World Jewish Congress to award highest honor to Vienna Mayor Michael Haupl

VIENNA (WJC)–Michael Häupl, mayor of the Austrian capital Vienna, will be awarded the World Jewish Congress’ highest distinction, the Nahum Goldmann Medal, which is named after the long-time president of the organization and is awarded to statesmen and other leaders in recognition of their services to world Jewry. WJC President Ronald S. Lauder will present the medal to Häupl on Monday in a special ceremony at Vienna City Hall, at which Israel’s Defense Minister Ehud Barak will also be present.

Lauder praised Häupl for the huge contribution he has made in reviving Jewish life in Vienna during his tenure as mayor, e.g. by building the Judenplatz Holocaust Memorial, by facilitating the construction of Jewish schools and other institutions, by courageously speaking out against anti-Semitism and extremism, and by always having an open ear for the community’s concerns. “Mayor Häupl is well aware that this was once one of the major Jewish centers in Europe, and through his words and actions he has helped to turn Vienna into a magnet for Jewish visitors from around the world. Jews feel welcome there again,” the WJC president declared. Prior to 1938, when the Nazis annexed Austria, Vienna had a Jewish population of nearly 200,000.

Among past recipients of the Nahum Goldmann Medal are former US President Jimmy Carter, former British Prime Minister Harold Wilson, former German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt, former Argentinean President Raúl Alfonsin, and the American astronomer and writer Carl Edward Sagan.

In Vienna, Lauder – who during the 1980s served as US ambassador to Austria – will also meet with Austrian President Heinz Fischer, Federal Chancellor Werner Faymann, Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger, to discuss, among others, issues such as the Iranian threat and the situation in the Middle East.

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Preceding provided by World Jewish Congress