December 2 1848 – 7 Kislev 5609
Franz Josef I, whose enemies called him the “Judenkaiser” for his sympathy toward his Jewish subjects, became emperor of Austria. Generally remembered for declaring war on Serbia in 1914 and starting World War I, this ruler also protected the Jews if his empire, condemning anti-Semitism and even visiting Jerusalem and contributing to the building of the Tiferet Israel synagogue there in 1869.