“A solemn octagonal tower. Its walls whisper names.” The Jewish War Memorial. Right here on the grounds of Vienna Central Cemetery. It stands as a testament to the Jewish soldiers lost in the First World War. This is more than just a monument. It’s a poignant story etched in stone.
Designed by Leopold Ponzen. The memorial was finally erected between 1927 and 1928. Construction was overseen by builder Max Liewer. This wasn’t an easy task. It was initially planned back in 1919. The Israelitische Kultusgemeinde Wien the Jewish community of Vienna proposed it. They initially considered using an unfinished Erzherzog-Rainer monument. However the size proved unsuitable.
The community rallied. They placed newspaper ads. They asked Viennese Jews to submit names. Thousands responded. The names of those buried in Vienna are inscribed on the memorial’s walls. Others’ names are on commemorative plaques inside a nearby ceremonial hall. Sadly this hall was heavily damaged during Kristallnacht in 1938. It was torn down in 1977.
The memorial itself was spared from destruction. It remains largely untouched. It shows seven Laaser marble plaques listing the names of the fallen. A plaque in Hebrew quotes Isaiah 2:4 “Nation shall not lift up sword against nation neither shall they learn war any more.” Two further plaques were added in 1999. The entrance is marked with the inscription “The Israelitische Kultusgemeinde Wien to its sons fallen in the war of 1914-18”.
Every year until 1937 annual commemorative ceremonies were held. Thousands attended. The Bund jüdischer Frontsoldaten Österreichs the Association of Jewish Front Soldiers of Austria organised them. Even an honour guard from the Austrian Federal Army participated. The memorial’s survival is remarkable. It survived the horrors of the Nazi regime. It is now under the care of the Austrian Black Cross. Even today a wreath-laying ceremony takes place each All Souls’ Day. A stark reminder of the sacrifices made. A quiet tribute to the forgotten. The Jewish War Memorial. A place of remembrance. A place of peace.