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The Newsletter of the American Friends Volume 12 of the Jewish Museum Hohenems, Inc. September 2011 I N T OUCH

S EPTEMBER 2 0 1 1

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

Dear Friends, and tell us that the mu-

seum saved their life. This newsletter marks two Yet few people have the Stephan Rollin significant milestones in opportunity to do any- Founder the history of the Jewish thing as dramatic as Museum Hohenems. save a life. Still, we Francesca Brunner-Kennedy First, Otto Amann, foun- must do what we can, [email protected] President der of the Jewish Museum where we can. While Hohenems and former anti-Semitism, racism, Claude Rollin, Esq. mayor of Hohenems, died religious persecution, Vice-President on 18 February. It was sexism, and intolerance Uri Taenzer, Esq. his idea to save the dilapi- exist, we must fight them is one of only three Jew- Secretary-Treasurer dated villa in the narrow with what tools we have. ish museums in Austria. old Jewish street that now It carries an enormous T RUSTEES Dr. Robert Amler houses the museum so In Kurt Greussing’s pres- responsibility. Because Nicole M. Angiel beautifully. He will be entation at the jubilee, he we descendants are often Ronald Bernell missed by his family, the talked about five Jewish the only reason it garners museum staff, and de- Doris Billes residents of Hohenems in international attention, scendants alike. On a 1940 making one of we have a responsibility Nadia Follman happier note, a glorious those fateful walks to the as well. To nurture it, to Timothy L. Hanford celebration took place in train station. He pon- praise it, to support it in James Hirschfeld Hohenems to honor the dered what their the face of those who Hon. Susan Shimer 20th anniversary of the neighbors did. Did they question its mission, to Harry Weil, Jr. museum’s opening on rejoice; did they hide in- shine a larger light on it Monica Wollner April 10, 1991. If, like side; did they speak en- than a small museum in me, you wish you could couragements? And then Vorarlberg would nor- have been there for the he asked the question: mally get. We must make In Touch Editors: July jubilee, please enjoy what would we do? If the sure it is there for an- Susan Shimer Uri Taenzer’s trip report. museum makes only a other 20 years to influ- Nicole Angiel handful of people ask ence another generation. This issue left me wonder- that question, who would Please send your In Touch articles to ing whether the world had not have otherwise, I Best wishes to you all for our editors changed in the last 20 think we have made the health and happiness, Susan Shimer years because of the mu- world a better place. 16 Pond Lane seum. Are we all making Francesca Brunner- Armonk, NY 10504 the world a better place Though ―our‖ museum is Kennedy [email protected] by supporting it? I doubt tucked into a small cor- President, American or that anyone will come ner of the world where Friends of the Jewish Nicole Angiel forward years from now few tourists will see it, it Museum Hohenems 1001 Clark Way Palo Alto, CA 94304 [email protected] Page 2 Volume 12

M ORE THAN 25 Y EARS - T HE H ISTORY OF THE M USEUM D R . H ANNO L OEWY

This essay appeared in the those who have made it an open- Festschrift, the program for possible for Hohenems to ness that, the celebration of the 20th become a place signifying at the time, Anniversary of the Mu- something we can be was by no seum’s opening. It was proud of. means self translated into English by -evident. To the author. This Museum comes as the what ex- result of an already long- tent should 1991: It did not take long standing passion, an exis- the exam- and Hohenems became a tential concern to tell this ples of fe- frequent subject of conver- story of the Jews of licitous sation. Between Vienna and Hohenems. A wide range of coexis- Frankfurt, people talked people were the driving tence be about the recently opened forces behind it all: citizens empha- Museum in the small town of a community with a rich sized and located in the Austrian independent history, which to what Rhine Valley; and about the had just been granted the extent miracle that had occurred privileges of a town; schol- could every- Hanno Loewy shown here speaking at the there: a Jewish museum ars and enthusiastic lay- day anti- opening of the Museum’s 2010 Mikvah exhibit openly addressing all those persons who wished to Semitism, which, after all, The young Museum did not questions that had been recall a positive image of existed in Hohenems like possess a collection of its rather avoided by the, albeit this Jewish past and of everywhere else, be ad- own. To a large extent, one few, Jewish museums in coexistence in this place; dressed? Should the Mu- had to rely on official re- Europe that existed then; and a new generation of seum, like others, acquaint cords found in the state first and foremost the ques- historians who had begun the audience with Jewish and municipal archives. tion of who was actually to ask critical questions life, even with Jewish relig- Yet, unlike ten years be- speaking here, to whom, regarding the state’s his- ion in general? Or was not fore, when initial attempts and with whom. tory, questions also ad- precisely that a generaliz- to establish a Jewish mu- dressing the abyss beneath ing look at ―the alien,‖ a seum in Hohenems had In 1994, I had been fortu- the seeming Hohenems look that would fail to take remained stuck in political nate enough to open an idyll. Finally, a third, seriously Jewish experience trenches, all those contra- exhibition in Hohenems, a younger generation joined, in its concreteness, also in dictions and quite ada- show that we had sent on young cultural scientists the concreteness of place mantly fought battles over its way from Frankfurt. The who dealt with Jewish his- and people here in interpretation could not visit to Hohenems turned tory, with the Hebrew lan- Hohenems, but would diminish one fact: a shared out to be significant. At the guage, and the contradic- rather reproduce stereo- interest by all, by almost all time, of course, I had no tions of Jewish culture— types? sides anyway, that this idea how much so. But the and who translated the story must be told—in a atmosphere in the Villa evident polarization into Should the community’s public space. Heimann-Rosenthal and the new concrete inquiries into end during National Social- energy, sincerity, and hu- the Jewish history of ism be emphasized or Despite all differences, the mor that could be sensed Hohenems. rather its long history be- museum association was there, the intense communi- fore that? And finally: how able to combine the most cation between the people Thus, an intense, openly- should the fact be dealt different forces, to unite who carried and still carry held dispute preceded the with that the material wit- the most different individu- this Museum, all left behind resounding opening of the nesses of Jewish life, the als. The Museum was al- a deep impression. Museum and its first per- traces of religious tradi- ready before its opening manent exhibition in April tions in any case, had not much more than a Mu- Today we celebrate the his- 1991. On the highest level survived National Socialism seum; it was a focus of tory of a Museum whose of discussion, fundamental any more than had the few political culture for the en- success has come thanks questions concerning the Hohenems Jews who had tire state, the stage for to the contributions of a representation of Jewish remained in Hohenems debates that were about great many individuals. To- history in a museum set- after 1938? fundamental issues, about day we pay tribute to all ting were deliberated with (Continued on page 3) In Touch Page 3

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(Continued from page 2) just waited for that mo- ety’s guest room. Instead, crete individuals in this the relationship between ment. the Jewish Museum place, on the relationship the ―native‖ and the Hohenems perceived them between majority and mi- ―alien.‖ Here, time and Without Mayor Otto Amann, as people who see their nority, on the contradictions again, it was emphasized who in the mid-80s brought future in Austria and who of coexistence. Of course, that this was a Jewish Mu- to bear all his personal bring along their religious compromises had been seum that had been estab- weight, his authority, but and cultural traditions and made in the Museum. After lished by non-Jews for non- also his innermost convic- rightly claim acceptance of all, the subject of religion Jews. Well, that had not tions and feelings, this them. With the publication had landed in a space been entirely true from the place, this Museum would Emser Halbmond (Ems where in a rather uncon- start, and today it certainly not have received the crescent), the Museum nected manner a concrete is no longer true. Among space it was finally able to performed pioneering work discussion of the various the first activists were also occupy in 1991. A profes- toward ―integration‖ with functions of the Hohenems people whose own family sionally established, acceptance and participa- rabbis was facing a rather history included Jewish equipped, and operated tion—thereby taking up a traditional staging of a To- experience. And it is no museum, which could per- question that had accom- rah scroll (with borrowed coincidence that precisely mit itself something, that panied the Museum on a decorations that lacked any the Jewish museums—not is, the freedom not to limit subliminal level ever since connection to the history of only in Hohenems—are itself to processing the its establishment: the Hohenems). The exhibi- nowadays examining and past, but also to look at the question of the role of the tion’s design, which pre- putting up for discussion present. Already two years Jewish Museum in a pre- sented Villa Heimann- the diversity of possible after its opening, the Mu- sent that is characterized Rosenthal both as an upper Jewish connections , seum, together with the by new minorities, new -class dwelling with an air of ―identities,‖ and ―cultures‖ City of Hohenems and the traditions seeking accep- opulence and as an aban- beyond religious tradition. project KultUrSprünge, tance—and new resent- doned space, confronted focused on a topic that ments. the visitors with their own The Jewish Museum until then hardly any Mu- invasion of a private sphere Hohenems, too, has long seum in the German- In 1991, one of the most that had been violently de- since found its Jewish audi- speaking world had taken intelligent exhibitions on stroyed after 1938. Yet, not ence, even if it might not seriously. Immigrants were Jewish history in Europe all visitors wanted to ac- exactly be the kind of audi- still regarded as ―guest opened, told by focusing in knowledge this dimension. ence that finds its fulfill- workers,‖ they were rele- an almost provokingly mod- Many enjoyed the pre- ment mainly in religious gated, so to speak, to soci- est manner on the con- served upper-class furnish- practice. Among them were ings of the parlor, the only soon enough also people tangible three-dimensional who felt connected to exhibits representing past Hohenems in a special life. Thus, numerous reac- way, that is, the descen- tions reflected the tension dants of the Jewish fami- between the shock over the lies who often had become Holocaust and the satisfac- ―citizens of the world‖ as tion of seeing how well Jews early as the 19th century. had lived. Marriage migration had linked them already early It was the fascination of the on to the Jewish communi- abandoned villa, which the- ties between Lengnau and matically took up the fears Buchau, between Gailingen of entering a place and at and Augsburg, then be- the same time was meant tween Trieste and Vienna, to reduce them. In Meran and Zurich, Paris, Hohenems began, with the London and Livorno, even Museum’s opening, a proc- between the USA and the ess of recovering history Ottoman Empire. It seems that took hold of ever wid- as if the descendants of ening circles here. There the Hohenems Jews had Otto Amann with Kurt Bollag (Continued on page 4) Page 4 Volume 12

