Jewish Community in the Austro-Hungarian Empire

The Jewish community in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, which existed from 1867 to 1918, was diverse and vibrant, comprising various groups such as Ashkenazi Jews in the north and Sephardic Jews in the south. Despite facing legal restrictions and social discrimination, Jews contributed significantly to the empire's cultural, scientific, and economic life. Urban centers like Vienna became hubs of Jewish intellectualism and modernization. The community experienced a mix of assimilation and cultural preservation, leading to a flourishing of Jewish arts, literature, and religious life amidst the complexities of national identity and rising antisemitism, especially leading up to the 20th century.