geneal- (Chinese whispers). A guide and research assis- basement. And, we were ogy website. This was very particular explora- tant for various projects able to create two new made possible recently tion of Jewish thought in in the Jewish Museum passageways between with a generous grant times of new challenges. Hohenems. We are glad the rooms, enabling visi- from the State of Tyrol to have both Junia and tors to move in a circle. that enables us to in- After a first presentation Julia on board.  This sounds like a small clude this data in a par- in the Jewish Museum change, but we had to ticular project for three Hohenems in March move 15 tons of stone. years. 2011 she decided to In Touch Page 5

H ARRY WEIL JUNIOR Harry Weil was recently The award is a symbol of Harry Weil, Jr awarded the Golden restitution and accep- has in a Ring of Honour of tance that was denied unique way Hohenems. his father, the last Can- preserved his tor and Organist of the connection Harry Weil, Jr, born in Jewish community of with 1931, grew up in Bre- Hohenems who after the Hohenems genz, Austria. His family Second World War despite all returned again to wanted to return to adversities, Hohenems where he Hohenems. including the attended the Volkss- persecution chule (primary school). Harry Weil lives today in in his original In 1939, together with los Ranchos near Albu- homeland his parents, he fled over querque, New Mexico and the later Swtizerland to the U.S.A. and wishes like his fa- refusal of a ther to be buried in the resettlement From 1948 to 1955, Jewish cemetery in of his family. Harry Weil Jr. served in Hohenems. He feels “at With regular Harry Weil at the recent celebration of the the U.S. Navy, partici- home” in Hohenems, visits, his em- Museum’s 20th Anniversary pated in the Korean War that’s it. In 2008, within phasis that he feels at This award should be a and was awarded the the documentary “Flight home here and his wish bridge from the past to Purple Heart. He is the into the Unknown,” in his to be bured in the present and a sign of only still living Jewish biography he states, “I Hohenems like his fa- the recompense (or com- Hohenemser from the am an American, an Aus- ther, clinches his con- pensation, reparation, time of the persecution. trian, a Catholic, a Jew… nection to Hohenems. redress) denied his fa- and proud of all these ther.  roots.” REMARKS AT THE AWARD CEREMONY V ICE M AYOR G ÜNTER L INDER , 1 2 O CTOBER 2 0 1 1 Unquestionably one of relationship to memory, in bitterness. In reestablish contact with tonight's two honourees Hohenems: "Heimat ist 1938 he had moved to his homeland after the has had the longest trip dort, wo das Herz ist." Hohenems with his war. One must admit to Hohenems, yet never- Beautiful words, that family and attended the that his efforts were theless he has always prove that feelings, elementary school. The responded to very stayed very close to thinking and actions of a seizure of power by the negatively, not even his Hohenems: Mr. Harry person can never be Nazis forced the Jewish property here in town Weil, Jr. has travelled reduced to his or her family Weil to flee, first was restored to him. The here from Albuquerque, passport. "Home" is a to Switzerland and later family thus settled New Mexico, and is hon- feeling, a love, that to the Unites States. permanently in the U.S. ouring us by receiving connect to several The uncle of Harry Weil, and Harry Weil, Jr. this award personally. places, to people or to Jr., Louis, did not served from 1948 to an idea. succeed in this; he was 1955 in the U.S. Navy. murdered by the Nazis in Wounded and highly "Home is where the Dachau. Harry's father, decorated, he returned heart is," it is said, and Let me elaborate a bit Harry Weil, Sr., had been from the Korean War. this spring Harry Weil, Jr. further: With good the last organist at the After a brief time serving quoted this here in the reason Harry Weil, Jr. synagogue of Hohenems in the Air Force in North Löwensaal, in German, could have erased and wanted to to describe his Hohenems from his (Continued on page 6) Page 6 Volume 13

