The Jewish community in Sweden is represented by the Judiska Centralrådet (The Official Council of Swedish Jewish Commmunities), the Swedish affiliate of the World Jewish Congress.
Sweden
WJC Affiliate
Judiska Centralrådet
CEO: Hanna Halpern
Telephone: +46 8 58 78 58 00
Fax: +46 8 58 78 58 58
Email: info@jfst.se
Website: jfst.se
Social Media:
Facebook: Judiska Församlingen i Stockholm (The Jewish Congregation in Stockholm)
Instagram: @judiskaforsamlingen
CEO: Hanna Halpern
Telephone: +46 8 58 78 58 00
Fax: +46 8 58 78 58 58
Email: info@jfst.se
Website: jfst.se
Social Media:
Facebook: Judiska Församlingen i Stockholm (The Jewish Congregation in Stockholm)
Instagram: @judiskaforsamlingen
President: Aron Verständig
History
The dominance of anti-Jewish hostility propagated by the Lutheran Church prevented Jews from settling in Sweden until the late 18th century. In 1775, King Gustav III, motivated by the need to accelerate Sweden's economic development, lifted the ban on Jewish immigration and granted Jews the right to settle, without the requirement of converting to Christianity, in Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Norrköping. The economic freedoms allowed to Jews were encouraging, but religious liberties were not generous.
In 1838, Jews in Sweden were granted nearly complete emancipation and were recognized as Swedish subjects rather than “foreigners.” However, a negative reaction from certain sectors of the population forced the monarch to maintain limitations on cities of residence and on the holding of political office. The final restriction on Swedish Jewry, the right to hold ministerial office, was not removed until 1951.
From the moment of emancipation, when Swedish Jewry numbered perhaps 1,000 people, the community's size grew steadily to 3,000 by 1880 and to 7,000 by 1933. Religiously, the community tended to favor the liberal model of religious practice pioneered by the German Reform movement, and, in general, Jews were treated as peers by their non-Jewish countrymen at the turn of the 20th century.
World War I and the inter-war period saw a restrictive immigration policy that only allowed small groups of German, Austrian, and Czech Jews to immigrate to Sweden in the 1930s. During this time, a law banning Jewish ritual slaughter was enacted and remains in effect today.
Following World War II and the laudable efforts conducted by the Swedish people during the Holocaust, Sweden’s Jewish population continuously increased in the latter half of the 20th century. In 1997, the Swedish government established a committee to investigate the issue of Nazi gold transferred to Sweden during the war. Against the backdrop of the European Convention, the Swedish Parliament in 1999 recognized Jews, the indigenous Sami, Roma, Swedish Finns, and Tornedalians as national minorities in Sweden. The reason was that these groups have a historically established right of residence in Sweden. In 2000, it hosted a major international conference on the Holocaust, attended by political leaders from 50 countries.
In the 2020s, the Jewish community in Sweden will continue to face significant challenges. Antisemitic incidents, both verbal and physical, have been reported across various cities, not limited to Malmö. The rise of digital platforms has also facilitated the spread of hate speech and antisemitic rhetoric, complicating efforts to combat these issues. However, the Swedish government has shown a strong commitment to addressing these concerns.
In 2021, Sweden hosted the Malmö International Forum on Holocaust Remembrance and Combating Antisemitism. This event aimed to strengthen global efforts against antisemitism and involved commitments from several countries and organizations to take concrete actions in education, law enforcement, and support for Jewish communities. The forum highlighted the need for a multifaceted approach to effectively tackle antisemitism, combining legal measures, education, and community support.
In recent years, antisemitism has become especially problematic. The city of Malmö, with its large Muslim population, has earned a reputation as an especially inhospitable city for Jews and has been the scene of repeated antisemitic incidents. The legal system in Sweden generally allows the free expression of antisemitic, racist, and xenophobic ideas; however, a ban on Holocaust denial has been legislated. Right-wing extremist groups, often with neo-Nazi sympathies, have perhaps a few thousand members. Some of these groups have links to Europe-wide extremist networks. Former Prime Minister Stefan Löfven has condemned antisemitic actions and sentiments and has vowed to confront antisemitism head-on and root it out of Swedish society.
The Years of the Holocaust
In 1930, the number of Jews in Sweden had risen to just over 6,600. Between then and the outbreak of World War II in 1939, Sweden received about 3,000 Jews from countries such as Germany, a relatively small number due to restrictive refugee policies. From 1933 to 1939, 3,000 Jews were admitted into Sweden, and another 1,000 were allowed to use Sweden as a point of transit.
By 1942, when the murderous nature of Nazi policies was revealed and Germany's military fortunes deteriorated, the Swedish government had a dramatic change of heart and began to welcome refugees. Sweden's doors were opened to 900 Norwegian Jews in 1942, setting a precedent for the rescue of Danish Jewry in October 1943. At that time, some 8,000 Danish Jews and partly Jewish relatives or spouses escaped to Sweden on scores of fishing boats and other small ships.
