Buying Seats for Yomim Noraim

The Schiffschul in Vienna
קהל עדת ישראל
The Strohs sat near the מזרח וואנט

 in the second row from the front

on the right hand side of the Shul

In many communities it is customary to "buy" seats in the men and women's sections of the Shul for the Yomim Noraim. 

The Strohs in Vienna were mispalelim in the famous עדת ישראל Schiffschull. Dally's father Dov (Berthold) was one of the Gaboim there. 

Copy of the Schifschull תקנות (printed in 1908)
Rules pertaining to the leasing of seats

The תקנות of the Schifschull were printed in a small pamphlet, in 1908, which we found very interesting. We are translating the תקנות pertaining to the leasing of the seats.

Leasing of Seats

41) The leasing of the Seats in the Schul is under the auspices of the acting Gaboim, as long as they do not contradict the תקנות. 

42) The possessor of the seat has the right to request the שמש to free up his seat if it is occupied by someone else.

43) The first three rows in the middle section and the corresponding four rows on the side sections are reserved, at an agreed upon higher price, for worthy בעלי בתים of the community. In case of necessity, the chairman has the right to sell the seats at a reduced rate. The גבאים in consultation with the chairman will decide regarding seats that have not been sold. 

Dally's Schul Eintrittskarte (Entrance Card)
For ימים נוראים of the year 5699 (1938-9)
The Schifschul was destroyed on Kristallnacht by the Nazi's ימ"ש
ט"ז מרחשון תרצ"ט (Nov. 10, !938)
 Dally & Ma fled Vienna in December 1938

Reverse of the Schul Eintrittskarte
With excerpts of the Schul Takanos
translated below

Translation:

(front of card)

This card must be shown upon demand each time one uses the Schul, particularly on ראש השנה and יום כיפור. Only the leaser whose name appears on this card may make use of this seat.

It is prohibited to sell or lease this seat further. If one sells the seat he losses his rights in the future.

The rights for this seat are valid for this year only, and there may be no legal claims for the future.  

(reverse of cards) 

Excerpts from the Schul Takanos

Each visitor of the Schul is required, in the general interest, to fulfill all the Schul Takanos meticulously.

It is officially forbidden to linger in the aisles. The שמשים will be present to strictly enforce these rules.  

It is not permissible to place articles of clothing on the benches; there is a cloakroom available for the use of seat holders.

It is strictly forbidden to enter the Schul on יום כיפור or תשעה באב with leather shoes.

The provisions regarding the use of the seats are posted by the officers on the bulletin board.

Comments or complaints may be brought to the Schul officers whose names are posted at the entrance of the Schul. 

Omi's (Ma's mother's) Eintrittskarte (Entrance Card)
For ימים נוראים of the year 5698 (1937-8)
  Opi & Omi fled Vienna in 1939

Reverse of the Schul Eintrittskarte
With excerpts of the Schul Takanos
translated above