In the last week of April, the Jewish Welcome Service (JWS) hosted around 40 Jews with Austrian roots in Vienna. An extensive program was arranged for the visitors from the USA, Israel and the UK, most of whom were descendants of the second generation.
The guests were received in the Hofburg imperial palace and in Vienna City Hall by hosts including Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen. Also among the visitors was Alice Malcolm from Glasgow. Born in Vienna in 1924, she was visiting the city of her childhood and youth for the first time since her expulsion.
“This memorial year,” says Mailath-Pokorny, “reminds us of the responsibility we have for our history and also calls on us to carry out research, education and mediation work. This all the more relevant given the background of anti-Semitic and racist tones that are creeping back into the socio-political discourse and played down as one-off cases or misunderstandings.”
The activities of the Jewish Welcome Service are financed by the City of Vienna with the support of the Republic of Austria. Wien Holding also started supporting the Jewish Welcome Service in 2018.
Reports & photos on the group’s stay
- APA-OTS (in German)
- Die Presse(in German)
- 24 Stunden Wien (with video, in German)
- Jewish Philanthropy
- Facebook album
- Report on the website of the Office of the President of Austria (in German)
