In 1910 in Chernivtsi out of a total population of 90.000, around 33% were Jews. Chernivtsi was the only capital of an Austrian province (Landeshauptstadt) where Jewish citizens managed to become mayor twice: Eduard Reiss (1905-1907) and Salo von Weisselberger (1914). <br />The photo shows the funeral of Eduard Reiss who was elected mayor in April 1905 and died unexpectedly on April 27th 1907, at the age of 57. Before, from 1894-1905 he was vice mayor. It was in his term of office that important cultural and infra-structural projects were realized, like the city theatre, the palace of justice and the new railway station. After his death a street was named after him, todays vul. Ukrainska. <br />The funeral was attended by thousands of citizens. The religous sevice took place in the old synagogue in Synagogengasse (Str. Wilson, vul. Barbusa), where the picture was taken. <br /><em>Helmut Kusdat</em>