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(Continued from page 3) looked for precisely this: a cemetery association central part of the Jewish were projects to create relaxed, frequently even around Kurt Bollag and the Museum’s community in a inventories of the remain- ironic dealing with conflicts Burgauer family, which way that is rare in other ing structural witnesses in and with fundamental so- since 1954 had for a long Museums. Through them, the former Jewish Quarter cietal issues concerning time been the only bridge this self-assured Hohenems and at the Jewish Ceme- historical awareness and between the descendants Diaspora, but also through tery, but especially the pro- coexistence of people with and the town. It was Felix the devotion of people from ject ―Ein Viertel Stadt― (one different histories. Not al- Jaffé-Brunner whose insis- the region who want to as- quarter city) and the inter- ways in the mainstream, tence on this connection sure the preservation of the ventions in the urban but with a refined sense for brought about the launch- traces of memories, the space, which—with high what connects people, this ing of a decisive project in Museum has become a visual appeal and intelli- house was able to become 1998: the Hohenems De- gathering place, a custo- gent irritations—directed a meeting place of another scendants’ Meeting brought dian of remembrance that, the gaze toward the Jewish kind: neither to cultivate here families whose links multiply entwined, history of the houses and shock nor a naive multicul- with Hohenems were al- ―belongs‖ in the final analy- their former inhabitants: turalism, but rather to de- ready centuries old—and sis to all, yet to no one ex- with all these highly com- velop the feel for and the which had not ended when clusively. municative, the population interest in the potential most of the Hohenems Jews involving projects, the Mu- that lies precisely in dis- left the place as early as the When I came to Hohenems seum succeeded in turning cords around conflicting 19th century, as migrants in 2004, in a felicitous mo- a largely taboo topic into a heritages and traditions. looking for a better life as ment, a lot was ripe that we crystallizing point for a new urban self-confidence Already, a few whose significance for a months after its revitalization of the city is opening, the Mu- becoming truly apparent seum developed maybe only now. innovative educa- tional activities of Initially, bitter losses had to a kind rarely be suffered as well. In the found in muse- early 1990s, the old Bern- ums at the time. heimer house probably From the start, became a victim of arson. the Austrian Fed- But since the opening of eral Government the Museum, new attention supported them has been directed toward as exemplary the center of Hohenems: practice. This houses are now being educational work renovated with attention to was not only historical detail and with geared toward interest in what can be told typical visitor about their history; new groups and uses are looked for and schools, but also found. toward appren- tices and thus At the same time, the Mu- toward everyday seum itself became a place life in an industrial Brunner family descendants Lisette Bunner, Felix Jaffé, Lily and Teddy of public political culture— environment character- Reitlinger, and Hedwig Wahle (from left to right) visiting the Hohenems within the state and be- ized by migration. cemetery, April 1991 yond. Its location, remote from metropolises and at The first descendants of so many had done before were eventually able to reap the same time in the cen- Hohenems Jews had al- and after them. in the past seven years. ter of German-speaking ready come here for the After many years, during Europe, made it possible to Museum’s opening; not In the meantime, the de- which the Museum bring together people who only the members of the scendants have become a (Continued on page 5) In Touch Page 5

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(Continued from page 4) Rosenthal. From guests in the traces of definitely went through an abandoned house, we this experi- some crises, the funding evolved into custodians of ence also in body has been newly de- an auratic place. Part of its personal fined in the course of an unique atmosphere is pre- documents active round of negotia- cisely the opportunity to and objects, tions. With the new estab- not only tell about the po- we were now lishment of the funding larity of destruction and able to newly body in 2002, with the by good life, but also about inquire into now also formal co- the numerous contradic- the signifi- responsibility of the State tions, nuances, and alter- cance of Jew- natives, about ish traditions the questions and religious unanswered by practices. As history, to a resource which only we for the reality ourselves can of a life daily provide a marked both new answer. by loss and acquisition of Gathering at 2008 Descendents Reunion, Instead of just a homeland, in photo courtesy of Tim Hanford telling a story the context of that inevitably a historically changing Le- devoted their hearts and results in the benswelt (lifeworld), also minds to assure the suc- destruction of the seemingly unshakable cess of this experiment. life and life forms of religious life ap- People were needed who context, we can pear in a completely differ- contributed their stories, now also give ent light: changeable and documents, genealogies, an account of negotiable. and objects from their own Jewish experi- experience as descendants, ence that For this new exhibition, we but also as refugees and points beyond needed a great number of escape agents, as Dis- Hohenems and storytellers: a curator who placed Persons and as beyond 1945: weaved the various Hohenems ―natives.‖ And, to the experi- threads into a narrative of course, the numerous Stephan Rollin and Otto Amann, circa 2001 ences of a Jew- web; architects and design- individuals were needed ish history ers who found in the glass who helped us gather the of Vorarlberg, and with the marked by migration and skin of a large showcase, in necessary resources for this appointment of a first-rate Diaspora. Part of this his- which the villa’s rooms new beginning. scientific advisory board, tory are those individuals themselves became an the foundations were laid who spent their lives in exhibit, and in the wealth What keeps all of this to- for a Museum that is se- Hohenems in poverty as of perspectives a suitable gether and alive is the heri- cure in the long term and well as the upper-class form to turn visitors into tage of a headstrong com- whose independence is owners of the Villa active subjects of their sto- munity of citizens of the confirmed. Following the Heimann-Rosenthal, part of ries; and finally also a world who have lost their establishment of the new this history is life in this writer and an artist who hearts to a small town in funding body, the Museum place, but also the migra- designed a tour for chil- the Austrian Rhine Valley association has turned into tory paths into the world as dren, which has turned the long time ago. And whose a dedicated development well as the inquiry into life Museum into a very special valuable heritage nourishes association. patterns and social organi- place for very young people our ideas of a world, in zation in transnational net- and their families. which people approach The Museum was now able works as are nowadays each other with respect, to take the next step with common practice. Employees were needed even when they seem self-confidence as well as who were prepared to show ―alien‖ to each other, and to newly define its role in With our own growing col- commitment beyond nor- with curiosity about each the Villa Heimann- lection, which documents mal expectations and who other.  Page 6 Volume 12

C HRONOLOGY - T HE M USEUM ’ S H ISTORY IN S UMMARY July 11,1951 member Hohenems’ Jew- of Jews in is presented in Bregenz The Berlin Chief Cantor, ish history by means of a Hohenems‖ (Meran on the 50th anniversary Magnus Davidson, who Jewish museum. 1905) is published, con- of the death of Rabbi Aron emigrated to London, taining essays by Karl Tänzer, organized by the President of the 1976 Heinz Burmeister about Vorarlberg State Archive "Allgemeine Deutsche During the first the Jews in Vorarlberg in in cooperation with the Kantorenverband‖ (The ―Schubertiade‖ Festival in the Middle Ages and Nor- City Archives of Göppin- German Cantor Associa- Hohenems, Hermann Prey bert Peter about anti- gen. tion), sends a letter to the installs a plaque com- Semitism in Hohenems. mayor of Hohenems and memorating cantor Salo- 1988 asks that a memorial in mon Sulzer at Sulzer’s 1983 This year marks the publi- memory of Salomon Sulzer birthplace in Hohenems. The market town of cation of the ―Documents and the Jewish victims of Hohenems is elevated to of the History of Jews in the Holocaust from 1977 the city of Hohenems and Vorarlberg from the 17th Hohenems be installed in The ―Schubertiade‖ and acquires the former Villa to the 19th Century‖ by the synagogue, and ex- the Vienna Philharmonic Heimann-Rosenthal. With Karl Heinz Burmeister presses opposition to a Orchestra organize the this acquisition, urban and Alois Niederstätter; it possible secular use of the first exhibition in the renewal in the historic included documents from building. premises of the former center is initiated. The the collections of the Villa Heimann-Rosenthal; future use of the reno- Hohenems Palace Ar- 1954 it is dedicated to the Vien- vated villa has yet to be chives. The Association for the nese cellist and composer decided. Preservation of Jewish (and member of the Vi- 1988 Cemetery in Hohenems is enna Philharmonic Or- Nov. 30, 1986 Roland Gnaiger is en- founded by Kurt Bollag chestra) Joseph Sulzer, a The ―Jewish Museum trusted with the restora- and Willi Burgauer; since son of Salomon Sulzer. Hohenems Association‖ is tion of the Villa Heimann- then the association has founded. Mayor Otto Rosenthal and adapts the taken care of the preser- 1980 Amann is an enthusiastic historic building through vation of the Jewish ceme- A first initiative to install a advocate of the project. careful arcitectural inter- tery with great dedication. Jewish museum in the Beginning in 1984, impe- ventions and renovations The cemetery is still in use former Jewish School of tus for this project came throughout, so that it can today. Hohenems is made by from several enthusiasts become a museum. architect Elisabeth Rüdis- of Jewish history through- 1954-1955 ser. out Austria, such as the 1989 The Hohenems synagogue Hohenems Cultural Circle Kurt Greussing is author- is turned into a fire station 1982 headed by Hugo Loacker, ized to develop a mu- by the municipality of The ―Johann-August-Malin the critical historians from seum concept and to start Hohenems. The Jewish Society‖ for the Study of the ―Johann August Malin research with his team, to Community of Tyrol and Contemporary History Society‖ (founded in find objects and docu- Vorarlberg sells their prop- Vorarlberg is founded in 1982 in order to examine ments for a permanent erty in Hohenems, which Bregenz. The society pub- the history of Vorarlberg exhibition. The director of had been restored to them lishes critical studies in the 20th century), the the Vorarlberg State Ar- only a few years earlier. about the history of head of the Vorarlberg chives, Karl Heinz Bur- Vorarlberg, concentrating State Archive, Karl Heinz meister, who had pub- Feb. 21,1973 mostly on taboo subjects, Burmeister, and Kunrich lished several studies on In an article entitled such as anti-Semitism Gehrer, the former head the Jewish history in the ―Vorarlberg’s forgotten and the popularity of Na- of the Vorarlberg Admini- Lake Constance area, Jews‖ published in the zism in Vorarlberg. stration for Culture. serves as academic direc- ―Neue Vorarlberger tor of the project. In au- Tageszeitung‖, Kurt 1982 1987 tumn 1990, the project Greussing, following a sug- The second reprint (first An exhibition (―Rabbi Aron team, now including Bern- gestion by Arnulf Häfele, in 1971) of the work of Tänzer – Scholar and Phi- hard Purin, Eva Grabherr, makes a proposal to re- Aron Tånzer, ―The history lanthropist, 1871-1937‖) (Continued on page 7) In Touch Page 7

