Association of Jewish Front Line Soldiers and Women's Group

In January 1935, former Jewish soldiers from the First World War founded the Association of Jewish Front Line Soldiers, chapter St. Pölten. This Association was the largest Jewish organisation above party lines in Austria. Its ambition was the resistance against anti-Semitism and the defence of Jewish honour. The contributions of Jewish soldiers during World War One were a particular focus point.

From the very beginning, the Association of Front Line Soldiers (BJF) was received with great interest and soon counted more than 40 members. Hans Frank was nominated chapter leader; his stand-in was Robert Leicht. Moritz Simon acted as Wehrführer. Further members of the committee were Adolf Berger, Edmund Hahn and Herman Löw as well as Franz Mandl as "youth representative".

In April 1937, a Women’s Group was founded. Berta Berger, Jella Hahn, Irma Leicht and Irma Löw took over the group leadership. The non-party program and its dignified demeanour against virulent anti-Semitism turned the BJF into a »melting pot« of representatives with the most different political worldviews.