European Commission Coordinator on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life, Katharina von Schnurbein, was bestowed with the Friedrich and Marietta Torberg Medal by the Jewish community of Vienna (IKG Wien).
The awarding ceremony took place on November 10, 2021 in the presence of the presidents of several Jewish communities from all over Europe who comprise the Executive Committee Committee and Israeli Minister of Diaspora Affairs Nachman Shai.
The laudatory speech for the award ceremony was given by Austrian Federal Minister for EU Affairs and the Constitution Karoline Edtstadler.
The Friedrich and Marietta Torberg Medal is the highest honour bestowed by IKG Wien, Austria’s EJC affiliate. The community’s culture community had unanimously voted in favour of awarding Ms. von Schnurbein the medal in recognition of her efforts to combat antisemitism in all its forms throughout Europe.
“It is a special honor for me to present the highest award of the IKG Wien, the Marietta and Friedrich Torberg Medal, to Katharina von Schnurbein. She is a true friend to all Jews in Europe and shares with us the vision of a diverse society, free from antisemitism and incitement,” said IKG President Oskar Deutsch.
As the European Commission Coordinator, she has shown that her work benefits the most vulnerable Jewish communities in particular. Therefore, with this award, we also want to say thank you: for her extraordinary commitment as a strong ally for Jewish life in Europe.”
“I am honored to receive the Marietta and Friedrich Torberg Medal from the IKG Vienna in recognition of my work on combatting antisemitism and strengthening Jewish life,” said Ms. von Schnurbein.
“I am pleased to have the opportunity and the backing of the European Commission to do this work and share this award with all who support me in this endeavor. The newly adopted EU Strategy on combating antisemitism is our commitment to a safe society for all Jewish citizens in Europe and beyond. I look forward to working with member states, Jewish communities and civil society to implement this strategy. Europe can only thrive if Jewish communities thrive as well,” she added.
For her part, Ms. Karoline Edtstadler, Federal Minister for the EU and the Constitution said: “I am very pleased that Katharina von Schnurbein was honored today with the Marietta and Friedrich Torberg Medal, thanking her for her many years of support and friendship. She is the undisputed star in Brussels when it comes to standing up against antisemitism and she has my full support as Minister for Europe in this endeavor.
