Klosterneuburg

In the 13th century, the monastery of Klosterneuburg, which owned much land and engaged in many legal transactions, contacted Jews from Vienna and St. Poelten for loans. Jews seem to have actually settled in Klosterneuburg in the first decades of the 14th century. Between 1350 and 1420 about 20 Jewish men and families are documented. Some of them lived also in Vienna. They were under the legislation of the Duke of Austria who could always confiscate their money. There is evidence of a Judenrichter (Judge) from the 1430s, who was appointed owing to the great number of legal activities conducted by Jews.

Plume, a widow with extensive business connections, is mentioned for the first time in 1321. She was the founder of the most influential Jewish family in Klosterneuburg and of the Jewish community there. Plume bought a house, formerly belonging to the castle, in which a synagogue was established (today at Albrechtsbergergasse 4). Her son-in-law Abraham served as a rabbi. Her grandson, David Steuss, was to become the most prominent and influential Jew of Austria due to the extent of his business activities and connections. In 1435 a Jewish physician is documented.

In 1338, the Jews were affected by the persecution following the host desecration accusation of Pulkau, but the community continued to exist. The “Vienna Gezera” (persecutions) also affected members of the Jewish community in Klosterneuburg. One woman accepted baptism and married a Christian citizen from Klosterneuburg.