Tree Planted in Vienna to Mark the Jewish New Year

Mein Bezirk, February 13, 2025

German original: https://www.meinbezirk.at/leopoldstadt/c-lokales/baum-anlaesslich-des-juedischen-neujahrs-in-wien-gepflanzt_a7151826

On the occasion of the Jewish New Year of Trees, IKG Vienna President Oskar Deutsch and City Councillor for Social Affairs Peter Hacker (SPÖ) planted a tree in the courtyard of the Maimonides Center in Leopoldstadt.

VIENNA/LEOPOLDSTADT. Thursday, February 13, marks the beginning of the Jewish New Year of Trees, Tu biSchwat. One tradition that is already a fixed part of the program of the Jewish Community (IKG) Vienna on this day is the planting of trees at the Jewish Maimonides Center in Leopoldstadt.

This year, IKG President Oskar Deutsch and City Councillor for Social Affairs Peter Hacker (SPÖ) planted a cherry tree in the courtyard of the senior citizens' center. In honor of the supporter, the tree was named “Peter” after the city councilor himself.

Hacker is pleased about the cooperation between the city and the IKG: “We are proud that the Jewish community is growing and are happy to support it. Also because it is a great part of a colorful city. Just as we imagine life in our city.”

Rootedness of generations

The traditional tree planting has several important meanings in Judaism. The planted cherry tree not only stands for the rootedness of Viennese Jews in the Land of Israel, but also for responsibility towards generations.

Auch Hacker sieht die Baumpflanzung als einen symbolischen Akt, nicht nur im Hinblick auf die Verantwortung und Geschichte der Stadt: "Ich mag auch die Idee, einen Baum zu verpflanzen, der sich verwurzelt und dadurch auch den Standort definiert."