The remarkable efforts of the Budapest-based Swedish diplomat, Raoul Wallenberg, have been given considerable attention in Sweden and are a source of national pride. Between July and December 1944, Wallenberg issued protective passports and housed Hungarian Jews, thus saving tens of thousands of Jewish lives.
Gilel Storch, a Latvian Jewish refugee in Stockholm, was also instrumental in such efforts. As the chairman of the Swedish section of the World Jewish Congress, he spearheaded numerous efforts to rescue Jews during the Holocaust, including securing food for starving concentration camp inmates, securing the release of female prisoners from Ravensbrück concentration camp, devising and orchestrating Wallenberg’s effort to save Hungarian Jews, and seeking to ensure that camps would be turned over intact to the Allies at the end of WWII.
Through various efforts, including those by the Swedish Red Cross during the final stages of the war in 1945 and shortly thereafter, about 11,000 to 13,000 Jewish concentration camp prisoners were transported to Sweden. It is estimated that about one-third of them remained. There has been some immigration in connection with antisemitic campaigns and political upheavals in Central and Eastern Europe from the 1950s to the 1990s.
Today, the number of Jews in the country is estimated to be around 18,000, about half of whom live in the Stockholm region.
Demography
The Swedish Jewish community estimates that there are roughly 20,000 Jews in Sweden. Recent estimates indicate that the Jewish population in Sweden ranges between 15,000 and 25,000, with most figures converging around the 20,000 mark.
Sweden's largest Jewish community is in Stockholm, with approximately 4,500 registered members and an estimated additional 3,000 to 5,000 unaffiliated Jews. Significant Jewish communities also exist in Malmö and Gothenburg, each home to several hundred Jews. Jewish communities are concentrated in cities like Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmö, and Helsingborg, but there are also smaller, yet active, Jewish associations and synagogues in cities such as Norrköping, Lund, Borås, Västerås, and Uppsala. Additionally, Jewish residents can be found in towns like Eskilstuna, Karlstad, Varberg, and formerly Umeå, before it was forced to close down due to threats from right-wing extremists.
Community Life
The general Swedish Jewish community includes all age groups, from young children to the elderly. While the older Swedish-Jewish families have largely assimilated into Swedish society, younger families and individuals also contribute to the vibrancy of Jewish life, particularly in larger cities.
Numerous cultural associations promote Jewish heritage through events, lectures, and cultural programs. Jewish organizations offer essential social services, including elderly care, youth programs, and support for new immigrants. These activities and services ensure that vulnerable members of the community receive the care and support they need.
Sveriges Jiddischförbund ("The Society for Yiddish in Sweden") has over 200 members and plays a key role in preserving Yiddish culture and language through educational programs, cultural events, and advocacy. Jewish cultural festivals, educational workshops, and interfaith dialogues aim to foster a sense of community and mutual respect.
Sweden has tightened its policies against hate crimes, including antisemitism. Specialized police units monitor and respond to hate crimes, and law enforcement officers receive training on handling antisemitic incidents. There has been bipartisan support for combating antisemitism, with both Prime Minister Stefan Löfven’s administration and his successor Ulf Kristersson prioritizing this issue. The government collaborates with international bodies such as the European Union and the United Nations to align its strategies with global standards.
Judiska Centralrådet ("The Official Council of Swedish Jewish Communities") represents Jewish interests in discussions with the Swedish Parliament and government. It ensures that the concerns and needs of the Jewish community are addressed at the national level, including issues related to religious practices, education, and cultural preservation.
While the Swedish Jewish community still faces considerable challenges, there is a concerted effort from both the government and civil society to create a safer and more inclusive environment. Continued vigilance, education, and strong legal measures are essential to ensure that Sweden remains a place where Jewish life can thrive in the 2020s and beyond. The commitment to confronting antisemitism head-on and promoting Holocaust remembrance underscores Sweden's dedication to upholding human rights and fostering a society free from hatred and discrimination.
Religious and Cultural Life
There are synagogues throughout Sweden, with Stockholm hosting a Masorti (conservative) and two Orthodox synagogues, as well as a progressive minyan. Gothenburg and Malmö also have active synagogues. The Judaica House, a Jewish community center in Stockholm, maintains both a mikveh and a communal library, in addition to hosting various cultural and social activities.
The Jewish community is vibrant and diverse, with a wide range of religious, cultural, and social activities. This includes Jewish schools, retirement homes, cultural associations, publishing houses, and other organizations run by and for Swedish Jews. The community's infrastructure caters to the needs of Jews across different denominations and backgrounds, ensuring that a rich variety of services and activities are available.
Community Facts
1. In 2025, it will be 250 years since Jewish life was formally established in Sweden.
2. The Yiddish language has been recognized as one of the five official minority languages in Sweden.
3. Georg Riedel, a renowned Swedish composer and jazz musician, is a notable figure in Swedish Jewish culture. He is best known for his collaborations with the author Astrid Lindgren, composing music for many of her beloved children's films and television series, including "Pippi Longstocking."