REMARKS FROM THE AWARD CEREMONY

(Continued from page 5) and the harm they expulsion, persecution a basis of this suffered, Harry Jr. has and war. Yet he has commitment, of joining Africa, he had seen much shown how a self- always been in search of forces, that has made a of the this world as a confident, grounded that which unites and lot of things happen in young man and settled man, that has been not divides us. He has recent years. down in Albuquerque, challenged in his life, stated: "I am American, New Mexico, in the late may exemplify love and Austrian, Catholic, Jew ... Harry Weil, Jr. is the last 1950s. There he still forgiveness. A man who and proud of all these surviving member of the lives. He is father to five sits firmly in the saddle, roots," if I may quote Jewish Community children and has been as we frequently have him. Again and again he Hohenems, which had married to Marita Ann seen him. Love often has proven especially his existed until the 1930s. Johnston for 30 years. doesn't simply flourish deep and honest It is my honour to His passions are his through closeness, but attachment to present the Golden Ring horse ranch and sheep also through a wistful Hohenems in words and of Honour of Hohenems farming. Remarkably, he look from afar. deeds. Some years ago, to him this evening. As I stills works in his job as a Throughout the years in the TV documentary know him, he will keep tax consultant. Four Harry Weil, Jr. always "Flucht ins and bear it in honor. We weeks ago he celebrated has been a bit of an Ungewisse" ("Escape will always be pleased his 80th birthday; our "Emser" in New Mexico, into Uncertainty"), the again to welcome Harry congratulations. This kind of "our Austrian story of the Jewish Weil, Jr. to Hohenems in anniversary presents a ambassador in the Community of the future: "Here, where perfect occasion to States." He has often Hohenems based on the heart is." This award, present him with this visited Austria, and selected biographies he this ring, is meant to award tonight. especially Hohenems, showed his attachment. build a bridge from the for the Jewish Museum's As a Trustee of the past to the present. This Meetings of American Friends of the One doesn't have to live ring expresses our Descendants and the Jewish Museum in Hohenems to stay or to gratitude to it's bearer Museum's Anniversary Hohenems, he has become a "Hohenemser." for his connection to this spring, just to name supported the Jewish Harry Weil, Jr. is a man Hohenems. And this ring Museum Hohenems. who loves Hohenems two occasions. shall also seal our own This evening we owe him and is closely connected deep connection with much for that too. You'll to this city. Given all that Harry Weil, Jr. is a man him, the bearer.  notice the "Friends" in was taken from him and that has himself the title: "Freundschaft" his family irretrievably, experienced escaping, or "Friendship" serves as

Harry Weil receives his Golden Ring of Honour In Touch Page 7

T HE L IFE, T IMES AND MUSIC OF C ANTOR S ALOMON S ULZER G ERHARD S ALINGER Salomon Sulzer was and not far from the Jewish still is an eminent figure Cemetery in Hohenems. in the world of Jewish Just as most other Jews liturgical music. living there, he was en- Various publications gaged in commerce. His deal with his life and good relationship with music, among them the the count was probably documentation by the reason that he be- Hanoch Avenary, Walter came head of the local Pass, Nikolaus Vielmetti Jewish community. and Israel Adler “Kantor Salomon Sulzer und In 1663, he moved to Seine Zeit,” two Idel- Sulz, and from there to sohn publications about Altenstadt, both in the Jewish music and liturgy Feldkirch district, but and the “Katalog zur returned to Hohenems Ausstellung” des Landes in about 1667. Al- Vorarlberg - “Salomon though he had a Schutz- Sulzer, Komponist, Kan- brief (letter of protec- tor, Reformer (Wien tion) since 1657, with- 1991) with contributions out any known reason, by Bernhard Purin, Karl in 1676, the count ex- Heinz Burmeister, Klaus pelled the Jewish fami- Lohrmann and Walter lies from Hohenems, a Pass. Also to mention is part of his territory. the publication by Rabbi The Jewish families, af- Dr. A. Taenzer “Die ter paying Schutzgeld to Geschiohte der Juden in the local Austrian au- Hohenems.” (Dr. Taen- thorities, were then per- After the count of small Jewish community zer writes his name mitted to live in Sulz, a Hohenems changed his in Sulz. Salaman Sulzer.) village between mind and was willing Hohenems and Feld- again to issue Schutz- Josle Levi must have be- Salomon Sulzer was kirch, which enabled briefe, the Austrian au- come quite wealthy. He born on March 18, 1804 them to collect out- thorities in Innsbruck maintained storage facili- in Hohenems, a town in standing debts. ordered most Jews to ties in various towns in Vorarlberg in the west- leave Sulz. There were the area and also lent ern part of Austria, not In the meantime, Josle three exceptons: only money to the count of far from the Swiss bor- Levi’s son Salomon be- the most wealthy Jews, Hohenems. His sons had der. came head of the Jewish Salomon Levi and his moved to the Augsburg community. brothers, Abraham and area (Bavaria) and were The oldest known mem- Wolf, were permitted to there commercially ac- ber of the Sulzer family Soon after they arrived remain in Sulz. Salo- tive. is Josle Levi, born in in Sulz, there were bitter mon Levi died in 1703. 1610, who resided in complaints by the local Salomon’s son, also But things began to Hohenems since about Sulzer citizens, culmi- called Josle, as his change in the fall of 1635. His house was nating in hostilities grandfather, now be- 1744. On December 23 located near the Schwe- against the new Jewish came the head of the and 24, 1744, a mob felbad (sulphur bath), arrivals. (Continued on page 8) Page 8 Volume 13

