The WJC-affiliated Jewish Community of Vienna awarded EU Anti-Semitism Commissioner Katharina von Schnurbein with the Marietta and Friedrich Torberg Medaon Medal on Wednesday, honoring the antisemitism envoy for her extraordinary commitment to combatting antisemitism and to Jewish life in Europe.
"It is a special honor for me to present the highest award of the Jewish Community, the Marietta and Friedrich Torberg Medal, to Katharina von Schnurbein. She is a true friend to all Jews in Europe and shares with us the vision of a diverse society, free from incitement and antisemitism,” said Oskar Deutsch, President of the Jewish Community of Vienna.
“As the European Commission's Antisemitism Officer, she has shown that her work benefits the weakest Jewish communities in particular. Therefore, with this award, we also want to say thank her for her extraordinary commitment as a strong ally for Jewish life in Europe,” Deutsch added.
“I am pleased to have the opportunity to do this work with the backing of the European Commission and I share this award with all who support me in this endeavor. The newly adopted Antisemitism Strategy is our commitment to a safe society for all Jewish citizens in Europe and beyond. I look forward to working with member states, Jewish communities and civil society to implement this strategy. Europe can only flourish if Jewish communities flourish as well,” said von Schnurbein.
Speaking at the event, Austrian EU and Constitutional Minister Karoline Edtstadle praised von Schnurbein as the “undisputed fixed star in the Brussels sky when it comes to combating antisemitism and hatred of Jews. She has my full support as Minister for Europe in this endeavor."