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(Continued from page 6) the permanent collection; issues and daily concerns 1997 these make clear that of life are regularly pub- Gerhard Lacha receives Sabine Folie and Sabine there were conflicting lished. the ―Henry Ford European Fuchs, begins work on ways of remembering the Conservation Award‖ for the creation of the exhibi- Jewish history in 1994 the restoration of the El- tion; architect Elsa Pro- Hohenems. The Museum starts col- kan house. In the follow- chazka and staff in Vi- lecting historical and pho- ing years, several houses enna who had been ap- 1991 tographic documentation in the former Jewish quar- pointed to develop the The Jewish Museum re- of the Jewish cemetery, ter are carefully restored. interior and exhibition ceives the Austrian Mu- prepared by Arno Gis- design of the museum seum Prize. inger, Sabine Folie and Aug. 13-16, 1998 comence their work as Werner Häfele, as well as Initiated by Felix Jaffé- well. The design studio A. October 1991 research in the history of Brunner the first reunion & H. Haller (Vienna) is The Jewish Museum the Hohenems Jewish- of the descendants of responsible for the Hohenems – as one of owned houses by Hans Hohenems Jews takes graphic design. the first museums in Aus- Gruber and Sabine Folie. place in Hohenems. The tria – installs a profes- The results form the ba- reunion is organized by October 1990 sional department for sis for extensive online the Museum in collabora- Eva Grabherr is ap- museum education to databases. tion with Felix Jaffé- pointed the first director meet the museum’s visi- Brunner, Yves Bollag- of the Jewish Museum. tors’ need for sensitive June-October 1995 Landauer and Stefan The funding for the Mu- and innovative educa- Together with the Mu- Rollin-Rosenthal. About seum is provided primar- tional work; that work is seum, Arno Gisinger and 170 participants from all ily by the city of headed initially by Bruno Roland Stecher design over the world attend. Hohenems, with subsi- Winkler, then by Helmut the project ―Ein Viertel dies from the State of Schlatter and later by Stadt‖ (―A quarter of the 1998 Vorarlberg. The establish- Tanja Fuchs. The educa- city‖), that utilizes a vari- Stefan Rollin-Rosenthal, ment of the permanent tion department of the ety of installations together with other de- exhibition is also sup- Museum is provided regu- (―Illuminated Houses‖ scendants, organizes The ported by the Federal lar funds by the Federal and ―Viewing Stations‖) in American Friends of the Government in Vienna Governement in Vienna public space. The project Jewish Museum and the province of Tyrol. (Ministry of Education initiates both wide and Hohenems in the U.S. A and Culture). locally based discussions regular newsletter, edited January 1991 about the traces of Jew- by Susan Rosenthal Bernhard Purin organizes, January 1993 ish history in the city and Shimer, publishes biogra- on behalf of the Jewish The project ―Emser Half the future of the historic phies and family stories Museum of Vienna and Moon,‖ inspired by Johan- center of Hohenems. as well as news about the the State of Vorarlberg, nes Lusser, chairman of Museum's activities and an exhibition, ―Salomon the 'guest workers' com- 1996 historical essays. The Sulzer. Cantor, Com- mittee of the city of Esther Haber is ap- Friends support projects poser, Reformer,‖ which Hohenems, is initiated by pointed Museum Director of the Museum with their is shown in Vienna and at the City of Hohenems, the as successor to Eva Grab- donations. various locations in the State of Vorarlberg herr. Under their aegis, U.S., Britain and Ger- (project ―KultUrSprünge‖) the Jewish survivors who Jan. 15,1999 many. and the Jewish Museum. lived in Hohenems after Thomas Krapf follows Monthly supplements to 1945 as displaced per- Esther Haber as Director Oct. 4,1991 the local community sons, were made the sub- of the Museum. Conflicts The Jewish Museum newspaper of Hohenems ject of an exhibition for arise regarding various Hohenems is opened to and the region relating to the first time. The re- projects of the Museum, the public. information and discus- search of Thomas Albrich between the Museum's There were many argu- sions about Turkish mi- and Erik Weltsch also is management and board, ments prior to the open- grants, their cultural and publicly presented. as well as between the ing about the concept of religious traditions, social Director and the Mu- Page 8 Volume 12

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(Continued from page 7) 2003 Marlena Tänzer, from Jewish existence in An academic advisory New Jersey, in the Salo- Hohenems and the subse- seum’s staff. Particularly board is established to mon Sulzer Auditorium,. quent history of the controversial is the plan provide professional sup- Hohenems Diaspora. The to participate in the pres- port for the Museum's May 21-27, 2006 20th Century is given entation of the management and board. Official opening of the more space, enabling the ―Wehrmacht exhibition‖ Salomon Sulzer Audito- Museum to present video of the ―Hamburg Institute October 2002 rium. The former syna- installations about escape of Social Studies‖ in Otto Amann, the former gogue was partially recon- stories between 1938 and Vorarlberg. mayor instrumental in the structed in 2003 in a 1945 and the memories founding of the Museum, joint project of the mu- and views of descendants Jan. 7, 2000 is appointed Honorary nicipality and Gerhard around the world. For an Johannes Inama as- President of the Associa- Lacha, following plans of increasingly international sumes interim leadership tion. Ada and Reinhard audience a multilingual of the Museum. Rinderer. The building audio system is integrated Jan 1, 2004 now houses the music into the exhibition. Finally, October 2001 Hanno Loewy is ap- school ―Tonart.‖ the new exhibition also The Board of the Mu- pointed the new Director contains a children's exhi- seum Association ap- of the Museum. Apr. 29, 2007 bition, presenting images proves the Museum’s The newly constructed and stories by Monika new ―mission.‖ That mis- 2004 permanent exhibition of Helfer and Barbara sion had been elaborated The Hohenems' ―Reading the Jewish Museum Steinitz, which gets across and extensively dis- Society of 1813‖ is rees- Hohenems opens. Since the story of the Hohenems cussed by a group of em- tablished. 2005, the Museum’s Jews to younger people. ployees, board members team has developed, to- and external academic 2005 gether with Vienna based 2007 advisors to develop a The museum’s cafe is exhibition curator Hannes The City of Hohenems and consensus about the Mu- reopened in cooperation Sulzenbacher, architects the State of Vorarlberg seum’s function and with the Reading Society. Erich Steinmayer arrange funding of the goals. (Feldkirch) and Friedrich Museum in equal parts. June 2005 Mascher (Vienna) and The Federal funding is sig- October 2002 The new Salomon Sulzer design studio Stecher nificantly increased. The The sponsorship of the Auditorium, constructed (Götzis), a new core exhi- Museum still has to obtain Jewish Museum is reor- in the former fire house, bition, devoted to the one-third of its budget ganized. The previous which was originally the evolving interest in the through its own revenues Museum’s association is Synagogue, is used for significance of Migration and from sponsors and changed into a Verein, an the first time – for a sab- and Diaspora in the donors. ―association of friends.‖ bath service for Jewish Hohemems Jewish his- The Museum is now con- students from Austria, tory. July 31-Aug.3, 2008 trolled by a Board, which Germany and Switzer- More than 130 descen- includes represenatives land. Questions about the ever dants from all over the of the City of Hohenems, changing interpretations world participate in the the State of Vorarlberg October 2005 of Jewish religion, the second Hohenemser Re- and the ―Verein zur On the occasion of the discourse about the union, organized by the Förderung des Jüdischen 200th Birthday of Salo- meaning of laws, rituals Museum together with Museums Hohenems‖ mon Sulzer, on 17 Octo- and festivals and the ten- Luisa de Winne-Brunner and secures the Mu- ber, the Museum organ- sions between tradition and the Descendants’ seum’s future and its in- izes a series of events, a and modernity are now Committee, Pierre Bur- dependence. major exhibition and an considered over time, gauer, Claude Rollin- international cantor’s illustrated by a time line Rosenthal, Nicole Lichter- concert, including Cantor of events that formed the Landauer, Chris Angiel- (Continued on page 9) In Touch Page 9