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(Continued from page 7) During the short time time. During services, settlement was reestab- period from 1806 until usually two meschorrim lished with a second syna- under the leadership of 1814, Vorarlberg was formed the cantor’s gogue built in 1204. An the local head of town part of the Kingdom of small choir. estimated 1,000 Jews by the name of Leon- Bavaria. Under the Ba- were then living in the Jew- hard Gries attacked all varian Judenedict of He was also with the ish quarter. Jewish property, plun- 1813, Jews were forced cantor several months dered Jewish homes, to adopt German family when he performed in At the time of the Black and willfully destroyed names and the Levi Alsace, then under Death (bubonic plague) in the Jewish houses. As a family elected the name French rule with a large Europe (1348-1349), result of this pogrom-like “Sulzer.” German speaking popu- when so many Jewish com- event, the local Jews lation. He returned to munities were decimated, from Sulz fled first to The population of Hohenems in 1813, and the Jews in Vienna were Liechtenstein and set- Hohenems in 1807 was continued his studies in spared such a fate. How- tled later in Hohenems. around 3,130. Included Karlsruhe in Baden un- ever, many Jews whose Josle Levi died in 1753. here were 81 der Cantor Eichberg. lives were threatened His son, Jacob, born in Schtzjuden, 348 family In 1820, then only 16 sought refuge in Vienna. 1707, was not as fortu- members and service years old, he was of- 1421 was the year of the nate as his father. His employees, a total of fered the position as “Wiener Ge- two brothers were now 429 Jews. cantor in Hohenems. sera” (persecution) when living in Kriegshaber Due to the poor eco- the community was de- near Augsburg. When Salomon Sulzer nomic position of the stroyed and Jewish prop- was born (in 1804), his local community, his erty was confiscated. The new head of the family, in former years salary was very small. Jewish community in well to do, lived at that Sulzer remained in Fifteen Jewish families Hohenems was now time under strained eco- Hohenems until the end lived in Vienna in 1512. Maier Uffenheimer, the nomic conditions. As a of 1825. On January 8, During the Thirty Year War son of Jonathan Uffen- boy, young Sulzer, with 1826, he was permitted (1618-1648), the Jews heimer. some musical talent, to take an eight-week were suffering just as the was not destined for the vacation and traveled to rest of the population. In Jacob Levi’s son again commercial life of this Vienna. 1624, Ferdinand II con- was named Josef (1758- family. His abilities were fined the Jews of Vienna to 1848). noted by the local can- Sulzer in Vienna a ghetto. Some 500 Jew- tor, Benjamin Levi- ish families lived there in During the second half Bermann. At the age of At this point, it is appro- 136 houses. Many Jews of the 18th century, trad- eleven, he was sent to priate to mention the made their living from do- ing opportunities across Endingen in the Swiss changing conditions un- mestic trade, some from the Swiss border devel- canton Aargau. Endin- der which the Jews in international trade. oped which were of gen, a small town, is one Vienna lived during the great importance also to of the oldest Jewish centuries. In 1669, Leopold I ex- the Jewish families in communities in Switzer- pelled all Jews from Vienna the area. Josef Levi was land. The Endingen The earliest Jewish set- and converted their syna- very active in Switzer- synagogue was built in tlement occurred during gogue into a church, the land and in 1785, sold 1764, eight years before the 12th century. At that present Leopold Kirche. great quantities of the Hohenems syna- time, they had a syna- When eventually Leopold goods at Swiss trade gogue was built. In End- gogue and owned ran into financial difficul- fairs. But it appears ingen, he accompanied houses. During the ties, he remembered his that this fortunate time Cantor Lippmann as a Third Crusade in 1196, Jewish subjects again and came to an end soon “meschorrim,” a kind of the Jews in Vienna were permitted some of them to after 1800. assistant. (Hilfssaenger) murdered. Only a few Then a practice of that years later, a new (Continued on page 9) In Touch Page 9

