The Jewish community of Kittsee began its existence in the 17th century (mentioned for the first time in 1663) and starting with 1716 was one of the “Seven Communities” in the region of Burgenland. After the expulsion of Jews from Vienna and Lower Austria in 1669/71, some Jewish families seem to have settled in Kittsee. A cemetery was established and a synagogue was built. In 1728, a rabbinical court chaired by Maharam Asch Meir dealt with a dispute between Jews from Eisenstadt and Kittsee. The community boasted in the 19th century an impresive community life with several rabbinical authorities. In 1885, the Jewish community of Gattendorf, which had its own synagogue from 1833, was annexed to Kittsee. Gattendorf lost its own rabbi, but kept its shochet (Jewish ritual butcher). Religious services were held in the synagogue of Gattendorf until 1938.
In 1932, there were 58 Jews living in Kittsee. The community maintained several institutions, a synagogue and a cemetery that were established in the 17th century. There were also cultural organizations and a Chevra Kadischa (burial society). Among the prominent rabbis of the community a special mention should be amnde of Chaim ben Ascher Anschel, teacher and illustrator, who lived in the late 18th century.
After the annexation of Austria in March 1938, 51 Jews from Kittsee and Kroatisch-Jahrndorf were arrested by the SA, robbed and brought by boat to an island on the Danube. They were saved by the citizens of the Czech village of Theben and by border police. After a short stay in Theben, they were transferred to the police prison in Bratislava, then deported to Hungary and from there driven back to Austria. The SA imprisoned them in barracks, but moved them after protests by some local people from Kittsee.