World Jewish Congress President Ronald Lauder was in Vienna for an informal talk moderated by the former president of the Jewish community, Ariel Muzicant.
Lauder spoke about his time as US ambassador to Austria from 1986 to 1987. Other topics included growing anti-Semitism in Europe as well as Lauder's talks with Syrian leader Hafez al-Assad in 1998.
Lauder spoke about his philanthropic work to revive Jewish life in Europe and the 17 schools and institutions he has founded, including the Lauder Business School in Vienna. The only problem, he admitted, was that students were leaving for the US after their studies. "We have enough people in the States," he said. 'Young people are needed here to build up the community.'
Muzicant spoke about the Viennese approach to integrating outsiders. "We in Vienna do more to welcome new immigrants and integrate them into our community. We are a community that really cares about everyone," he said.
