As a singer of Yiddish songs in modern interpretations that emphasize the contemporary relevance of Yiddish culture, and as a member of the Jewish Theater of Austria and the International Jewish Theater Ensemble, the effort to re-establish the Jewish theater in the Nestroyhof is especially close to my heart.Having ceased to exist since 1938, now, finally, a Jewish theater ensemble is being developed again, thanks to the tireless engagement of its artistic and stage director, Warren Rosenzweig. And what could be more appropriate than to allow this ensemble to move into the very location where formerly the Jewish theater was at home?At present, the Jewish Theater of Austria is forced to lead a nomadic existence and receives no government subsidies – evidence that contemporary, living Jewish culture here in Vienna does not enjoy the goodwill of the city government.* Antisemitism has once again become socially acceptable, even if today it often wears the disguise of anti-imperialism, and it comes from all political groups.By contrast, the Jewish Theater of Austria seeks to share a positive understanding of Jewish culture with the non-Jewish majority of the population and to contribute to a common dialogue. Hopefully, this too will inspire the city government to allow the Nestroyhof to become an international Jewish theater once again – what it was built to be in the first place.Let’s join together to give the Nestroyhof back for its original purpose!
Naama Isabelle Fassbinder-Davidowicz, Vienna
2004-07-04
Tranlated by Angelika Peaston peaston@aon.at
*Not-for-profit, professional theater arts funding in Austria is fully government centralized. (ed.)
