Symbol of remembrance. The Lichtzeichen Brigittenauer Tempel Light stands as a testament to Vienna’s lost synagogues. This light marks the spot where the Brigittenauer Tempel once stood. It is located in the 20th district, Brigittenau, at Kluckygasse 11.
In 1900, the Brigittenauer Tempel was inaugurated. Jakob Gartner designed it. The Vereinssynagoge Kluckygasse was its original name. For nearly four decades, it served the Jewish community. Then came the night of November 9, 1938.
The November Pogroms. A wave of violence swept through Vienna. Nazi mobs targeted Jewish businesses and synagogues. The Brigittenauer Tempel was not spared. On November 10, 1938, at 7:00 am, the nightmare began.
The synagogue was looted. Gestapo agents stole silver artifacts. Synagogue textiles were destroyed. By 11:30 am, the Torah shrine was in flames. The Brigittenauer Tempel was reduced to ruins.
The Nazis destroyed almost all synagogues and prayer houses in Vienna. Only one survived. It was the City Temple. The destruction marked the beginning of systematic persecution. The Jewish community in Vienna dwindled.
Today, the Lichtzeichen Brigittenauer Tempel Light stands as a memorial. It is one of 26 light columns throughout Vienna. Each column marks a former Jewish site. The Jewish Museum Vienna and the University of Applied Arts collaborated on this project. Artist Lukas Kaufmann designed the light columns.
The Lichtzeichen Wien project is called “Ot”. “Ot” means symbol or sign in Hebrew. Each light column is about five meters high. It features an intertwined Star of David. A QR code provides access to a virtual reconstruction of the synagogue.
The Lichtzeichen Brigittenauer Tempel Light was unveiled in 2018. It was the 80th anniversary of the November Pogroms. The memorial serves multiple purposes. It remembers the victims of Nazi persecution. It also raises awareness about Vienna’s pre-war Jewish community. It stands against discrimination.
Before 1938, Vienna had one of the largest Jewish communities in Europe. Judaism was integral to the city’s life. The Lichtzeichen reminds us of this rich history.
Take a closer look at the Lichtzeichen Brigittenauer Tempel Light. Notice the curved lines forming a Star of David. Consider the history it represents. Imagine the synagogue that once stood here. Think of the people who prayed within its walls. Remember the events of November 1938.
The last rabbi at the Brigittenauer Tempel was Benjamin Murmelstein. After its destruction, a residential building replaced the synagogue. A memorial plaque was placed on the building on November 10, 2008. It commemorates the former synagogue.
The Lichtzeichen Brigittenauer Tempel Light is more than just a sculpture. It is a symbol of remembrance. It is a reminder of Vienna’s past. It is a beacon of hope for the future. This light stands as a testament to the resilience of the Jewish community. It also represents Vienna’s commitment to remembering its history.