Vienna's Chief Rabbi to Depart for Israel This Fall

Jaron Engelmayer's exit marks a significant change for the Viennese Jewish community after six challenging years.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Vienna's Chief Rabbi, Jaron Engelmayer, will be leaving his post this fall and returning to Israel with his family. The announcement was made by Oskar Deutsch, President of the Israelitische Kultusgemeinde Wien (IKG). Engelmayer's tenure coincided with a rise in antisemitism, which he had publicly highlighted. While the IKG has accepted his decision, it underscores the anxieties within the Jewish community in Europe. The IKG has begun the process of finding a suitable successor.

Why it matters

Engelmayer's departure reflects a broader trend of Jewish families choosing to relocate to Israel, seeking a sense of security and connection to their heritage. This could lead to a shift in the demographic makeup of European Jewish communities and a greater focus on strengthening ties with Israel.

The details

Born in Zurich in 1976, Engelmayer studied in the US and Israel, and even completed military service in Israel. Prior to his appointment in Vienna in August 2020, he served as a rabbi in Germany and Northern Israel. His departure comes as the Stadttempel, Vienna's oldest active synagogue, undergoes a significant restoration project funded by donations.

  • Engelmayer will be leaving his post this fall, after the High Holy Days.
  • Engelmayer has served as Vienna's Chief Rabbi for the past six years.

The players

Jaron Engelmayer

The outgoing Chief Rabbi of Vienna, who is returning to Israel with his family.

Oskar Deutsch

The President of the Israelitische Kultusgemeinde Wien (IKG), the organization that oversees the Viennese Jewish community.

Arie Folger

The predecessor of Jaron Engelmayer as the Chief Rabbi of Vienna.

Paul Chaim Eisenberg

The long-serving Chief Rabbi of Vienna before Arie Folger.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

The IKG has already begun the process of forming a committee to find a suitable successor to Jaron Engelmayer as the Chief Rabbi of Vienna.

The takeaway

Engelmayer's departure is part of a larger conversation about the safety and future of Jewish life in Europe. While Jewish communities across the continent are striving to maintain a vibrant presence, concerns about antisemitism and security are prompting some families to consider relocation, which could lead to a shift in the demographic makeup of European Jewish communities and a greater focus on strengthening ties with Israel.