History
The history of the Viennese HAKOAH
The Vienna HAKOAH (in Hebrew "Kraft") is one of the most traditional and successful sports clubs in Austria. However, its history also reflects the history of Viennese Jews of the 20th century.
Jewish sports club HAKOAH
The HAKOAH was founded in 1909 as a result of the increased self-confidence of liberal Jews and the changed attitude to physical culture. A second important reason was the exclusion of Jews from other sports clubs by the "Arierparagraphen". After the Jewish citizens in Vienna at the time were a large community (180,000), the HAKOAH enjoyed a rapid influx of people. As a result, various sections were established, such as fencing, football, hockey, athletics, wrestling and swimming.
After the First World War, the sports company - despite the difficult economic situation - expanded and it came to other sections such as ice hockey, handball, chess, ski tourism, tennis, table tennis and water polo. This made the HAKOAH one of the strongest sports clubs in Austria. The HAKOAH Platz in the Vienna Prater even became the social center of many Viennese Jews. The HAKOAH stadium held 3,500 seats and 25,000 standing places in 1922. An impeccable football field, running track and jump place for the many athletes of the club.
The enthusiasm of the Hakoahners of the interwar period was rewarded with numerous national and international titles (also at the Olympic Games).
The successes of the football and water polo teams, wrestlers and swimmers are legendary.
From 1933, the political situation intensified and the regular sports company was increasingly restricted. Many Hakoahners left Vienna and their beloved HAKOAH during these years.
In 1938, the HAKOAH offices were confiscated. The football and sports stadium in the Krieau of the municipality of Vienna SA-Standard 90 given in lease.
In 1941 the name HAKOAH was officially erased in Vienna, followed by the systematic annihilation of the Jewish population.
But only shortly after the Second World War was the HAKOAH breathed new life by a few survivors and returnees (about 6,000). With much enthusiasm and personal commitment, it was possible to rebuild some sections - even though the confiscated sports facilities were not reimbursed. In the beginning, the sport of swimming and athletics, basketball, bridge, football, judo, karate, tennis, table tennis and water polo were added. Unfortunately, not all of these sections could be sustained.
Although the number of Jewish athletes in Vienna had fallen dramatically after the Holocaust, they gained quite a few national and international titles. Especially at the Maccabi Games (the Jewish Olympic Games) Hakoahner could win some medals.
Today, the Jewish youth in Vienna is again interested in sports. The HAKOAH registered strong inflow and looks optimistically into the future.
