Norway
The Jewish history of Norway is relatively short as Jews were only allowed to live in Norway starting in the 17th century. At first, the Jews of Norway were granted more freedoms than in other parts of Europe and were not confined to a ghetto until the end of the 17th century when new laws restricted Jewish movement. During the 19th century, Norwegian Jews acquired more rights under Norway’s new constitution. The community thrived during the interwar years with the establishment of several Jewish cultural organizations. During WWII, Norway was occupied by the Nazis and several hundred Norwegian Jews were deported and killed while others fled to safety in Sweden.
Today, Norway is home to between 1,300 and 2,000 Jews, with most of the community concentrated in Oslo. Norwegian Jewry is involved in all aspects of Norwegian life, including high offices of the state. The Jewish community in Oslo is served by an Orthodox synagogue as well as several youth organizations.
PLACES OF INTEREST
- Villa Grande
The Norwegian Center for Studies of the Holocaust and Religious Minorities
Villa Grande, Huk Aveny 56, 0277 Oslo, Norway
SYNAGOGUES
- Synagogue of Oslo
Orthodox
Bergstien 13, 0172 Oslo
- Synagogue and Jewish Museum of Trondheim
Arkitekt Christies gate 1B, 7012 Trondheim, +47 401 69 801
The Trondheim Synagogue is the northernmost synagogue in the world!
RESOURCES
- The Mosaic Religious Society
Bergstien 13, Oslo, Tel: 23 20 57 50
February 19, 2019
