Linz, Austria

LINZ (II) Upper Austria, Austria. Jews were present in the 13th century and engaged in money lending. In 1420, following Host desecration libels, many Jews were expelled or arrested. Others were beaten to death or forcibly baptized. In the beginning of the 16th century, Jews resettled in Linz, but were expelled again in 1669. The modern community dates from 1789. Jews were engaged in the tobacco and salt trade. In 1856, the community was acknowledged as a religious corporation (Kultusgemeinde). In 1877 a splendid synagogue was inaugurated. During this time Adolf Kurrein served as rabbi and historian of the community. In 1911, a BlauWeiss youth group was founded, which later obtained a hostel that served as a haven for young Austrian Jews after the Anschluss (13 March 1938). There were several Zionist groups active in Linz, including Keren Kayemet. The community maintained its own newspaper. A high percentage of Jews was represented in the professional class as doctors, lawyers, and teachers. In 1933, antisemitism became intense and often violent. In 1934, the community numbered 1,200 (total 200,000), dropping to 650 in 1938. Immediately after the Anschluss several Jews, including community leaders, were arrested and deported to the Dachau concentration camp. In May 1938, a Jewish school was closed down. On Kristallnacht (9-10 Nov. 1938), the synagogue was completely burned down. Of those who managed to emigrate, 145 went to Palestine, 92 to the U.S., 45 to England, and 23 to South America. The others were deported to Vienna and from there to the east. In June 1939, the management of the Linz community was transferred to the Vienna community. After the war, a small community was reestablished.