From Kahal to Religious Community: Galician Jews 1772 - 1790

The objective of this project is research on the transition of Jewish communities from a Kahal organisation, empowered by the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth with fiscal and political responsibilities, to non-associated religious communities in the Habsburg Monarchy. Up to now detailed research on this subject has not been conducted in full. Initially it is necessary to present the preliminary situation, primarily the legal status of Galician Jewish communities based on numerous privileges granted by Polish kings up to 1772. The subject matter of the next chapter is the transition period under the rule of Maria-Theresa, codified in Galician legislation regarding Jews (galizische Judenordnung) in 1776. This project intends to research in minute detail the period of reforms conducted by Joseph II. During the registration of Galician Jewry (galizische Judenkonskription) in 1782-83 and assignment of "german" surnames, the absolutistic state made complete lists of the Jewish population, which made possible direct tax collection without participation of Kahals. Subsequently the system of separate Jewish judicial procedures and autonomous organization of Kahals was abolished. On 7th May 1789 the Galician Tolerance Edict replaced Kahals with so-called Jewish community administrations. From that time Jewish communities were viewed only as "religious associations" politically subject to the local authorities. The Josephinian legislation regarding Galician Jews (Josephinische galizische Judenordnung) prohibited any associations above the level of separate religious communities. These changes were considered by the Jews of Galicia to be a limitation of their rights and a serious intrusion of the state into their lives. Their communities were atomized to a considerable degree. The consequences of Joseph II`s reforms were immense. They influenced cultural and religious self identification, political participation, as well as the entire social and economical development of Galician Jewry in the 19th century and therefore deserve closer consideration. The issues of this project include aspects of political, juridical, social and economic history. This analysis cannot be carried out without using ideological- and cultural-historical methods. Where the sources allow, an individual and microhistorical perspective will be used. The project should be completed in 24 months at the Institute for Jewish History of Austria (St. Poelten). Its results would be introduced to the broader scientific community at international conferences and also as a published monograph.