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(Continued from page 8) in the former mikvah, the of documents, photo- May 2011 ritual Jewish bath, that is graphs and artifacts can With the digitization of its Brunner, Sabine Craston- next to the newly restored now be preserved in an historic photo archives the Danhauser, Robert Amler- old Jewish schoolhouse. appropriate and accessi- Museum secures its col- Rosenthal, Wendy Kauf- The schoolhouse now ble way. lections and their content man-Rosenthal and Peter houses the Moritz restau- by new technologies and Rosenthal-Presinger. rant and the Federmann November 2010 prepares our collection for auditorium, named in After many years of re- global accessibility on the Apr. 26, 2009 honor of Professor Moritz search in family biogra- Internet for the future. The exhibition ―Did you Federmann who brought phies and genealogies at see my Alps? A Jewish the Hohenems Jewish the Jewish Museum July 2, 2011 Love Story‖ opens and school to fame. With Hohenems (by Bernhard With more than 500 turns out to be a major ―Radio Mikwe‖, an inter- Purin, Hans Gruber, Eva- guests from Hohenems, success; it was shown in net based radio pro- Maria Hesche and others) the region and from Hohenems, Vienna, Mu- gramm, the Museum pre- and at the University of abroad, the Museum cele- nich, Schwyz and Meran sents its first ―internet Innsbruck (by Professor brated 25 years of the in the following years. audio exhibition‖, running Thomas Albrich, Niko Hof- Museum association and through March 2011. inger and their students) the 20th anniversary of July 12-17, 2009 the jointly developed ge- the Musuem’s opening. Hohenems hosts the first October 2010 nealogy database is pub- joint international sum- The Museum, in order to lished on the Internet. The Museum is your mu- mer university for Jewish secure its growing collec- More than 11,000 mem- seum, it is as successful Studies (organized by the tion for the future, in- bers of Jewish families and vivid as its commu- universities of Munich, stalls new archival facili- from Hohenems, Vorarl- nity. We hope to share Salzburg, Basel and Vi- ties in the former Kästle berg and Tyrol, with bio- this experience for many enna in collaboration with ski factory in Hohenems. graphical data, migration years to come. the Museum); it has since Since its inception in histories and pedigrees become a regular institu- 1991, the Museum func- are now accessible for In the summer 2017 we tion. tions as a trustee of the research on our Internet will celebrate the 400th family memories, the pho- database. anniversary of the Mar. 7, 2010 tographs and documents, www.hohenemsgenealog Hohenemser Schutzbrief With the exhibition artifacts and memorabilia y.at with the third descen- ―Entirely Pure!‖ the Jewish of many descendants. dants reunion. Stay tuned! Museum opens an annex Bequests and donations 

Below and left: the 20th Anniversary Celebration

Photos courtesy of Marcus Feuerstein Page 10 Volume 12

DESIRED CHILD OR CUCKOO ’S EGG ? – THE ROAD TO THE JEWISH M USEUM HOHENEMS K URT G REUSSING

Presentation on July 2 information, and be- was the "Friedrich 2011, on the occasion of fore leaving the hum- Wurnig Strasse" – the 20th anniversary of ble researcher he named after the the Jewish Museum urged me strongly to young Tyrolean SS- Hohenems. Translated leave Germany. I have man who had shot from German by the au- followed his advice the police com- thor. and survived. Dr. mander of Innsbruck Franz Häfele has in the Nazi putsch of On April 22, 1991, a few saved my life. With my July 1934 and con- days after the opening of recent visit to the Jew- sequently was sen- the Jewish Museum, a ish Museum, I now tenced to death by short reader's letter ap- probably have finally an Austrian military peared in the local daily said farewell to court and executed. "Vorarlberger Nachrich- Hohenems, but I will ten." "Encounters in always remember this On this day in June, Kurt Greussing Hohenems" was the place with gratitude! it was the 1st June Hauser, also a born headline: ANNE ADLER, 1940, a Saturday, it was Rosenthal. ZURICH – NEW those five persons who

I was allowed as an YORK walked down the Frie- These five walked down to old woman with drich Wurnig Street, the station. They were not friends from Zurich to It is stories like these, which today is called alone. For there must attend the special which sound so disturb- Schweizerstrasse. have been neighbors, by- moment of "the open- ing when you look at Jew- standers, fellow ing of the Jewish Mu- ish history in the 20th One of these five was just Hohenemsers, who saw seum in Hohenems.” century. Because at the over 40, another woman this wretched procession, In my mind I have same time they remind just over 60, the other – or at least knew of their stayed at this place us of those who unlike a man and two women – departure. What have they time and again, be- Anne Adler did not have were in their mid-70s. done? Assisted them in cause I had an inter- the energy, the courage, Each of them might have carrying their suitcases? esting encounter and – yes, this too: the carried a small, not too Spoke comforting words there as a young girl. I anticipatory fear – to try heavy suitcase. They that it all would not come am Jewish and was to escape to Switzerland. were no strangers, but so bad and that they were then living in Ger- rather had lived in looking forward to seeing many. More than five This story therefore also Hohenems for decades, them again? Waved a sad decades ago. [– this reminds us of a day in some of them were even goodbye with a handker- must have been in Hohenems in June 1940. born here. Their names chief at the departure of 1938, probably At that time, five people were familiar: the high the express train to Vi- shortly before the walked down what today school teacher Dr. Hans enna? Or looked out be- Nazi occupation of is the ―Schweizerstrasse‖ Elkan – that was the hind half-drawn curtains? Austria –] I had the to the railway-station. The younger one – and then Stood at the roadside and opportunity to visit Schweizerstrasse in the old ones: Theodor grinned sheepishly? Were the famous Jewish those years was not Elkan, the head of the secretly or openly pleased cemetery in called Schweizerstrasse, Jewish religious commu- at the prospect of a few Hohenems. I wanted and also not Brunner- nity, his wife Helene, fur- apartments and houses to learn more, and strasse as in the previous thermore Clara Heimann- becoming available? they referred me to decades since 1909 Rosenthal (herself a Bel-

the historian Dr. (after the Jewish gian citizen) and with To be honest: We do not Franz Josef Häfele. I Hohenems family Brun- nearly 77 years, the eld- know. And maybe that's a got an abundance of ner), but in June 1940 it est, Sophie Steingraber- (Continued on page 11) In Touch Page 11

DESIRED CHILD OR CUCKOO ’S EGG? people" who from the (Continued from page 10) had been erected in the day, and in 1987 the ar- 1890s onwards were the years 1770-1772. But, chitect Roland Gnaiger target of the increasingly good thing. And how the conversion to a fire had been entrusted with aggressive anti-Semitism would we react today, station had destroyed the the renovation and resto- and then subjected to the given our little daily op- historic character of this ration of the building, at expulsion and extermina- portunistic compromises, baroque building in the that time it was still tion policies of the Nazis? in view of circumstances same way as the dedica- planned to use the former far less difficult than at tion plaque had twisted salon – in the Bel Etage – Memorials have the ad- that time? the memory of its function as the wedding room of vantage that they can im- until 1938: namely as a the registry office and to munize themselves It is precisely such prob- synagogue of the Jewish set up an Alpine Museum against conflicts. Their ing questions to the past, community of Hohenems. in the basement. Thus the aura tends to protect them but also to ourselves, that Jewish Museum would from irreverent questions, made the establishment (It was only after April 11, have consisted of just two especially those on local of a Jewish Museum in 1991, after the opening memorial rooms – one for history. War memorials in Hohenems not an easy of the museum, that a the composer and cantor particular show us well task. memorial plaque with Salomon Sulzer and one how to produce an aura to correct information was for the textile manufactur- protect ourselves from It is true – thanks to his- installed.) ers of the Rosenthal fam- irreverent questions. torically conscious per- So how should one deal ily. sons in Hohenems such with this past? As you know, the Jewish as Arnulf Häfele and Nor- This memorial room idea Museum Hohenems has bert Peter – there had Talk openly about it, in- was not meant strategi- become a critically ques- been the serious desire cluding anti-Semitism in cally. It was rather uncon- tioning, quite disrespectful since the early / mid Vorarlberg, and conse- sciously inspired by the museum, and no memo- 1980s, to create a facility quently also in intention, so to speak, to rial. The path to the former to commemorate the Jew- Hohenems? And talk not bring the "good" aspects alternative was not at all ish community in only of the anti-Semitism of the Hohenems Jewish free of conflict. Hohenems. But what that of the Nazis, but also of community to light – art would mean in concrete the one that already had and industriousness, It has become a museum, terms was unclear, given been a tool of politics ―Feingeistigkeit‖ and up- which sees itself as a all the contradictory posi- more than half a century per-class philanthropy. place of dialogue, thus of tions and intentions in the before, first for the Chris- But that would not have arguments and not of si- founding association. tian Social Party and then made an adequate ac- lent, thus uncontradicted, for the German national- count of the history of the remembrance. After all, the inhabitants ists? Hohenems Jewish com- So was this museum a of Hohenems for many munity. This community, it desired child, or a years had not even Or only refer to the gloss is true, had brought forth cuckoo’s egg? wanted to acknowledge and highlights of the Jew- great personalities of cul- that the firehouse was ish community and pre- tural and economic life in If one considers the num- once a synagogue. Inside serve the memory of a the 19th century. But ber of parents who are the building, a dedication culturally and economi- there had been just as committed to this naughty plaque with the following cally outstanding time? well paupers, hawkers, being (and who are gath- text was affixed: small tradesmen, people ered here today in such "Fire station and in- This alternative for a Jew- who had been beaten by great numbers), then it fant care home ish museum also had to more bad than good. was a desired child. built 1954 /55 ... do with an unresolved Mayor H. Amann" question of space. Al- So could a memorial And for those for whom it though in 1983 the mu- room for a few prominent turned out to be a The mayor, Hanni Amann, nicipality of Hohenems members truly represent cuckoo’s egg – or more here had perpetuated had bought the Villa the history of the entire precisely, a young cuckoo himself with a clear misin- Heimann-Rosenthal, the Jewish community – in- – it will hopefully remain formation. The building museum building of to- cluding those "ordinary so for a very long time.  Page 12 Volume 12

