The Synagogue of Laa (quotation from a book)
The following quotation is from the book „Synagogen in Österreich“ (= Synagogues in Austria), written by the Austrian specialist on synagogues Dr. Pierre Genee. It was published in 1992 by Löcker.
It goes back to the beginning of my research because Dr. Genee was one of the first people I contacted. His book was published many years before the synagogue was renovated, when I was still a high school student. It was a special honor for me that Dr. Genee was giving a speech during the presentation ceremony of the memorial in 2005.
„Before 1938 the Jewish community of Laa an der Thaya (were at least 24 Jewish families lived) was helped out in services through the Jewish community of Mistelbach. Even before the turn of the century a praying-room was established at the first floor of the house at the corner Burgplatz - Kirchenplatz 16. Rabbis came from different communities to make services there. Dr. Gelbhaus form Vienna is known to be the rabbi for the years 1908 and 1909. The house still stands today, nobody lives in it and it looks very shabby. Magdalena Müllner was inside shortly. The outside decoration is typical for the turn of the century. Eye-catching are the ornaments beyond the upper windows, which show a plant consisting of seven leaves and could point at the original aim of the building. The only remaining piece of furniture is a collecting box, which carries the Hebrew writing >>Mattan Beseter<< (= a gift in secret). It was found under the roof of the house.“
The following clippings from the book show the house in 1918 and in 1991.