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(Continued from page 8) “Vertreter” (representati the Austrian authorities. ve). Head of the When the synagogue Sulzer assumed the title resettle there against “Vertreter” who con- was dedicated, Noah “cantor” and Ober-Cantor payment of high taxes. ducted business with the Mannheimer (1793- in later years.] In 1777, 520 Jews lived authorities was for some 1865), from Copenha- in Vienna, but their time Natan Adam von gen, Denmark, spoke Before Sulzer arrived in number was restricted Arnstein (1748-1838). and requested that Salo- Vienna, the musical ar- by legislation of Maria mon Sulzer officiate as rangement of the prayers Theresa. Since many of those Vorbeter. were not standardized, Jews who lived at that and each cantor selected Before Sulzer arrived in time there were eco- In a decree of January his own melodies, some- Vienna in early 1826, nomically well off, and 22, 1820, Kaiser Franz times in the then prevail- this was the situation: An an official house of demanded that a rabbi ing Rokoko or Baroque official Jewish commu- prayer did not exist there has to prove that he has styles. Usually, the can- nity (Kultusgemeinde) until 1825, influential profound knowledge of tor at that time had at was not legally permit- men of the community, the “philosophical sci- his side two boy singers ted. Neither was a rabbi such as Michael Lazar ences” and is also com- to accompany him allowed to function un- Biedermann (1769- petent in the teaching of (called “meshorrers” or der the theory that there 1843), head of the Jewish religion. He also meshorrerim). Sulzer was no community. The “Vertreter,” and Isak preferred services in changed this arrange- religious services were Loew Hoffmann von German or in the lan- ment and introduced the conducted by the Hoffmannsthal (1759- guage of the country quartet form for four “Vorbeter” (someone 1849), were instrumen- and that prayer books voices. who is knowledgeable in tal in the establishment have appropriate trans- the liturgy but who does of a dignified house of lations. In some publications, not have to be a trained worship. Sulzer is referred to as a cantor). Those Jews who When Mannheimer ac- “Reformer.” While this lived in Vienna were tol- On April 9, 1826, under cepted his new position may be true in respect to erated by the emperor the supervision of the in Vienna, his title was the musical style he in- and the authorities, ac- architect Josef Korn- Prediger (preacher). He troduced, up to this day, cording to their useful- haeusel (1782-1860), was also director of the the Seitenstettengasse ness to the city, despite the Wiener Stadttempel religious school. He was synagogue maintains the the existence of the so- was consecrated. As recommended by Mi- traditional form of reli- called Wiener Toler- was the practice at that chael Lazar Biedermann gious services as found anzpatent, which applied time in Europe, this for the position. elsewhere. This was due to Christian denomina- house of prayer was hid- [Under other circum- to the fact that only a tions, but not to Jews. den within a building, stances in European minority of the commu- Unofficial sources claim with the entrance from countries, the title nity wanted more that there were at that Seitenstettengasse. “Prediger” was some- changes in the ritual. time 124 family heads. This hidden location times assumed by an The traditional form of Together with their saved the building from officiating cantor when service was continued in wives, children and ser- destruction during the no rabbi was employed. those Vienna syna- vice personnel, the total Pogrom night on Novem- The title Prediger/ gogues built at later number amounts to ber 9-10, 1938 because preacher implies that dates. Many of them 1,256 tolerated persons. neighboring property the official has no rab- had large men’s choirs. Since there was no offi- would have been endan- binical training. Mann- This was also the case in cial Jewish community, gered. All freestanding heimer could not use the Stadttempel at a those in charge of com- synagogues were either the title “rabbi” because later time. munity functions were burned down or blown such a title was not au- for many years called up at that time. thorized at that time by (Continued on page 10) Page 10 Volume 13

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(Continued from page 9) Sulzer profited much  Franz Volkert, 9  Josef Stark was later from this, although short compositions, best cantor in Prossnitz On June 25, 1827, Sul- lived, relationship. A known for his (Moravia), in zer married Franziska year before his death, Hayom Teamtzenu Hohenems until (Fanny) Hirschfeld Schubert presented Sul- at the end of Mussaf 1865 and (1809-1855). She was zer with his composition for the high holidays. Ichcnhausen a daughter of Carl of Psalm 92 in Hebrew, (Bavaria). He emi- Hirschfeld and came Tov L’hodos. Schubert Among those who at- grated to New York in from a Hohenems fam- departed this world on tended Sulzer’s syna- 1885. His son Edu- ily. November 19, 1828 at gogue services was the ard J. Stark (1863- the young age of 31 af- composer Franz Liszt 1918) was a cantor The new temple and the ter a short illness, but (1811-1886). He was and composer in San presence of Cantor Sul- his musical legacy sur- not known for any love Francisco. zer soon attracted many vives to this day. of Judaism and was the  Best known was visitors to the father-in-law of the com- Moritz Deutsch synagogue who were By the time Sulzer’s poser Richard Wagner. (1818-1892) who anxious to hear the new compendium Shir Zion I But, he had much praise became a cantor in cantor. Soon he made came out in 1840, he for Sulzer and his musi- Breslau in 1844. many friends in the mu- had received 37 musical cal talents.  Joseph Mayer offici- sical world of Vienna, contributions from ated in Prague, many of whom were not mostly non-Jewish com- Other important person- Teschen (Bohemia) Jewish, because music posers, of which 18 alities of that time and since 1844 in played an important part were incorporated in his period were the well- Tarnopol. in the cultural life of Vi- Shir Zion I. Their names known composer Robert  Gruenewald, since enna. are: Schumann and, when 1847 in Krotoschin/  Franz Schubert, one on a visit to Vienna, Posen. To broaden his musical composition, Psalm Meyerbeer.  The Jewish commu- knowledge when he 92. nity in Hohenems started his new position,  Josef Fischhof, who Although the Vienna sent their cantor Leo- Sulzer invited many of was Jewish, 6 com- Jewish community pold Reichenbach his new friends, who positions. wanted to limit Sulzer’s (1820-1885) to Sul- played a part in the mu-  Ignaz Ritter von Sey- activities to the syna- zer in Vienna. Ac- sical life of the city, to fried, 2 composi- gogue, he is known to cording to Rabbi write compositions for tions, among them have performed also Taenzer, he later him in the Hebrew lan- his L’cho Dodi. outside the synagogue, conducted the syna- guage and adaptable for  Joseph Drechsler especially reciting in the gogue choir in religious services. (1789-1852), 16 Schubert tradition his Hohenems. Among them was the compositions. He Lieder (songs).  Israel Blum (born in well known composer was a royal court 1825) was recom- Franz Schubert (1797- conductor (Hof- Sulzer became widely mended by Sulzer for 1828). He was the last Kapellmeister) and known outside the coun- the Jewish commu- of the great classical wrote the music for try and attracted many nity of Troppau (then composers during the the inauguration of students from other Austrian Silesia). transition to the Roman- the Stadttempel in parts of Europe. Among  Moritz Perles (1825- tic period. Schubert is 1826. those were many who 1891) received his known worldwide for his  Wenzel Wilhelm sang in his choir: training and educa- ten symphonies, cham- Wuerfel, 3 composi-  Max Wolff was later tion from Sulzer and ber and piano works and tions, among them cantor in Teplitz, later officiated as his Lieder (songs) as an his version of Adon Mannheim and San cantor in Prague. independent art form. Olam. Francisco. (Continued on page 11) In Touch Page 11

