Before World War I, Vienna became a center for Jewish converts from Austria and abroad. During this period, the Schottenpfarre became the most important convert parish in the Catholic Church and was the place where prominent representatives from art, culture, and scholarship would convert. The basis of this volume is handwritten sources pertaining to baptism that, when compiled, reveal the surprising motivations behind baptism.

Anna L. Staudacher, Institute of Austrian Historical Research, University of Vienna, Austria.