Born in Boskovice (now in the
Czech Republic), he became an active Zionist while still in his
teens. He moved to Vienna, Austria, and when that community
became the first in the Central Europe with a Zionist majority,
he was elected its vice-president - and later president. In
1934, he was appointed to the Austrian Council of State.
Friedmann fought for Jewish rights and expanded the community's
educational, cultural and social programs. Shortly after the
1938 Anschluss he was
arrested by the Nazis and sent to various concentration camps.
In 1944, he and his wife were sent from Theresienstadt Nazi
concentration camp to their deaths in Auschwitz.
Links:
Accounts
of Desider Friedmann - Claims Resolution Tribunal