H URRAY FOR H ARRY (I LEFT MY ♥ IN H OHENEMS ) U RI T AENZER AFJMH trustee, Harry of the times, of the Due to a threat- Weil of Albuquerque, brown shirts, of Onkel ening downpour, New Mexico was only Louis’ disappearance in a planned out- eight in 1938 when his spite of his desperate door barbeque family were the last Jews protests: "Ich habe was miraculously to escape Hohenems to nichts getan," "I didn’t do transformed into Switzerland. On the eve- anything." Harry also a sumptuous ning of Saturday, July 2, touched on his extraordi- dinner enjoyed 2011, Harry, still spry at nary life and how gradu- as well by 79, captivated a rapt au- ally the reality of the Hanno, Astrid, dience of over 500 en- Hohenems Jewish Mu- the inimitable thusiastic celebrants at- seum renewed a fond- Felix Jaffe and tending the 20th birthday ness for his "heimat." his ever efferves- celebration of the JMH in The closing words, which cent daughter the brand new moved the audience and Luisa as well as "Loewensaal" located yours truly were: "I be- our new friends across from the palace. lieve each person has Harry Weil and His brief, yet deeply two dwellings. A dwelling his delightful Marlena Taenzer, Lillian Bollag touching presentation, where one lives and a wife, Annie. The pres- and Uri Taenzer was delivered extempora- dwelling of the heart. For ence of special guests, neously in German. A me, Hohenems is the Deputy Mayor Gunter reconstruction of the PowerPoint display of Heimat of the heart." and Hildegund Linder former Jewish school photos of Harry as a insured that the evening recently completed by child, of his elegant par- Marlena and I were over- before the "big event" the Lacha & Partner ents, of him in Navy and whelmed by the warm was beyond merely GmbH. It features the Air Force uniforms be- reception which greeted "gemutlich." upscale Moritz Restau- decked with medals and us from the moment we rant, named after a of Harry’s current south- arrived beginning with Along with Harry, Annie, noted educator. We were western lifestyle accom- an invitation to what Felix and Luisa, we also also impressed by the panied the talk. He spoke turned out to be a con- enjoyed several more tasteful preservation of of childhood recollec- vivial evening at the delicious times in the the ruins of the adjacent tions, of the beautiful unique home and gar- company of the Rinder- former Mikvah. synagogue with its eter- dens of Burgermeister ers, the Bergers, the nal flame, and he also Richard Amann and his Loewys, Otto Amann’s The outdoor champagne described the bitterness gracious wife, Annie. family, Kurt Greussing reception at the Mortiz and Eva Hafele. was followed by well‑- attended presentations Prior to the formal pro- at the historic Jewish gram at Loewensaal, we cemetery. Yves Bollag, were privileged to take president of the Ceme- part in a tour of the for- tery Association and Jo- mer synagogue and re- hannes Inama, former stored Jewish quarter of Museum director, de- Hohenems led by Dr. scribed the significance Hanno Loewy for Dr. of the cemetery and the Claudia Schmied, Aus- contributions of the for- tria’s Minister of Educa- mer residents buried tion, Art and Culture. It there for the benefit of was our first opportunity Bundesministerin Mayor Richard Amann and Harry Weil to see the remarkable (Continued on page 13) In Touch Page 13

H URRAY FOR HARRY (Continued from page 12) seum, which he fostered Schmied who then took for many the opportunity to ex- years as plore this peaceful and president of hallowed place. the Verein. Mayor Amann The over‑subscribed pointed to the late afternoon program museum’s was preceded by an en- national and joyable reception held in international the ground floor open impact, the area of the Loewensaal. importance of The evening’s program self‑- was held in the spacious examination upstairs theater. There, and remem- hundreds of the region’s brance. Crea- museum local and re- tion of this Markus Wallner, Felix Jaffe, Claudia Scmied, Monika Reiss and Richard Amann gional supporters were museum in joined by many dignitar- Vorarlberg was not an nor Markus Wallner, Aus- Berlin as well as Harry ies and public officials. easy undertaking. "We trian cabinet minister Dr. Weil. Claudia Schmied, Speakers were intro- are gratified by the im- Claudia Schmied, key- who flew in from Vienna, duced by Dr. Hanno portant role which the note orator, Dr. Kurt commended the mu- Loewy and Verein presi- museum has garnered in Greussing, who first seum as an international dent, Jutta Berger. the cultural Burgermeister Dipl. Ing. life of this Richard Amann la- city and be- mented the recent pass- yond." ing of the city’s former mayor, Otto Amann, who Speakers would have marveled at included the success of the mu- State Gover-

Uri and Marlena Taenzer, Luisa Jaffe De Winn, Felix Jaffe and Yves Bollag

conceptualized the mu- center for Jewish culture. seum and Cilly Kugel- Markus Wallner reaf- mann, program director firmed the Vorarlberg Masters of Ceremony Jutta Berger and Hanno Loewy of the Jewish Museum in government’s backing for Page 14 Volume 12 H URRAY FOR HARRY (Continued from page 13)

Marlena Taenzerwith Bauernfanger musicioans

served under a large events came to a perfect tent. Fortunately, a large close as Marlena joined variety of beverages, the band in performing including beers and wine several songs including Kurt Geussing and Werner Deier. Photo by was available to drown Bei Mir Bistu Shein and Marcus Feuerstein the humus, olives and Hava Nagila. JMH, a "cornerstone" of Rosenthal and its gar- bread. Entertainment the region’s museums. den. As folks entered the was provided throughout In the days following the The many remarkable museum, they were the evening by an ac- jubilee celebration, we achievements engen- greeted by musicians complished group of mu- were also impressed by dered by the museum, performing in the bal- sicians, the the extensive press and its leadership and staff cony. Attendees palates "Bauernfangern." As far television coverage were lauded by all who were duly fortified by a as we were concerned which the event engen- spoke. The evening’s "Sephardic Jewish" the day’s momentous dered.  program also included buffet performances by a brass ensemble composed of students attending the Tonart Music School lo- cated in the Solomon Sulzer Hall as well as a delightful original play performed by 14 young students on the theme of a Jewish wedding.

Following the official pro- gram, the evening’s cele- bration began in earnest under a perfect moonlit sky at the Museum in the Villa Heimann‑- Performance of a Jewish wedding. Photo by Marcus Feuerstein. In Touch Page 15

O TTO AMANN (Born 5 April 1926 in Hohenems, † 18 February 2011) G EROLD A MANN

Translated from German wave (following the state and 18th March, 1945 by Julia Schertler-Dür . constitutional changes in is very well documented 1867) were ambivalent. by numerous original Childhood and The liberal army postal letters. On Schooldays (1926 - "Schlösserles" (Ammann 1st March 1944, he was 1944) spelled with double m = prematurely issued a Otto Amann, the son of maternal line) secondary school leaving Otto Amann, an maintained friendly certificate ("war A- embroidery relations with the Jewish levels") and received a manufacturer (1894 - elite - there are pictures call-up for the RAD 1969) and Mercedes, of coffee parties in his (Reichsarbeitsdienst- née Ammann (1903 – home’s garden and (State Work Service)) in 1985), was born in numerous documents. Pirtendorf and Mühlbach Hohenems, where he On the other hand, the (in the area of Pinzgau). army postal letter is also spent his childhood. "Junkers" (=Amanns He had a very bad dated 18th March 1945. His upbringing was strict spelled with one m = memory of this time as Otto Amann was still in and elitist. High German paternal line), as he was constantly driven Brno and wrote that he was spoken among his confirmed Christian hard by a relative who would continue the family and the children Socialists were strongly was his superior officer officer training for the only had limited contact influenced by traditional and a Nazi sympathizer. time being and would with the Alemannic Christian anti-Judaism. Therefore, he become an "ensign" in environment to which volunteered for training the foreseeable future. Otto Amann felt drawn. as a reserve officer in During the last six weeks Early in his life, he mid 1944. As a reserve before the end of war became interested in officer candidate he was there are no documents setting up a farm instead sent to the barracks of left. It is clearly obvious, of taking over his Auhof in Linz in the from a last conversation parents’ embroidery beginning of June and to about this time in early factory. Amann attended Znojmo in Moravia at the 2010, one year before elementary school in his death, with one of his Hohenems and his first sons, that he was at the high school years were front in the Volks- spent at the Jesuit Grenadiers-Division College "Stella Matutina" "Ulrich von Hutten". This in Feldkirch. The last division was formed at years before his "war A- the end of March/ levels" he spent at the beginning of April 1945. junior high school in It came into operation in Dornbirn. His years of In any event, as mid-April as part of the school in Feldkirch Christian Socialists struggle of the 11th Army influenced him they were excluded against the Americans in patriotically with the from political Bitterfeld and then martyr-cult surrounding positions from 1938 continued with the 12th Engelbert Dollfuss. His – 1945 during the Army in the battle for the family’s relationship to period of Nazi rule. relief of Berlin. The the few members of the division found itself in Jewish community who War Years 1944/45 end of 1944. In February American captivity at the remained in Hohenems Otto Amann’s life 1945, he continued his Elbe river. The prison after the emigration between leaving school training in Brno. The last camp was located at the (Continued on page 16) Page 16 Volume 12

