Day of Judaism

Events and religious services are held in many places in Austria on Jewish Day. Since 2019, the focus has been divided over three days: the “Day of Learning” on 12 January, the “Day of Remembrance” on 15 January, and the “Day of Celebration” on 17 January. The Coordinating Committee for Christian-Jewish Cooperation organizes its own events and provides supporting information. Its new president is university professor Regina Polak.

Regina Polak organizes a field of research in practical theology with a focus on interfaith dialogue. When and why did you begin to study Judaism in depth?

Regina Polak: I read Jewish philosophers such as Martin Buber and Emmanuel Levinas while I was studying philosophy. I have always been interested in non-Christian thinkers because they broaden and inspire both scientific horizons and questions about the meaning of life. Engaging with their approach helps to clarify what is one’s own. Martin Jäggle, a professor of religious education who was my colleague at the University of Vienna, later introduced me to Christian-Jewish dialogue. This helped me better understand the person of Jesus. And I discovered the anti-Jewish tradition in Christianity, which I had not been aware of before.

It is a dark chapter in the history of the Church…

specializedPolak: Anti-Jewish tradition is deeply rooted in the matrix of the Church and theology. It is essential to be aware of this so that theology and faith can continue to develop. It is exhausting, but it also brings joy. I remember an event with a rabbi where we interpreted Old Testament texts together. It was so enriching to perceive the wealth of meanings in the texts! In Whichlove, ofJewish tradition, there is an excellent love of interpretive diversity. It has brought me an enormous deepening of my own faith. Later, I specialized further and completed a university course in Krems on interfaith encounters between Jews, Christians, and Muslims. Interreligious dialogue is not just a hobby, but actually an obligation for believers. You have to know your own traditions and those of others well. You cannot be a Christian without reference to Judaism.

However, it is no longer so easy to establish a living connection to Judaism in Austria. Since the Shoah, only about 10,000 to 15,000 Jewish people live in Austria, most of them in Vienna.

Polak: On Judaism Day on 17 January, there are events and opportunities to meet in many cities across Austria. In the digital age, however, there are additional ways to engage, such as YouTube, podcasts, or good old books (see the extra box for tips). Dialogue is above all a spiritual attitude!

With Nostra Aetate, the Second Vatican Council brought about a turnaround in the understanding of Judaism. Is there a need for a new document on the relationship with Judaism?

Polak: Many documents have been published since then. The Catholic Magisterium is further ahead on this point than global theology and is often not sufficiently appreciated. In this regard, John Paul II cannot be highly enough esteemed theologically. This also applies to his teaching on Islam. The Holy See’s Commission for Religious Relations with Judaism published the document “Guidelines for a Correct Presentation of Jews and Judaism in Preaching and Catechesis in the Catholic Church” back in 1985. It contains some fundamental points. The Vatican website, vatican. VA has a wealth of additional documents.

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Anti-Semitism is growing rapidly again in Austria and worldwide. How is this manifested?

Polak: The study “What does Austria believe?”, which our institute conducted in 2024 in collaboration with ORF, shows that anti-Semitism is on the rise across society. For example, a culture of remembrance is not welcome. Forty percent of those surveyed are “against constantly bringing up the fact that Jews died in the Second World War”. Anti-Semitism is particularly pronounced on the left and right wings of the political spectrum. It is even stronger on the right than on the left, but it is also present on the left. Anti-Semitism is like a chameleon and changes throughout history. One of the most significant challenges is certainly anti-Semitism related to Israel.

What should we be mindful of? Unfortunately, anti-Semitic statements can also be made unintentionally.

Polak: Yes, the question is, for example, how to express justified criticism of the Netanyahu government’s policies. Stereotypes often lead to Israel being delegitimized or demonized, or to double standards being applied. This is also referred to as the “3 Ds” of anti-Semitism. Criticism of government decisions in Israel – as in other countries—should address human rights, international law, or political issues, but not question the right of the State of Israel to exist.

Back to Austria once again: As the new president of the Coordinating Committee for Christian-Jewish Cooperation, what are your priorities?

Polak: I don’t set the priorities alone. The Coordination Committee is a living network. Vice President Margit Leuthold is Protestant; Vice-President Willy Weisz is Jewish. Managing Director Yuval Katz-Wilfing is also Jewish. We are concerned with the renewal of the churches in the spirit of Christian-Jewish dialogue. This applies to all areas, including sermons, schools, and religious education… Our tasks also include promoting factual knowledge of Judaism, addressing Christian hostility towards Jews throughout history, keeping the memory of the Shoah alive, and combating hostility towards Jews, anti-Semitism, and all forms of racism.

What are the challenges today?

Polak: Our migrant society is also changing something in the culture of remembrance. I would like to see a growing awareness in Austria that history is not over. Not for the Jewish families whose families were exterminated. And also not for those families who have not dealt sufficiently with the role their ancestors played during the Nazi era.
Incidentally, the Coordination Committee will celebrate its 75th anniversary in 2027, which will be an important milestone. Our work offers many opportunities to learn more about and deepen not only Judaism but also our own Christian faith through dialogue. It is very easy to find out more about us or become a member. Members receive regular event information and access to documents and can also use our excellent library.

The threshold for this is high because many people are worried about saying something wrong and then being labelled anti-Semitic …

Polak: I’ve seen this in my classes too. Many people are afraid of saying the wrong thing. If you want to change that, you have to jump in and say something wrong once in a while. Yes, you will make mistakes, but not because you are a bad person, but because anti-Jewish motives are so deeply ingrained in the collective memory. I, too, have put my foot in it many times and know how ashamed you feel afterwards. It is okay to make mistakes when you are learning something new. This creates a space in which you can discover many new and exciting things.