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(Continued from page 10) day’s Vienna’s Stadttem- of those who died on “Israelitisde Gemeinde pel has a choir of 10-12 March 17, 1848 as a von Wien.” A provisional Some of Sulzer’s choir adult male voices. result of the revolt in statute for Vienna’s Jew- boys in the 1850’s later Vienna. ish community was prom- became prominent in In 1848, the Jews of Vi- ulgated in 1852. The joy the cantorial field. enna were still a toler- The turbulence in those about the new monarch, Among them were Aloys ated minority that had days was not initially however, was overshad- Kaiser (1840-1908) no official status. (Even successful and the au- owed by a new Austrian who, in 1866, became a after his arrival in Vienna thorities prevailed. Croa- constitution in 1851 that cantor in Baltimore, and in 1826 Sulzer obtained tian troops under Field reinstated the old au- Moris Goldstein (c. 1840 a Schutzpatent.) 1848 Marshal Windischgraetz thoritarian rule. Restric- -1906) who, in about was a year in which po- were no match for the tions for Austrian Jews 1881, was a cantor and litical upheavals took unarmed rioters. There followed in 1853. Jews composer in Cincinnati. place in parts of Europe, were also three Jewish were excluded from all To be mentioned further and the masses re- victims. The first result state offices. is Moses (Mor) Fried- volted. There was this was court proceedings mann who officiated feeling that the authori- against the main agita- Military defeats by Aus- from 1850 to 1858 in tarian regimes were too tors in November, 1848. tria’s army in 1859 re- the new synagogue in oppressive. Instigated by Among four persons con- versed the political situa- Wienfuenfhaus and was speakers with revolution- demned to death was tion and a liberalization later in Budapest. Can- ary themes, the seed the journalist Hermann followed, applicable also tor Friedmann also be- was laid to prevail upon Jellinek, a brother of Pre- to Austria’s Jews. In came lecturer at the Bu- the people to show their diger Jellinek who suc- 1861, three Jewish rep- dapest Rabbinical - and anger and to revolt. ceeded Mannheimer resentatives became Teachers Seminary. after his death. On No- members of the Vienna Among Sulzer’s students The upheavals started in vember 11 (Shabbat city council. The year from Odessa, where cho- Paris on February 22, Vajera - Gen. 18-22), 1867 established equal- ral music was much in 1848 and spread to Mu- Mannheimer in his ser- ity for all segments of the demand, was Osias nich (Muenchen, Bava- mon exhorted his con- population in Austria, as Abrass (1820-1884), ria) March 2, 1848, Co- gregants and deplored well as in Hungary. In the Wulf Schestapol logne (Koeln/Prussia) the circumstances that 1860's, the previously (approximately 1832- March 3, 1848, Berlin/ led to the defeat of the subdued status of Aus- 1872) and Jacob Bach- Prussia March 11, 1848, revolt. tria’s Jews had changed mann (1849-1905). Vienna March 12, 1848, for the better. Budapest, Austrian Em- The defeat of the revolu- In contrast to Berlin, pire, March 18, 1848, tion was very discourag- After the publication of where after 1865 the Venice, Austrian Empire, ing for Austria’s Jews at “Shir Zion” in 1840, Sul- community became March 22, 1848 and first. Although nominally zer’s music became not more or less divided in Milan, Austrian Empire, all religions had equal only popular in Europe, its ritual into Orthodox March 22, 1848. Predi- rights, in practice, how- but also to some extent and Conservative fac- ger Mannheimer openly ever, it was a different in America. In America, it tions, the Vienna Jewish supported the intended matter. was introduced in Albany, community adhered to political changes. Sul- New York, Cincinnati, its old traditions. There zer’s sympathies were An encouraging change New Orleans and other was no use of an organ. also with the “new or- occurred when the new locations, and also Sulzer’s synagogue, with der,” but he was less young emperor, Franz Odessa when in 1859, a its original quartet of outspoken. Both Mann- Joseph I, acceded to the new synagogue was built. four male voices, later heimer and Sulzer, as throne. In a speech on added a boy’s choir with can be seen in pictures, April 3, 1849, he surpris- 20-30 participants. To- participated at the burial ingly used the words (Continued on page 12) Page 12 Volume 13

