Jakob Ehrlich facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jakob Ehrlich
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Jakob Ehrlich around 1930
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| Born | 15 September 1877 Bystřice pod Hostýnem, Austria-Hungary
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| Died | 17 May 1938 (aged 60) |
Jakob Ehrlich (born September 15, 1877 – died May 17, 1938) was an important leader in the Zionist movement and for the Jewish community in Vienna, Austria. Before World War II, he represented the city's 180,000 Jewish citizens in the local government. When the German army entered Vienna in March 1938, he was among those sent to the Nazi camp at Dachau. He sadly died there a few weeks later. His wife, Irma Hutter Ehrlich, and their son moved to England and then the USA. She helped rescue Jewish children from Europe through organizations like WIZO and Hadassah.
Contents
Jakob Ehrlich's Life Story
Early Life and Zionist Work
Jakob Ehrlich was born in Bystřice pod Hostýnem, a town in what was then Austria-Hungary. When he was young, he joined Theodor Herzl's Zionist organization. This group worked to create a Jewish homeland. He later studied law in Vienna and joined a Jewish student group called "Ivria."
As a young man, he traveled a lot, giving speeches about modern Zionism. He helped set up Zionist groups in different areas like Moravia, Bohemia, and Austria.
In 1908, he returned to Vienna and became a lawyer. He was a very good speaker and organizer. Because of his efforts, the Zionist group gained more seats in the Jewish community council, called the Kultusgemeinde. In 1913, the 11th Zionist Congress (a big meeting of Zionists) was held in Vienna. Jakob Ehrlich was chosen as the Vice-President of this important meeting.
World War I and Helping Others
During World War I, Ehrlich served as an officer in the Austrian army. After fighting on the front lines, he was moved to Odessa. There, he helped a group of young Jewish men who were wrongly accused of revolutionary activities. They had been sentenced to death, but Ehrlich proved they were innocent, saving their lives. One of these young men was the son of Menachem Ussishkin, another Zionist leader.
After the war, the Vienna City Council was re-established. Ehrlich was a top candidate for the Jewish Nationalist group. In the Council, he spoke out against unfair treatment of Jewish citizens. He used facts and numbers to show how they were being harmed. He was especially known for helping Jews who were moving to Vienna during the wars in places like Galicia to become citizens.
Organizing Zionist Conferences
In August 1925, the 14th World Zionist Conference took place in Vienna's Concert Hall. As a member of the city government, Ehrlich welcomed the delegates. Even though he knew the danger from the growing Nazi movement, he had to speak carefully. The conference hall was protected by Jewish youth groups and students.
In his opening speech, Ehrlich reminded everyone of the 11th Zionist Congress held 12 years earlier in Vienna. He pointed out that since then, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem had been created. He hoped that the 14th Congress would help the Jewish people become "a free people among free peoples."
In 1933, after the Nazi party took power in Germany, Ehrlich visited Palestine. He was excited by many things he saw, but also realized the difficult conditions there. He even made plans to get immigration visas for his family and friends, but this plan was not carried out.
Standing Up to Fascism
By 1938, Jakob Ehrlich was the official representative for Vienna's Jewish citizens in the city government. He gave a powerful speech during a budget meeting that brought international attention to the rise of fascism in Austria. He showed how unfair laws against Jewish citizens also hurt the government and the idea of justice for everyone.
This speech was printed in many foreign newspapers, which supported his views. German newspapers also reported on it, and the Nazi paper Der Stürmer attacked him angrily.
A few months later, the German army entered Vienna. Ehrlich was arrested on false charges of trying to organize resistance against the Nazis. He died in the camp shortly after. His body was returned to Vienna and he was buried in the city's Jewish cemetery. In 1988, a memorial plaque was placed in the Vienna town hall to remember Jakob Ehrlich and other city council members who died during the Nazi period.