4. Sweden has the largest Jewish minority of the Nordic countries.
5. During World War II, Sweden provided a safe haven for many Jews fleeing from Nazi persecution. The Swedish diplomat Raoul Wallenberg is celebrated for his efforts to save tens of thousands of Jews in Hungary from the Holocaust.
Kosher Food
Since shechitah, the Jewish ritual slaughtering of animals, is prohibited by Swedish law, kosher meat must be imported. Despite this restriction, the availability of kosher food in Sweden is relatively good. Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmö sell kosher products through the community, including meat, dairy, and packaged goods. The kosher store in Stockholm, Makolet, is the largest kosher store in Sweden. Additionally, there are online services that cater to the kosher needs of the community, delivering kosher food across the country.
Jewish community centers and synagogues often have kosher kitchens, enabling them to host events and meals that adhere to dietary laws. During major Jewish holidays, special efforts are made to ensure the availability of necessary kosher items, such as matzah for Passover and kosher wine for various rituals.
Jewish Education
In Stockholm, the Jewish community is well-supported through several educational and cultural initiatives. The Bajit Jewish Cultural Community Center, inaugurated in 2016, houses the Hillel school and kindergarten, alongside various cultural, youth, and social activities. Additionally, Paideia, the European Institute of Jewish Studies, based in Stockholm since 2000, contributes to the broader European Jewish educational landscape.
Sweden supports Jewish education across the country, with Jewish day schools located in Stockholm and Gothenburg and a day care based in Malmö, as well as supplementary schools in Stockholm and Gothenburg. In response to antisemitism, Sweden’s strategy includes increased funding for Holocaust education and the promotion of tolerance among youth. This includes integrating Holocaust education into school curricula and collaborating with Jewish organizations and survivors to enhance understanding and combat antisemitism.
youth
Judiska Ungdomsförbundet i Sverige (JUS), or the Jewish Youth Association in Sweden, is an important umbrella organization that unites various Jewish youth groups across the country. JUS plays a pivotal role in fostering Jewish identity, culture, and community among young Swedish Jews through its wide range of activities and initiatives. As an umbrella organization, JUS encompasses and supports a variety of Jewish youth groups and movements, including Habonim Dror, Makkabi, and other local youth organizations. This structure allows JUS to coordinate activities, share resources, and amplify the impact of individual groups. One of the core missions of JUS is to develop the next generation of Jewish leaders. Through leadership training programs, youth conferences, and mentorship opportunities, JUS empowers young Jews to take active roles in their communities and beyond.
One of the most cherished institutions in the Swedish Jewish community is the Jewish summer camp. Located in the archipelago outside of Stockholm, it has been a cornerstone of Jewish life in Sweden since its establishment in the early 20th century. The camp provides a unique opportunity for Jewish children and teenagers to connect with their heritage, form lasting friendships, and experience Jewish traditions in a supportive and engaging environment.
The camp offers a variety of activities, including sports, arts and crafts, music, and Jewish learning. The camp also celebrates Shabbat and Jewish holidays, fostering a sense of community and belonging among the campers. For many, the camp is more than just a summer camp; it is a vital space for personal growth, cultural connection, and the reinforcement of Jewish identity.
jewish media
The quarterly Judisk Krönika ("The Jewish Chronicle"), founded in 1932, is one of Sweden’s oldest culture magazines. It is distributed to every member of the Jewish community in Sweden, as well as external subscribers.
Information for Visitors
There is a Jewish Museum in Stockholm that regularly arranges special exhibitions focusing on different aspects of Jewish life in Sweden.
The Jewish community of Stockholm offers guided tours of the Great Synagogue during the summer months. Information can be found on the community´s webpage.
The names of 8,500 victims of the Holocaust (all related to Swedish Jews) are engraved on a 42-meter wall leading from the entrance of the Great Synagogue to the Jewish Community office building in Stockholm. It was inaugurated in 1998 by King Charles XVI Gustav.
Relations with Israel
Sweden and Israel established diplomatic relations in 1949. However, Sweden's recognition of the State of Palestine in 2014 strained these relations. Despite this, Sweden remains actively engaged in the region and continues to be a key donor to the Palestinian Authority.
In recent years, diplomatic efforts have improved the relationship between Sweden and Israel. Former Foreign Minister Ann Linde (2019 – 2022) played a significant role in this positive shift. She worked towards mending ties by engaging in constructive dialogue and addressing mutual concerns, which helped to rebuild trust and cooperation between the two nations.
The government under Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has fostered good relations with Israel. In a notable development, Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billström visited Israel in January 2023, marking a significant step in strengthening diplomatic relations. His visit underscored Sweden's commitment to deepening its engagement with Israel.
Embassy of Israel in Sweden:
Strandvägen 58
115 23 Stockholm
Box 14006
104 40 Stockholm
Telephone: +46 8 528 06 500
Fax: +46 8 528 06 555
Website: stockholm.mfa.gov.il
Blog: israelidag.se
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