The ongoing renovation of the Jewish City Temple in Vienna is proceeding according to plan. According to the President of the Jewish Community of Vienna (IKG), Oskar Deutsch, the ceremonial reopening will be able to take place in September. In the building, which was erected exactly 200 years ago on Seitenstettengasse, in addition to the general renovation, fire protection is also being improved. Measures for accessibility and energy efficiency are also being implemented.

"Proud of Our City Temple"

One third of the renovation costs of 10.5 million euros has been covered by the federal government, another by the city of Vienna. The rest is being attempted to be financed by the IKG Vienna through donations, although according to Deutsch, they have not quite reached their goal yet: Currently, they are at 81 percent. Deutsch also used a press event on site to motivate the public to donate. Nevertheless, nothing currently stands in the way of the opening in September, at which representatives of the federal government and the city will also be present.

"Yes, we are proud of our City Temple," said Deutsch during the presentation of the interim status on Tuesday together with architects Natalie Neubauer and Eric Tschaikner. The building is the spiritual center of the Jewish community, but it is also open to visitors of non-Jewish faith, he emphasized. The renovation should also contribute to the opening of the community to the outside world, which began in recent years. After all, the City Temple is a "business card" of Austria as well as the federal capital.

Shulem Lemmer with Opening Concert

The IKG President also gave a preview of the opening celebrations, which are to take place at Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. It is planned to bring a Torah scroll into the temple during the ceremony. The opening concert will be performed by the American star cantor Shulem Lemmer. For the presentation of a City Temple stamp, a special post office will be set up on Seitenstettengasse.

(APA/Red)

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