Jewish Existences - Ten Biographies from Linz

The life stories of the Jewish citizens from Linz, Austria that are presented in this book are characterized by their great diversity. Some performed extraordinary feats, others’ deeds were indistinguishable from those of the majority of the population. But as varied as their backgrounds, their social status and their dedication to the Jewish religious community were, their political affiliations were just as divergent. What unifies these ten women and men and distinguishes their life stories from other citizens of Linz is anti-Semitism, which they were subjected to here even in the years prior to 1938. It drove Jews toward an agonizing crossroads from the very start of the Nazi dictatorship – stripped of their professions, their social positions, their civil rights and material goods, the only remaining hope for many of them was to flee abroad. Some of them didn’t get out in time – and became victims of the Shoah.

Verena Wagner is a Protestant theologian who has been researching the Jewish history of Linz, Austria since 2001. She interviewed witnesses in e.g. Israel, the U.K., the U.S. and Australia for this book.