On the afternoon of Purim, the oval-shaped main sanctuary of Vienna’s Stadttempel was filled with the sounds of rattles and vuvuzelas as the community hosted a welcome party for the city’s Ukrainian Jewish refugees.

A large traffic light erected on the bimah in the synagogue told attendees when to drown out Haman’s name. Children in costumes ran about as Mordechai Rodgold, Israel’s ambassador to Austria, explained what his country was doing for Ukraine and Vienna’s chief rabbi Jaron Engelmayer read from the Book of Esther.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has now displaced more than three million Ukrainians. Five thousand Ukrainian Jews have thus far found safe haven in Israel, but thousands more have sought refuge inside the EU.

Among the 600 Jewish refugees in the care of Vienna’s Jewish community (IKG)  — a figure expected to rise to 1,000 by the end of the month — is “Maryia” (not her real name), who is pregnant and arrived having taken an arduous journey from her home in Dnipro with her husband and four children. She told the JC that though Vienna is a great place to be Jewish, she has family in Berlin and believes her husband may have better job prospects in Germany.

Refugees celebrate Purim in Viennaa3

Ukrainian refugees celebrate Purim in Vienna after escaping war

“The efforts that we’re undertaking right now are completely overwhelming,” IKG secretary general for Jewish affairs Benjamin Nägele told the JC. “Hundreds of volunteers as well as almost all the staff of the community have been 100 per cent committed to helping.”

The IKG’s work starts before refugees reach Vienna. “Some of our members have Ukrainian roots and know communities there, so we know of people that want to come to Vienna often before they even leave Ukraine and therefore can assist with transport,” Mr Nägele said.

Once in Austria, the IKG gives refugees a one-time cash payment and an Austrian SIM card. It also arranges short-term housing — in hotels, apartments or guest bedrooms made available by community members.

Refugees are provided with kosher meals twice a day, while ESRA, the community’s psychosocial centre, is responsible for healthcare, counselling and support. The community runs four schools and kindergartens.

When addressing Ukrainian Jewish refugees, Mr Nägele told the JC he always says the same thing: “You are part of the community, you are part of the family. You can stay here as long as you want.”

Donations can be made at the IKG website.