O TTO AMANN

(Continued from page 15) political discourse. He political participation (in until 1951, Otto Amann airfield of Stendal, which responded to the 1955 there still existed worked as a teacher at was turned over to the negative combination of the basic resolution of the "Agricultural Soviets in July 1945. By church and power in the the Catholic Mission, Volksbildungsheim of this time, Otto Amann interwar years by actively that leading members of BMfUnterricht" in could not have been in founding the Catholic their organizations, such Graschnitz at St.Marein the prison camp any Student Union in Austria. as the Catholic Student Mürztal (Styria). At the longer since he had He took over its Union, could not offer same time he worked to never been in Soviet leadership at his themselves as a establish a farm, a task captivity. Rather, he was university in February parliament or national that he actually transferred from 1948. Otto Amann also representatives and completed in May 1951. American to British worked a nightshift in must refrain from any Around that time, during captivity and was busy the railway mission of leadership positions in a train ride in Mürztal, during the summer with Caritas at the North political parties at all). he met his future wife reconstruction work in West railway station and Edeltraud Amann with his wife and children Hanover. The surviving took part in the Steiner. The "Certficate de political training wedding demobilization" was of the Austrian took place issued by the "Heer de Farmers' on 19th July Terre" in Bregenz and is Federation. He 1952 in the dated 28th July 1946 organised and Basilica of (the original is family held lectures for Rankweil. property). However, it the Austrian Initially, the must have been issued Student Union farm was at after he was demobilized, and received a temporary since Otto Amann had permission to location in been the center of enrolled as Hohenems. a student at The plans the for the University of Otto Amann's construction of an Innsbruck distance from isolated farm in the by October the political marsh of Hohenems 1945. establishment could not begin until continued in 1953. Meanwhile, two Study his later years sons were born (Otto jr. period while a 1953, Bernhard 1954), (1945 - member of followed by Edeltraud 1949) the People's (1955), Gerold (1956), After Party. He Andreas (1960), studying in drew his Christopher (1961) and Innsbruck political Markus (1965). From for one semester, Otto cross the zone boundary legitimacy as a mayor 1953, Otto Amann Amann moved to Vienna for the lectures and to from the direct support taught part-time at the to study at the University participate in meetings. of the voting public agricultural school in of Agricultural Sciences At that time, the Austrian rather than from the Bregenz Mehrerau. He from which he graduated Student Union was an party. received the teaching as an engineer of alternative to the party- certificate „for agriculture in 1949. As a politically oriented Period before entering agricultural teaching and student, he began ―Cartellverband― and politics (1949 - 1955) support services, in actively to participate in refrained from party- After graduation and (Continued on page 17) In Touch Page 17

O TTO AMANN

(Continued from page 16) remained in that office and the founding of general agriculture at until the municipal the "Schubertiade". He junior to high schools, elections of incumbent remained particularly main subject field crop mayors, which followed concerned with the production― during shortly. development of repeated visits to agricultural structures. Vienna. The surviving Time as elected mayor Among other things, teaching certificate is (1965 - 1990) he made sure that the dated 4th July 1958. In the municipal election state’s agricultural of 1965, Otto Amann school was From entering politics to was confirmed as mayor, established in mayoral election (1955 - a position in which he Hohenems. Because 1965) remained until 1990. of its nationwide From 1955, Otto Amann Major construction importance during was part of the local projects, implemented of the Jewish Museum Amann’s term, the council of Hohenems; in during his time as mayor Hohenems and his market town of 1958 he became a local were schools and sports support of the town’s Hohenems was elevated councillor for agriculture facilities in the district involvement in the to a town in 1983, an and forestry and in 1960 ―Herrenried―, the program of the Bregenz event that took place in vice mayor. In the fifties, recreation center Festival (opera the presence of Austria’s he began his ―Rheinauen―, the performances and President Rudolf involvement as a farmer hospital with 150 beds, concerts in the palace) Kirchschlaeger. representative. In 1953, the chronic health Amann and Helmut Kohl he was appointed station, the home for the chairman of the elderly and the Livestock Association wastewater treatment and in 1956 he was plant for the water board elected chairman of the region Hohenems. Farmers' Federation of Important for the long- Hohenems. In 1958, he term development of expanded his activities. Hohenems was the early He became chairman of realization of a zoning the Vorarlberg Brown plan in 1966. In the Cattle Breeders' cultural sector, Otto Association and Amann's most important managing director of the legacy was the founding Association of European Brown Swiss associations. In this position he made numerous journeys to The last years (1990 - neighboring countries, 2011) especially to Italy and After his resignation as France. In the summer mayor, Otto Amann was of 1964, the former primarily committed to mayor, Hanny Amann fell his two "favorite ill. Otto Amann children", the Jewish substituted for him until Museum Hohenems and his death on 7th January alpine agriculture. In 1965 and then (Continued on page 18) Amann with Rudolf Kirchschlaeger Page 18 Volume 12

O TTO AMANN

(Continued from page 17) involved in the war- His Commitment in the Austria again and again, 1986, he was a co- crimes of the German founding of a Jewish this does not surprise founder and until his Armed Forces. His Museum in Hohenems me. On the contrary, one illness in the beginning distance from the Nazi I cite here from the should doubt the of the new millenium, ideology was reflected in written preparation and meaning of such an also president of the his leave-taking from the the resulting speech ―Verein Jüdisches troops in order to attend that Otto gave at the Museum.― The church services. After time of the Jubiläum Museum, which opened the war he was both „10 Years Jewish in 1991, became a privately and publicly Museum Hohenems―: renowned place, far orientated towards the beyond the borders of ideals of a deed- „The Jewish Museum Vorarlberg, for orientated Christianity Hohenems has from exhibitions and personal and always perceived those years on when encounters. In August himself as a practicing the first ideas for such 1998, Otto Amann Catholic. an institution were experienced the reunion developed, always of descendants of the His social orientation been instrumental for Jewish families of was mainly derived from very engaged Hohenems, now his religious beliefs. discussions and scattered across the Speaking up for political arguments. world, as a highlight of marginal groups was a Given the subject that his efforts to remember priority for him. During is at stake here and in the former Jewish his time as a Amann in Jerusalem community. The mayor, anyone founding of the could personally ―Vorarlberg Alpine speak to him. Agricultural Union― He promoted served as a network of the construction Alpine agricultural of social activities. Otto Amann housing and took over as chairman maintained and remained in that contact with capacity for 20 years. Turkish and Yugoslav „guest Religious and social workers." He orientation also pleaded for Otto Amann’s roots in a the piety affected establishment Catholicism had of public spaces prevented him from that could be Amann with his wife Edeltraud (left) and Museum Curator Eva Grabherr being captivated by the utilized by young (right) in front of the Museum Nazis. Since he was only people who were actively involved in the not organized into clubs. the light of the institution, if it would war from March/early In terms of agricultural fundamental socio- function without such April 1945, when the policy, he particularly political debates that are frictions and without Eastern front had supported small family provoked by Jewish provoking public already reached farms and mountain history and the way this debates, if it would Germany, he was not farmers. history is dealt with in (Continued on page 19) In Touch Page 19

O TTO AMANN

(Continued from page 18) those years that a profile Christian Socialist at the should be called function only as a was created from which time of the „Heymann-Haus.“ „History Museum“ we profit today.― Austrofascists. Frau Heymann is as without a direct far as I know a born connection to our After his health required From my viewpoint, his Rosenthal; therefore present. a less active role, Otto insistence on his chosen from a famous Jewish continued carefully to way can be explained by family. She Already before the watch the development his social orientation or deposited in the opening of the Jewish of the Jewish Museum. from the influence of his Junkerhaus a large, Museum, there was The Museum, under Eva grown children. Above noble piece of much debate on which Häfele, his successor as all, however his mother furniture that was subjects the permanent president of the Verein, Mercedes had a very given to her son, then exhibition should had a further upswing great influence on him. living in Belgium. present. Whether in the and that was continued At the time of the city’s With the few first place it should be with the establishment decision to buy the remaining Jews, e.g. the regional Jewish of Hanno Loewy as Heymann Villa, his Elkans, as I learned history, in which Director in 2004. This mother wrote to him: later about the naturally the local anti- positive development “Abtransport,, as semitism and the forced Harry Weil put it, I displacement and said ”From House murder of the and Hof, the heavens Hohenemser Jews would scream” Perhaps play an important role, comes the time that I or whether it should be can describe the devoted to Jewish Emser Jews of my religion and Jewish times. history in the world. That the project teams’ Mama“  concept was realised, proved to be the right decision, given the wide international approval that it found since the Museum’s opening. Crucial was the decision gave him much pleasure „Dear Otto, to approve Eva Grabherr in his last years. as the Museum’s first With the Director. Only under her Otto continued following Hohenemser Jews I guidance,was the house through on the project grew up and so I was made alive. In the ―Jüdisches Museum‖ taught. Frau course of time, the particularly in the time of Löwenberg v. B. Museum evolved to a the Bundespräsident came daily to the place of international election of 1986, when little bench in the significance. In the country was in the garden or to the numerous projects, the course of the Waldheim house. Therefore I Museum tied together Affair from which a wave can barely endure its regional anchor and of anti-semitism gripped when this once very always was at the peak the land. This is even noble Jewish house of international more remarkable in that is named discourse. It was in he was a practicing „Burtscherhaus.“ It Page 20 Volume 12

O TTO AMANN , H ONORARY PRESIDENT E VA G RABHERR On October 2, 2003, the from our conversations said that you had then intent upon personal first long-term president how much you appreciate tried several times to re- growth, determined of the Association of the Eva Häfele and how re- sume our conversation on to fulfill not just Jewish Museum of lieved and glad you were the Song of the Nibe- some but all of her Hohenems was named to pass responsibility for lungs, but I had never promise. honorary president of the this museum, which really shown any interest. Association. The Associa- means such a lot to you, Only then did you gradu- Remember the story tion asked Eva Grabherr, into such capable hands. ally realize that there of her “fall.” She was the first curator of the might have been a mis- told that she might Jewish Museum, to give I don’t know when and take. eat of everything in the speech at this occa- where you decided on the garden except sion. However, since she your successor—whose Other men on the commit- one thing: She could was, unfortunately, pre- name is also Eva. It was, tee who had also sup- not eat of the Tree vented from attending however, more down to ported my appointment of Knowledge of that evening’s function, coincidence that I was gave much more prag- Good and Evil. The she proposed writing a appointed the first curator matic reasons for their fruit of this tree was speech to be read out by of the Museum. I hope decision: they argued that not food at all, but Eva Häfele, Otto Amann’s you’ll excuse my telling they expected me, on ac- understanding. If successor as president of the audience the secret count of my personality, she ate it, she would the Association. Shortly you confided in me and to be more adaptable and know things that she before that, Otto Amann my team, many years ago, manageable than the was not intended to had personally put for- on an exhilarating journey other candidates. It know, hence the ward Eva Häfele’s name back from Innsbruck fol- seems that the appoint- proscription. as his successor. lowing the opening of the ment board was not too new synagogue. You familiar with the latest Eve's response to this somehow awkwardly ad- management literature. rule was, essentially, ―No