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(Continued from page 11) (287,824). This number tion had now climbed to place on March 25 at climbed to 72,588 Jews 10.5%. the Musikvereinssaal, Sulzer received many in 1880, when the city’s the other on March 25 honors and now had the population stood at In March 1866, Sulzer (Shabbat Gadol) at his title “Ober-Cantor” (Chief 721,551, which means celebrated his 40th year synagogue or Senior Cantor). His that the Jewish popula- as cantor in Vienna. One (Stadttempel). salary was twice that festive celebration took which the Predigers Mannheimer and Jellinek received. Jellinek retained the title “Prediger” when he suc- ceeded Mannheimer, who had died in 1865. Dr. Adolf Jellinek (1820- 1893) had been Prediger at the new Leopoldstad- ter synagogue and was known as a formidable speaker. He followed Mannheimer by not mak- ing any changes in the ritual to maintain the status as Einheitsge- meinde. While some members had wished the introduction of an organ, this would have offended the more traditional per- sons and a split in the community was to be avoided by all means.

In 1865, Sulzer’s Shir Zion Part II was pub- lished. It contained some additions and some changes of Part I.

While Vienna’s Jewish population in 1848 con- sisted of 197 tolerated individuals, the number soon grew to 4,000 Jews through immigration to the city from all parts of the monarchy. In 1857, 6,217 Jews lived in Vi- Schir Zion, Sulzer’s Book enna, equaling 2.18% of Vienna’s total population (Continued on page 13) Page 13 Volume 13 S ALOMON S ULZER (Continued from page 12) Malerei (the art of paint- reputation is so out- deteriorated years be- ing), music, songs nor standing. For moments fore his retirement. There was reportedly no poems which could be we could penetrate into During the winter of open anti-Semitism dur- considered a national his real soul and recog- 1889, Sulzer contracted ing Sulzer’s lifetime. form of creation. Espe- nize the secret doctrines pneumonia, but recov- cially they confiscated of the fathers....We went ered. This serious ill- While, in fact, most mu- the field of music, with to his synagogue in or- ness must have weak- sicians at that time were tremendous success. der to hear him. Seldom ened his heart. On Janu- his friends, exceptions They wanted to copy the were we so deeply ary 17, 1890 at 10:00 in existed. A well known best which we had. The stirred by emotions as the evening, he fell into example is Richard Wag- Jews wanted to elabo- on that evening, so a deep sleep, never to ner. Already in 1850 rate only in those ele- shaken that our soul awaken again. Wagner anonymously ments which we created. was entirely given to wrote about the subject The Hebrews never in- meditation and to par- Salomon Sulzer had a “Ueber das Judenthum tended to be like the ticipation in the service.” large family. His wife, in der Musik.” In 1869, French, Germans or Ital- Fanny, who came from he expanded this theme ians. They remained This quoted thought was Hohenems, died in with his “Aufklaerungen Sons of Israel.” standard opinion of all 1855. She was the ueber das Judenthum in gentiles who heard Sul- daughter of Moses Levi, der Musik.” In his criti- For Sulzer, however, he zer. To them, his song who had changed his cal remarks, he was sup- had glowing praise and and singing were some- name in 1812 to Carl ported by his father-in- admiration. As an thing foreign, un- Hirschfeld. At the time law, Franz Liszt. Liszt, “Asiatic genius,” he con- German, and un- of his death, Sulzer was however, took a selec- sidered him unique and European. The same survived by four sons, tive approach in his ut- original in his art form. opinion was shared even Julius, Emil, Carl and terances. While he re- (From Franz Liszt by assimilated Jews Joseph. His surviving spected Jews for their “Judenthum in der whose Jewish senti- daughters were Marie, knowledge, talent and Musik” April 2, 1859) ments had dwindled to a Hermine, Henriette, intelligence, he accused Liszt writes in his fa- minimum while Jews Rosalie, Rachel, Fran- them of having taken mous work, “The Gyp- from the ghetto - un- ziska (Fanny) and Au- over the press sies:” “Only once we wit- touched by foreign influ- gusta. Predeceased (newspapers), the nessed what real Judaic ence - were over- were Hermann (2 years), banks, and even in the art could be if the Israel- whelmed by his powerful who died in 1831, Ber- field of art (Kunst), and ites would have poured and sweet voice and in- tha, who died in 1836, he referred specifically out their suppressed spiring rendition, but Sophie, who died in to music. “They have passions and sentiments were unaffected by the 1885, Klara, who was never known how art, and revealed the glow of Jewishness of Sulzer. To born in 1834, Caroline, thanks to inspiration cre- their fire in the art forms them, he was a wonder- born in 1837, and Theo- ates, because art is of their Asiatic genius, in ful singer only. They dor, born in 1839. Schaffen (to produce, to its full pomp and fantasy considered his music create).” “There is a dif- and dreams - that hot galchish (church style) Four of his children had ference between genius fire which they kept so and by no means Jewish. musical careers: Henri- and talent: Between carefully hidden and ette and Marie, who Bach and Mendelssohn, they covered with ashes Sulzer officiated at his were opera singers, the between Beethoven and that it should appear synagogue for the last latter later became a Meyerbeer.” “The Israel- cold. In Vienna we knew time on April 2, 1881 professor of music; ites have never created the famous tenor Sulzer, and retired at the age of Julius had the title new forms, because they who served in capacity 77. His eyesight, ac- K.K .Hof-Kapellmeister created neither separate of precentor in the syna- cording to his son Jo- (music director); Joseph forms of architecture, gogue, and whose seph, had considerably was first a solo cellist In Touch Page 14

