Unterbergstrasse 6
Tel. (02682) 65145
Open: May- Oct: 10am-
5pm Tue- Sun
Nov- May 9am- 4pm Mon- Thu, 9am- 1pm Fri
The Österreichisches Jüdisches Museum (Austrian Jewish Museum) in Eisenstadt, located at Unterbergstraße 6 in the historic Wertheimerhaus within the former Jewish quarter, is a pivotal institution dedicated to preserving and showcasing Austrian Jewish heritage. Founded in 1972 as the first Jewish museum in Austria after World War II, it serves as a memorial to pre-1938 Austrian Jewry while fostering education, cultural dialogue, and research on Jewish history, traditions, and contemporary issues. The museum encompasses approximately 1,000 square meters of exhibition space and includes Austria's oldest preserved synagogue in its original function, the Privatsynagoge Samson Wertheimers. Managed by a non-profit association involving Austria's federal states, the Republic of Austria, the city of Eisenstadt, and the Israelitische Kultusgemeinde, it attracts visitors interested in the region's rich Jewish legacy, which spanned over 250 years in Eisenstadt, once known as "Little Jerusalem" for its Torah scholarship.
The museum's origins are rooted in the post-Holocaust effort to document and honor Jewish life in Austria. Established in April 1972 by Kurt Schubert, it was the inaugural Jewish museum in the country following 1945, initially focusing on the Burgenland region's unique Jewish history but expanding to a national and international scope. The Wertheimerhaus itself has a storied past: constructed in 1719 by Samson Wertheimer (1658-1724), a prominent Hungarian Rabbi, court factor to Emperor Leopold I, and war financier during the Spanish War of Succession. Wertheimer served as Chief Rabbi of Hungary and head of Eisenstadt's rabbinical court, making the building a center of Jewish intellectual life. Acquired by the Wolf Family in 1875, it functioned as a wine wholesale outlet until its forced Aryanization in 1938 during the Nazi era. The private synagogue within survived Kristallnacht in November 1938 and the war, one of few in German-speaking areas to do so. In 1978, the museum relocated to this site, and by 2023, Esther Heiss became its director, emphasizing modern approaches to education and preservation. The museum's logo, featuring Hebrew letters Alef (א) and Shin (ש), abbreviates "Eisenstadt" and symbolizes its deep ties to Jewish tradition.
Housed in the historic Wertheimerhaus (also known as Wertheimer'schen Freihaus), the museum's architecture blends preserved 18th-century elements with modern exhibition spaces. Commissioned by the Esterházy family and financed by Samson Wertheimer, the building features the integrated Privatsynagoge on the first floor, a small, intimate synagogue with a separate women's section, reflecting traditional Orthodox design. The structure is part of the ancient Judengasse (Jewish street), leading to the older Jewish cemetery, with remnants like a Sabbath chain, ritual basin, and Levite tankard on neighboring gates adding to the atmospheric historical context. The synagogue's survival through the Nazi period underscores its architectural resilience, while the overall site combines tradition and modernity to complement the artifacts, creating an immersive environment for visitors.
The museum's permanent exhibition on the first floor provides a comprehensive overview of Jewish festivities, life cycles, and cultural practices, including a library for deeper research. On the ground floor, a standout permanent feature is the Moses-cycle, a series of 50 paintings by Uriel Birnbaum depicting biblical scenes. The collections include religious artifacts (e.g., illuminated manuscripts, Chanukah lamps), historical documents, personal items, and wooden models of historic synagogues, illustrating Jewish contributions to Austrian society from the Middle Ages to the present, with emphasis on the Burgenland region and the Nazi era. Temporary exhibitions rotate on the ground floor, focusing on themes like Jewish art, history, and contemporary issues; as of August 2025, the museum hosts events such as curator-led tours and children's programs tied to exhibitions. The digitization of collections enhances accessibility, supporting educational initiatives for schools and researchers.
Central to the museum is the Privatsynagoge Samson Wertheimers, a gem of the site and one of Austria's few intact pre-war synagogues, offering insights into 18th-century religious life. The Moses-cycle by Uriel Birnbaum stands out for its artistic depiction of Jewish narratives. Visitors can explore the former Jewish quarter via a roundabout walk, including two Jewish cemeteries—one older with centuries-old tombstones and another from the 19th century—providing a tangible connection to the community's past. Educational programs, such as children's workshops and lectures, along with a platform for young artists and researchers, make it a dynamic space. The museum also addresses prejudices through dialogue-focused events, and its proximity to Palace Esterházy enhances its role in broader cultural tours.
As Austria's pioneering post-1945 Jewish museum, it holds profound cultural and historical importance, serving as a memorial to the vibrant Jewish communities of Burgenland and beyond, which once numbered around 900 in Eisenstadt alone. It documents the region's unique history under Esterházy protection, highlights figures like Samson Wertheimer and Meir Eisenstadt, and confronts the Holocaust's impact, including the survival of local synagogues and cemeteries. Nationally, it promotes understanding of Jewish contributions to Austrian society, combats antisemitism through education, and supports emerging scholarship. Internationally, it fosters dialogue on Jewish heritage, making it a key site for tourism, research, and cultural preservation in a UNESCO-recognized area near Lake Neusiedl.
The museum welcomes individual visitors seasonally and groups year-round, with guided tours enhancing the experience. As of August 2025, opening hours are from May 2 to October 26, Sunday to Thursday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (last entry 4:15 p.m.), closed Fridays, Saturdays (Shabbat), and Jewish holidays (e.g., June 2, September 23, October 2, 7, 15). From October 27 to May 1, open only for groups by appointment (Monday-Thursday 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., Friday 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.). Closed December 19, 2025, to January 6, 2026. Admission fees: Regular €5 (rising to €8.50 from June 16 to November 2 due to new exhibitions); reduced €3 (€6 during that period); family €8 (€15); groups (10+) €2.50 (€4.50); school groups €2 (free for 2 accompanying adults). Free with Burgenland Card; 40% discount for Ö1 Club members. Guided tours (1-1.5 hours) cost €35 per group/hour, free for schools; book 2 weeks in advance via phone (+43 2682 65145) or email (office@ojm.at). Accessibility details are not specified, but the site is in a historic building—contact for accommodations. Photography is allowed, but respect for the sacred spaces is required. Subscribe to the newsletter for event updates, including monthly concerts and readings.