Translated from German mitted that I owed my Otherwise, they might way, José.‖ by the author. appointment as curator to have heard of Tom a case of mistaken iden- DeMarco, who dedicates It just goes to show how I really regret that I can’t tity. a whole chapter in his far off the mark you can be here with you tonight. I widely read book Slack1 be if you don’t do your would have liked to have A few decades ago, on the to the question of homework. And I would, personally paid my re- occasion of the Nibelungs ―Managing Eve.‖ of course, never have spects to you, Mr. Honor- exhibition at Hohenems dared to refer to this story ary President, and to you, Palace, you had met a In spite of years of about the dangers of dear members of the As- young woman academic parochial schooling, “Managing Eve” here if sociation. Please accept with whom you had a very I have come away Eva Häfele had not long my apologies for not be- interesting discussion with a view of the since been elected chair- ing able to join you this about new theories on the creation story that woman of the board of evening, but a trip that I origin of the Song of the differs somewhat the new Jewish Museum had booked a long time Nibelungs and other top- from what the nuns of Hohenems Institutional ago prevents me from ics of German literature must have hoped. In Association. doing so. On the other over dinner. When you my view, the great hand, Mr. Honorary Presi- were interviewing me for heroic figure of the You, Mr. Honorary Presi- dent, it does make sense the position of the first- story is Eve. She is dent, were my first boss, that your successor and time curatorship of the everything that I re- and I learned a lot--a my namesake is going to Museum in September spect in a person: great deal, in fact--from read out my speech for 1990, you thought that I irrepressibly curious, you and through working you right here, given the was that very same young courageous, un- with you: deeper dimensions of this woman, and you decided daunted by author- museum’s work. I know to offer me the job. You ity. Most of all, she is (Continued on page 21) In Touch Page 21

O TTO AMANN , H ONORARY PRESIDENT

(Continued from page 20) at all in the evening). You ized by the work and Mr. Amann, it was an hon- then told me in no uncer- seminars of Professor our for me to be asked to  I learned how far peo- tain terms to take a seat Kurt Schubert at the Insti- write a speech on the oc- ple can go together -- on your right and pulled tute for Jewish Studies in casion of the award of even in unknown terrain -- my opponent over to your Vienna. In this context, your honorary presidency if they trust each other. left, thus preventing us ―you‖ and ―I‖ don’t just from our Association. I  I learned that you can from choosing the seats merely represent individu- look forward to hopefully form a common front de- ourselves. And now let me als but to some extent the many more opportunities spite many differing ask you, ladies and gen- positions of the various to meet with you over cof- points of view if there is tlemen, how can anyone and sometimes very di- fee. And I hope that we will agreement on substantial go on the offensive and verse protagonists who not just primarily discuss matters, particularly on openly fight for a cause if fought to establish and museum-related matters underlying attitudes. they cannot even get a maintain this museum as we have done for many  I learned how many glimpse of their oppo- and still do. I believe that years but will also find things are possible -- nent? The president him- it’s the understanding we time to talk about other including risks -- if you self was sitting between share about the socio- interesting topics, too. know there is someone us, unperturbed and ada- political function of this there who supports you. mant, and determined to museum--the reconcilia- ______And during those early conduct the board meet- tion it has achieved for years of my career, I ing without any long dis- society and individuals 1 Tom DeMarco, Slack, 2nd ed. learned self-responsibility cussions. I can’t com- too that made it possible (New York: Broadway Books, because I knew that you plain, though, because for us to work together in 2002) 26-27. had confidence in me. you carried through the such a way. 2 Otto Amann was mayor of views of the team during Hohenems from 1965-1990. Of course, I did not agree that meeting too. How- We were both in agree-

with you on everything. To  ever, after that evening, I ment about the dimen- date, I still don’t quite got an inkling of what it sions of our work. It was understand why decisions takes for someone to re- decisive that you, of the association board main mayor of Hohenems Mr. Amann, a rep- should, if possible, be for over twenty years.2 resentative of the unanimous, which makes so-called Wald- them hard to reach. I will But the actual miracle -- heim generation, never forget how--in the however small or great it were won over run-up to difficult board may be -- is the fact that without having to meetings -- you conducted we were able to form a fulfill this recon- intense individual discus- common front in a socio- ciliatory function sions in order to prevent political matter as contro- at the price of his- heated exchanges during versial as the establish- torical truths and the actual meetings them- ment of a Jewish Museum the concealment selves. And I will never in a post-1945 Austrian of fault lines. In forget with what finesse province. Born in 1926, the long run, not you were always able to you had fought as a sol- all of the people successfully neutralize dier of the German who laid the foun- me prior to crucial board Wehrmacht during the dations for this meetings, which were Second World War and museum together expected to spark contro- reacted highly sensitively with you could be versial discussions. during the years of the reconciled with ―Waldheim affair‖ to this attitude. And Like most times, you were questions directed at the that is the reason a few minutes late this Waldheim generation. why they eventu- time too (because cows And then there was I, ally abandoned the pro- really can’t be managed born in 1963 and social- ject. Page 22 Volume 12

A L ETTER FROM LILIAN BOLLAG Dear friends: I know, also from my Last, but not least, Otto It is with sadness that husband, that without Amman was always ex- during my yearly visit to Mayor Amman's enthusi- tremely supportive of the my daughter and her asm and persever- efforts to preserve the family in Australia that I ance, no Jewish mu- Jewish Cemetery and heard of ex-mayor's Otto seum would exist in therefore the Jewish Amman's death. Hohenems today. community is to some Thanks to him, "dark" extent still "active" in this I recall with great pleas- moments of the city's city. I will always have a ure how much my late history were brought to fond memory full of husband Kurt Bollag, in light and indirectly thanks for all his activi- his role as board mem- brought back to ties, and mainly his cour- ber of the "Association Hohenems those who age to do things at times for the Preservation of had to leave their birth- when doing them was the Jewish Cemetery of place and perished in not an easy undertaking. Hohenems" appreciated the Holocaust. The Mu- his many regular en- seum gives them an in- Liliane Bollag, Widnau/ counters with Mayor Am- destructible place in the SG man during the course history of the Jews in of more than 50 years. Hohenems.

E ULOGY FOR OTTO AMANN D R . H ANNO L OEWY Delivered on February something new, some- seum, he probably did not Vorarlberg, of different 24, 2011 at St. Karl’s thing that we should have himself know where that backgrounds and diverse Parish Church. done long ago. I believe decision would lead him -- political convictions in an that Otto Amann, himself, and us with him. But attempt to realize a uto- Translated from German also sometimes had this something led him to pian ideal, Otto Amann by Rega Wood. feeling, particularly when take this decision. still did not yet know what more than twenty-five Whether it was God or would come of those dis- Beloved Otto Amann, years ago he decided to simply a good spirit, I do cussions. But, he put all grieving family, fellow dedicate himself to the not know. At any rate, he his strength into the at- mourners: Jewish Museum. At the was a strong man capa- tempt to achieve this outset, Otto Amann’s de- ble of a feeling of humble ideal, and that was no Sometimes we have the cision to put his heart into gratitude. And surely he small contribution. feeling that we have this project and dedicate was moved by a deep come too late -- hope- the weight of his person- belief, a belief that made What must have moved lessly too late, when we ality and his office to it him a man of broad sym- Otto Amann was the feel- bury someone dear whom brought him difficulties as pathies rather than nar- ing that even if we were we wanted to know better well as joys, and it did not row minded, open to oth- too late – indeed, pre- or with whom we still always make friends for ers rather than closed off cisely in such cases -- we have much to discuss him. from the rest of humanity. must make it our task to and experience. Or when realize the ideal. It was a we take leave of some- When Otto Amann de- Twenty-five years ago task that began with one we wish we had cided to rescue the some- when the idea of a Jewish gratitude, as he once known better. Sometimes what dilapidated Villa in Museum was first dis- wrote; he wanted to dedi- we also have this feeling the narrow old Jewish cussed by quite varied cate the Museum as a that we have begun street that is now our Mu- people in Hohenems and (Continued on page 23) In Touch Page 23

