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). 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. 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. Helmut Kusdat
