A Jewish heart in Europe: How Chabad in Vienna became a fortress of hope, education, and continuity

Where once stood a train station formerly owned by the Rothschild family, in which Hitler gave a speech upon entering Vienna, and an antisemitic exhibition called “The Eternal Jew” was also displayed there, now stands one of the largest Jewish campuses in Europe.

The campus currently includes 10 kindergartens, an elementary school, a middle school, a new Jewish high school, bachelor’s and master’s programs in business (LBS), and kosher student dormitories, all under a unified Jewish educational mission driven by Chabad emissaries.

Establishing the campus wasn’t easy. Initial requests for permits were repeatedly denied due to political opposition and historical sensitivities. Then, unexpectedly, help came from a local journalist, a former editor of an antisemitic newspaper, who publicly repented for his views and became a vocal supporter of the Jewish project.

He published a series of positive articles and used his connections to persuade authorities to approve the plan. “He became the angel who opened the way for us,” recalled Rabbi Biderman.

Located not far from the city center, the campus walls now display children’s artwork, sacred texts, and the Israeli flag. The site is not only home to educational institutions but also hosts community events, conferences, and seminars.

This success has also been made possible thanks to strong, stable backing from international philanthropic organizations. The Lauder Foundation, led by Ronald Lauder, has been a key pillar in building the academic and educational institutions on campus, funding infrastructure, scholarships, and academic programs.

“Without the Lauder Foundation’s support, much of what’s happened here wouldn’t have been possible,” said campus administrators.

Rabbi Israel Wolosow said, “The Yael Foundation helped us dream big. Thanks to them, we turned the Jewish school into a top-tier educational hub.”

The Lauder Business School (LBS), led by Rabbi Baruch Sabach, has become a magnet for Jewish students from around the world. Beyond high academic standards, students enjoy Shabbat meals, Jewish studies, personal support, and collaborative programs with Israeli institutions.

“We have Israelis, Russians, Americans, Colombians, all Jews who want to study without fear of their identity,” Rabbi Sabach explained. “The dorms are right next to the university, and life here allows students to feel at home.”

In conversations with students, one theme repeats: a home away from home. In addition to academics, there are weekly Shabbat gatherings, seminars, lectures, and Friday night meals with dozens of young people around the table. The university administration fully supports these activities.

Rabbi Moshe and Dina Kolomiytsev have built the largest Russian-speaking Jewish community in Europe. In addition to educational and social activities, they work to strengthen Jewish identity among immigrants from Ukraine, Russia, and other former Soviet republics.

“We fight assimilation every single day,” said Rebbetzin Kolomiytsev. “Every child who enters a Jewish framework is a success. Every circumcision is a miracle. And it’s happening here.”

The Russian-speaking community now includes hundreds of families, many of whom are war refugees. Chabad provides them with physical assistance, emotional support, and a Jewish framework, often for the first time in their lives. The guiding motto: “No matter where you came from, you're Jewish, you belong.”

The formal education system now serves over 600 students. Many of them had no prior exposure to Judaism before enrolling. Rabbi Israel Wolfson, the educational director, explained: “Our goal is to instill identity, Hebrew, love of Israel, and community. We successfully integrate students from all backgrounds, ultra-Orthodox, traditional, and secular, into one classroom, one heart.”

The curriculum is divided by levels, so students without prior Jewish knowledge can gradually integrate. Teachers are carefully selected, and the approach is inclusive and non-coercive. In addition, students participate in holiday lessons, international trips, seminars, and extracurricular activities.

One of the most notable projects representing Chabad’s vision in Vienna is the Jewish hotel Valayan boutique located in the heart of the city, not far from the campus. The hotel allows religious and Jewish tourists from around the world to enjoy a comfortable, kosher, and safe stay in the center of Europe.

Run by emissary Motti Segal, the hotel also serves as a spiritual home: it includes a synagogue, communal Shabbat meals, tourist information in Hebrew, and spiritual guidance. “Our goal is for every Jew who comes to Vienna to feel not just that they’re not alone, but that they’re at home,” explained one of the emissaries.

The hotel also hosts groups, youth delegations, rabbis, journalists, and students, and is an integral part of Chabad’s educational and outreach efforts. It frequently hosts classes, community events, and informal gatherings that bring people together.

As the community grows, Chabad is working to expand student housing and build the next generation. “We need 100–200 more beds,” said Rabbi Sabach. “Without housing, it’s hard to maintain Jewish life. It’s an urgent need.”

At the same time, plans are underway to deepen ties with the State of Israel, through programs like Birthright, Masa, the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs, and more. The dream: to build a living, two-way bridge between Jerusalem and Vienna.

Chabad’s Vienna is not just a community, it’s a story of mission, identity, hope, and revival. Every institution, kindergarten, university, and hotel, is built on a single principle: every Jew matters. Everyone belongs.

“We don’t judge, we embrace,” Rabbi Biderman concluded. “And that’s exactly why we’re seeing miracles, every single day.”