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(Continued from page 22) struck by this respect. I spect and regard for the Jewish quarter of memorial of gratitude to had never before encoun- other and so it was also Hohenems. It had his those who had contrib- tered the energy and in- about hope. This hope lively support even uted so much toward the telligence that animated today is for the other as though he knew again well-being of the city. this enterprise. In the immigrant, not the least that it was too early to metropolis, willful smug- for Muslim immigrants, know what would come of Otto Amann’s own early ness seldom permitted whom we hope will be it. experiences moved him such concentration, and encountered with regard deeply: the disappear- it was perhaps easier for for what they have to of- This must have been how ance of the Elkan family strangers to recognize fer the community. Only it was in 1997 when he and what he later learned this treasure. with such an attitude can met Felix Jaffé for the about this we expect respect for the first time. Felix Jaffé, a ―disappearance,‖ the I met Otto Amann for the rules of civility, which we descendant of the disappearance of some first time at the opening should demand not only Hohenems Brunner fam- of his own relatives, of an exhibit we prepared from others but also from ily, dreamed of bringing whom the National So- in 1994. At that time I ourselves. all the descendants of cialists, the Nazis, re- did not know how impor- the Hohenems Jewish garded as ―creatures un- tant that meeting -- and For these practices of families, from all over the worthy of life,‖ and killed the achievement to which civilization, too, we need world to a reunion in in the ―Euthanasia‖ pro- he had contributed so a place, a space, and Hohenems. This dream, gram. The war years he decisively -- would once Otto Amann intended the too, has now twice been experienced as a time of turn out for me person- Jewish Museum to be realized. Whether or not senseless military cam- ally. But, I felt his strength such a place. In his Otto Amann’s further paigns of conquest that and his earnestness and words: a touchstone for hope that there can again left behind only suffering the determination that the community, as it ac- be a real Jewish commu- and rubble. And after the filled those around him cepts others as fellow nity in Voralberg is real- war there were political with awe and perhaps human beings … To ized, he will not be there disillusionments and dis- even with a certain resis- found and support a Jew- himself to observe. But, appointments too. By the tance. Here was a man ish Museum is thus also no one knows what may end of his active political who did not make things an acknowledgement that come from the existing life, Otto Amann’s experi- easy for himself and for the acceptance of others fragile beginnings. ences prompted him to others. As we noticed, he is now as always a real work for a space where was even great when he challenge. Throughout our lives, we people could confront was mistaken. Many er- often have the feeling these experiences and rors proved to be produc- Seven years ago when I that we are too late, and these memories with re- tive in the long run. Otto met Otto Amann again, we always die too early. spect. Amann was a Mensch, this time now as the di- But Otto Amann left be- emphatically a Mensch, rector of the Museum, at hind a place for us, a Otto Amann wanted to in the Yiddish sense of his home -- on his ―farm,‖ space, and a stage. He provide a dignified memo- the term. as he said smiling -- I felt also left behind a large rial commemorating this Sometimes we have the again that strength. But, family, who have inher- history at a time when feeling that we have at the same time I felt ited his love for this city this history was treated in come not too late but too that he had begun to let but also his obstinate a particularly disrespect- early. Otto Amann did not go, a long and difficult pride and his broad per- ful manner. In 1993, I just want the Museum he process for him that spective. This gives us visited the Villa Heimann- left behind to show his made me sad. He was hope that we may be nei- Rosenthal for the first gratitude and respect for very interested in the pro- ther too late nor too early, time on a visit from those who had disap- ject about which I spoke but at just the right, deci- Frankfurt. As I experi- peared. He also wanted with him, an exhibition sive moment. If only we enced the Museum, and to build bridges to the dealing with the immi- take the time.  met the people who sup- present and to the future. grant workers in Vorarl- ported it, I was deeply For him it was about re- berg and not least in the Page 24 Volume 12

E ULOGY FOR OTTO AMANN F ELIX J AFFE Read by Hanno Loewy on him but keep him in my dants, I soon understood of numerous Hohenems February 24, 2011 at St. thoughts. His visit with that up to the end he was descendants who at pre- Karl Parish Church, Mrs. Amann to my home the central figure of the sent live scattered in the Hohenems, Austria. in Jerusalem was a sig- whole idea. As a Brunner whole world, from Austra- nificant event which re- and Rosenthal descen- lia to Spain, from Califor- Translated into English by mains deeply engraved dant, and with many nia to Belgium and Italy. the author. in my memory. other members of our They have not forgotten families, I am of course their origin. All these de- Dear family, For many years he was an most grateful for his con- scendants — they are by energetic mayor, and in tinuous efforts. now over 1000 and their I find it difficult to write the beginning the lonely number is growing — these lines, as Otto initiator of the Jewish Mu- As you all know, Otto know what he has accom- Amann's loss touches seum, which owes him Amann was a good and plished for Hohenems, me deeply. His last years everything, but really eve- loving father in a large and are grateful to him. were not easy for him, his rything. and diversified family, family and all the visitors which remained com- In our absence, my who like myself saw him In his important position pletely homogenous. We daughter and I wish to as frequently as possible. he was positive and suc- should not forget his wife, present our thanks and But my remembrance cessful. He must have felt who gently but firmly kept our deepest condolences goes back much further that in recent years the all her children close to to the whole family and in time. From our first old and lively Jewish each other. his many friends. encounter about the l998 Hohenems world was not former Hohenems fami- forgotten, but even resus- However he was not only Felix Jaffé Brunner  lies meeting, he became citated to some extent. As the father of his own fam- a good and steady friend. an active member of the ily, but the well known I will certainly not forget Brunner family descen- and respected godfather

NEWS FROM THE M USEUM D R . H ANNO L OEWY

The Turks in Vienna. A the final Reconquista; invited by the Sultans. Spanish and Turkish- European Jewish Com- Christopher Columbus Those who initially had influenced culture of the munity. An exhibition of embarked on a journey left Spain for Portugal, Sephardim remained as the Jewish Museum that would lead to the departed from the Ibe- well; to this day, it can Vienna, presented at the discovery of the New rian Peninsula later to- be found in the religious Jewish Museums World; and the Jews wards the Netherlands and linguistic, literary Hohenems. were expelled from the and Northern Germany. and musical, but also in 5 April until 2 October country, murdered or the culinary aspects of 2011. converted to Christianity. In the wake of Ottoman their life. conquests, the Sephar- The highlight of the year Many of these Jews be- dim, as Jews of Spanish The peace treaties be- was definitely our exhibi- came Marranos, who descent are called, were tween the Habsburgs tion about the Turkish remained in Spain, but able to establish cultur- and the Sublime Porte in Jews in Vienna. kept their Jewish tradi- ally and economically the first half of the 18th tion in secrecy. The ex- important communities century introduced a 1492 was a fateful year iles found refuge in in the Balkans. They re- new era in the relation- in Spain when 800 years North Africa and some mained in existence af- ship between Europe of Arab-Muslim rule Italian cities, but mainly ter the Turkish retreat and Turkey. These new came to an end through in the Ottoman Empire, from Europe. The rich (Continued on page 25) In Touch Page 25

NEWS FROM THE M USEUM

(Continued from page 24) authors, and musicians economic and cultural who shared their cultural relations were fostered heritage with the world. by Turkish citizens in the And finally, this exhibi- Habsburg Empire and by tion tells about the Habsburg subjects in destruction of these

Hohenems nealogical database Genealogy platforms in the world. Database Find your ancestors, Our database learn more about your project is flour- families, and help us fill ishing. More in what is missing. The than 11,000 database allows propos- individual data als and feedback, and The Exhibition, “The Turks in Vienna.” profiles of Jews we are glad to receive

Turkey, like the Hirsch- feld family from Hohenems. In this situa- tion, Sephardic Jews used the opportunity to settle in Vienna. As Turk- ish citizens, they enjoyed freedom of movement and freedom of religion in the Habsburg Empire.

The exhibition tells about the role as mediators that the Sephardic- Turkish communities played between East and West, between Ori- ent and Occident, be- tween Asia and Europe. Concert with Turkish-Jewish music in the Sulzer Saal, May 2011. In this respect, it tells communities. Even their from Vorarlberg and Ty- updates from members about merchants and memory was erased in rol, their descendants of the Hohenems fami- businessmen, and their Vienna and Austria, but (regardless of their faith) lies at any time. Please innovative networks. Of also widely in the Jewish and their families, are visit the database on the course, it also tells about and the Turkish histori- now included in one of scholars, rabbis, ography. the most elaborate ge- (Continued on page 26) Page 26 Volume 12

NEWS FROM THE M USEUM

(Continued from page 25) Summer University studies, organized this mon Sulzer auditorium Hohenems for Jewish year in collaboration with in the former synagogue web at www. studies 2011 – a great the University of Munich, – as well as the relaxing hohenemsgenealogy.at success the University of Salz- atmosphere of burg, the University of Hohenems, both in the Digitization and accessi- For the third time stu- Basel and the University Museum and in the old bility of the Photo ar- dents and scholars from of Vienna. The program Jewish quarter. chives

The Museum was ap- proved for a grant from Rothschild Foundation (Hanadiv) in London. Together with the funds from the Federal Govern- ment, this grant enables us to digitize the photo collection of the Mu- seum. Christine Jost is working on this project together with Christian Herbst until the Spring of 2012. In the future, the photo collection of the Museum will be re- searchable on the Inter- net.

A lecture by Anna Liphardt at the Summer University

this year fo- New publications in the cused on dif- fall ferent aspects of Jewish mi- Under the title, gration ―Hohenemser Muse- throughout umstexte‖ the Museum history, from has started to publish the Jews of various texts related to Babel to our the core permanent exhi- times. bition and the Jewish history of Hohenems. We About 90 par- have started with two ticipants, booklets, presenting the among them texts of the core exhibi- A Summer University Class with Alfred Bodenheimer more than 50 regular tion, and the interviews Germany, Austria and students and 25 schol- with Descendants and Switzerland met in ars, enjoyed a week of other witnesses, pre- Hohenems for the Sum- intensive learning and sented in the Museum. mer University of Jewish discussion in the Salo- (Continued on page 27) In Touch Page 27

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(Continued from page 26) years, first as a tour January. We are glad to fall 2010. With Chris- In July the Museum guide, then with the ever have him on board. tian Herbst, we were published the texts of -growing task of building Christian Herbst studied able to secure from the core exhibition in the archives and collec- history in Innsbruck with our board a full time English, French and tions. She was ap- Professor Thomas Al- post for the collec- Turkish, helping our pointed to be responsi- brich and finished his tions. This helps to foreign language ble for the local libraries studies with a book on a develop our collec- guests get access to of the Catholic Church community of Tyrolian tions department to the exhibition. In the all over the country, a emigrants in South the needs of our mis- fall, a new guide to the very attractive task that America. Since the sum- sion.  Jewish quarter of gives her a great oppor- mer of 2009, Christian Hohenems will follow, tunity to improve educa- worked with Eva-Maria replacing the outdated tion in Vorarlberg on a Hesche reorganizing our brochure on sale for broad level. collections and archives many years. and the database sys- To our luck, she had – tems (from the geneal- News from the staff for more than one year – ogy to the cemetery). He the opportunity to train was responsible for orga- In December, we had her own successor in nizing our new archival to say farewell to Eva- office, Christian Herbst depot and the move to Maria Hesche, who M.A., who followed her in the new facilities in the has served the Mu- seum for more than 10 Tamara Stern performing “Lola Blau” by Georg Kreisler in the Sulzer Auditorium on June 14, 2011 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 Any additional contribution munity as it was when our supports the Jewish Museum you could make would be very ancestors lived there. 