S ALOMON S ULZER (Continued from page 13) Ein Komocho is even and to set it in musical four-part singing, con- sung there. forms.” But, his music sisting of boys with the K.K. Hof-Oper did not reflect the forms (soprano and alto) and in 1892, became, In his publication and modulations of East- and men (tenor and music director and as “Jewish Music - In His- ern European chazza- bass). In this innova- such directed the choirs tory and Development,” nim. As Idelsohn noted tion, however, Israel of the Vienna Kultusge- Abraham Idelsohn has in this respect, it was Lovy of Paris pre- meinde. devoted a number of due to the fact that be- ceded him in 1822. pages to Sulzer and his fore coming to Vienna,  He overemphasized In his commemoration music - from a positive Sulzer was cantor in a the phase of exulta- after Sulzer’s death in to a negative angle. small community in tion and holiness in Vienna’s Stadtempel, While Sulzer pointed out western Austria the Synagogue song, Prediger Jellinek con- in his Shir Zion that his (Hohenems) where East- neglecting the no cluded his remarks: purpose was to recreate ern European chaz- less important emo- “Salomon Sulzer, Song- the traditional songs, zanuth was unknown. tional strain, the sen- master Zions, songrich Idelsohn noted that Sul- But, as Idelsohn wrote, timental note in the Levite, you have glorified zer reshaped them. But Sulzer brought “dignity Jewish song, an im- God on Earth through he also pointed out that of the song and dignity portant feature in your voice, through your Sulzer avoided all the of the singer.” Semitic-Oriental mu- songs and through Shir embellishments which sic. Due to the lack Zion.” he considered tasteless Sulzer was a very proud of that element, Sul- and go mostly back to person and as a cantor zer’s music and style On the 100th anniversary the 18th century. Fur- he wanted to be ac- makes an exalted but of Sulzer’s death on thermore, he avoided knowledged as equal to cold impression upon January 17, 1990, Aus- repetitions of words that the rabbi, but in this re- the pious Orthodox trian radio devoted a so many chazzanim em- spect, he did not suc- Jew, though in a few program about Sulzer’s ployed. ceed. pieces, he touches life and the Austrian the deepest Jewish Post Office printed a Most of Sulzer’s compo- Sulzer’s positive contri- emotions. special stamp for the sitions are written in the butions, as Idelsohn de- anniversary. major key. He also scribed them, come un- In his preface in “Shir made use of the recita- der the following divi- Zion,” he pointed out that Sulzer’s Music tive form, a musical sions: “harmony is a cheerful reading more nearly ap-  His form of expres- art” and that sadness As an early composer in proaching speaking than sion distinguishes cuts off the wings of the the 19th century and due singing (a sample is one itself by a brevity and spirit, and Israel’s martyr- to his many students, he of his V’shomru compo- conciseness similar dom, to his mind pre- had the advantage that sitions). to the ancient He- vented the creation of a his Shir Zion was avail- brew style. musical art. able in print and could Sulzer paid little atten-  No lyrical melodies serve as a guide for his tion to Eastern European of playful character It was not so much the students. To this day, chazzanuth, although he occur, his melodic music that convinced the his music is sung not did say in Shir Zion II: “I line always being people, as the manner only in Europe, but also paid attention to even serious and digni- and the marvelous in the rest of the world, the Polish song, i.e., the fied. beauty of rendition, especially his Torah ser- traditional modes of the  He was the first to which fascinated and vice. While later in the Jews in Eastern Europe, base the Synagogue bewitched them, accord- 19th century, in so far as it presented song on classical ing to Idelsohn. Lewandowski overtook real individual character- harmony and style. Sulzer in Germany, his istics, seeking to utilize it  He further intro- in its original features, duced the regular (Continued on page 15) Page 15 Volume 13 S ALOMON S ULZER (Continued from page 14) that time in his nineties When Sulzer recom- Salomon Sulzer, Kantor - His use of recitatives and living in Duessel- mended such innova- Komponist - Reformer. was not always accepted dorf, for preparing him tions, he was not un- Katalog zur Ausstellung in congregational sing- for his profession. He aware of what happened des Landes Vorarlberg, ing, especially in Ameri- spoke words of gratitude in Berlin and Budapest. 1991. can congregations. As for Prediger Mannheimer The new large syna- an example, “Baruch (who died in 1865) and gogue that opened in Kantor Salomon Sulzer shenatan Torah” in the their cooperation begin- 1865 in Berlin contained und seine Zeit - Hanoch Torah service is mostly ning with the early years an organ. The Jewish Avenary in Gemeinschaft sung in the same tune of their service. Congress in Budapest in mit Walter Pass, und as the preceding “Ki Mi 1868 ended in dishar- Nikolaus Vielmetti, mit Ziyon,” not as recitative. Sulzer was obviously dis- mony and a schism. The Beitrag vou Israel Adler, turbed when members results were three for- 1985. During his 50 years in of the congregation sang mations: Neolog office as cantor, he was too hastily and before (conservative) syna- Jewish Music - Its Histori- able to observe changes the voice of the cantor gogue groups, Orthodox cal Development, Abra- in the ritual in the syna- was heard synagogue groups and ham Idelsohn, 1992. gogues of other coun- (“Vorintonierung”). For third “status quo ante” tries. Neither he nor this reason, he recom- synagogues. The latter Die Geschichte der Mannheimer nor Jellinek mended the use of an retained their old ritual. Juden in Hohenems, were able to make any organist who would also In the second half of the Aron Taenzer, 1971. changes in the ritual be- be choir director. He 19th century, new Jewish cause the Viennese Jew- cites the old objections composers arrived at the Das Wiener Ghetto, Sein ish community and its to the use of an organ scene: Lewandowski in Haeuser und Seine Be- leaders did not want to but considers them no Berlin, Naumbourg in wohner, Dr. Ignatz offend people and in- longer valid. “Only the Paris, Hirsch Weintraub Schwarz, 1909. sisted to retain the organ is in the position in Koenigsberg and, status quo as Einheits- to guide and regulate later, Emanuel Kirschner Die Wiener Geserah vom gemende. the communal songs in Munich and David Jahre 1421, Samuel and cover up wrong Nowakowski in Odessa. Krauss, 1920.  At the age of 72, Sulzer tunes...” (As previously So outside of the Monar- composed a pages-long mentioned, the Viennese chy, Sulzer’s influence Denkschrift community ignored this began to fade some- (memorandum) ad- proposal.) what, but he is not for- dressed to the Viennese The second proposal gotten. Jewish community was the possible elimi------(March 26, 1876). Re- nation of certain prayers, Sources and references: ferring to his 50 years in also disregarded by the office, he felt it his duty community. 150 Jahre Wiener Stad- to speak about the past ftempel. Salbstverlag years to give the younger The next consideration der Israelitischen Kultus generation some idea he favored was in the zemeinde Wien, 1976. about the developments modification of the Torah Das Oesterreichische over those years. At the reading, although he is Judentum, Voraus- same time, he was mak- not specific. However, setzungur und ing recommendations for he did favor the omis- Geschichte, Drabek, the future. In his re- sion of blessings during Haeusler, Schubert, marks, he expressed his the Torah reading (Mi Stuhlpfarrer, Vielmetti, thanks to the cantor of Sheberach), which Sul- 1974. his youth in Hohenems, zer found distractive. Salomon Eichberg, at In Touch Page 16 The Jewish Museum of Hohenems, as a regional museum, remembers the rural Jewish com- The Newsletter of the munity of Hohenems and its various contributions to the development of Vorarlberg and the American Friends of the surrounding regions. It confronts contemporary questions of Jewish life and culture in Europe, the diaspora and Israel - questions of the future of Europe I N T OUCH between migration and tradition. I S S N : 1 5 5 9 - 4866 The museum also deals with the end of the community of Hohenems, the regional Nazi his- tory, the expulsion or deportation of the last members of the com- munity, anti-Semitism and the Holocaust. Along with these frag- mented lines of regional and global history, it is also devoted to the people and their histories and maintains a relationship to the descendants of Jewish families in Hohenems around the world.

The permanent exhibition in the Heimann-Rosenthal Villa, which was built in 1864, documents the history of the Jewish community in Hohenems which existed for over three centuries until its destruc- tion during the era of the Nazi re- gime. The museum offers annually changing exhibitions and an exten- sive program of events. 

J OIN U S . . . We’re on the Web! B ECOME A M EMBER AND L ET’ S K EEP I N T OUCH ! http://www.jm-hohenems.at

During the first meeting of the of Hohenems in various ways. much appreciated and thus descendants of Jewish fami- Annual dues are $25. We enable the American Friends lies from Hohenems in 1998, hope to count on you to join to continue to make impor- the idea to found the Ameri- today. Dues can be sent to: tant contributions to the Mu- can Friends of the Jewish seum at Hohenems as well as Museum Hohenems, Inc. PO Box 237 to other endeavors designed emerged. The association Moorestown, NJ 08057-0237 to contribute to knowledge of unites the numerous descen- the Hohenems Jewish Com- dants living in America and munity as it was when our Any additional contribution supports the Jewish Museum ancestors lived there.  you could make would be very