400 Years of Jewish Culture in Copenhagen, Denmark

The 25th of November 1622 the danish king Christian IV (1588-1648) invited “Jews of the Portuguese Nation” to settle in Denmark. In many ways this became the beginning of 400 years of Jewish history in Denmark. The first congregations arose in the cities of Glückstadt and Altona. From here Fredericia and Copenhagen became the gateway to Denmark. A diverse Jewish life arose across the country from these cities. In the 1660s Jewish businessmen moved from Altona to Copenhagen. Over time they established the Jewish Cemetery of Vestre, the Jewish Northern Cemetery, and a synagogue. Later, more synagogues came (see The Great Synagogue), and Jewish life was established from the poor street vendors in the slums to the wealthy trading houses in the high end of the city. In the 1800s the Jews in Denmark became Danish Jews with new laws on freedom of religion. The Jews became an important part of Danish trading industry and cultural life as entrepreneurs, businessmen, artists, writers, scientists, and patrons of the arts. In the 1900s new waves of Jewish immigrants came from Eastern Europe, which added more layers to the Jewish history in Denmark. Central to the story is the escape and rescue of the Danish Jews in October 1943 during the Nazi occupation of Denmark. The Jewish life in Denmark is thriving and is still an integrated part of Danish and Copenhagen history. This story is aptly described in the newly refurbished Jewish Museum.  In the Copenhagen eBook is a map where you can see the history in many traces and imprints around the city. This map guides you to the hotspots which represent the different aspects of Danish Jewish history though 400 years. It’s a central but often overlooked chapter of Danish history that this map now invites you to explore.   Famous Personalities Niels Bohr, physicist, Nobel Prize(1922) Victor Borge, entertainer Victor Bendix, composer, conductor, and pianist

A Journey Through Jewish Copenhagen

NENI Copenhagen

NENI - the name is an acronym for Nuriel, Elior, Nadiv and Ilan. Haya Molcho's choice to use the names of her sons to give NENI its name perfectly reflects the restaurant's philosophy. Family is one of the most important things in her life. Her family has always eaten together and the house was often full of guests - so sharing was a key part of mealtimes. This principle lives on at NENI. Diners are treated like guests in the home of friends.

Skt Petri

Formally an old department store, today a hotel excelling in delivering laidback luxury experiences. Located with one foot planted in the quirky and fun Latin Quarter and the other in the old and historical part of Copenhagen, Skt. Petri is centrally located in the heart of Copenhagen and where worlds meet. Here Copenhagen is right outside our doorstep, waiting for you to explore. Together with SH Hotels & Resorts, we share a tradition and culture of serving as a tribute to sustainability. We're deeply committed to uplifting the planet, people, and places that sustain our operations. This is not simply our business model; this is our responsibility.

Gils Deli

Gil runs the only kosher butcher shop in Denmark. Here you can by kosher meat and som delicatessen, kosher wine, matzah. Opening hours: Monday – closed Tuesday-Thursday – 10am-5pm Friday – 8am-1pm

D&A Kosher

Daniel and Almog runs the kitchen in the Jewish Community Center in Krystalgade 12. You can order kosher catering from if you contact them in advance on email or by phone.

Restaurant Taim

Come experience hygge. At Restaurant Taim, we take our food seriously. We also give great importance to hygge—atmosphere—a central element to the eating experience. At Taim Restaurant we fuse Danish and international dishes, made with only fresh, delicious, and nutritious ingredients, all prepared in authentic Nordic tradition. We can’t wait for you to experience the special ‘hyggeligt’ atmosphere, and enjoy a wonderful eating experience. Taim is located at the Chabad house, a building with historical significance. During WW2, the Chabad house which was a local school at the time, served as one of the headquarters of the Nazis. ChabaDanmark started activities in Denmark in 1996, and has been at this location since 2002, serving as a center for activities, educational and social programs for children and adults, and a center for Jewish life. Come and enjoy a great eating experience. Opening hours: Sunday-Thursday: 17:00–20:30

Great Synagogue of Copenhagen

The Great Synagogue of Copenhagen is considered to be one of the most beautiful Synagogues in Europe. It was designed by architect G.F. Hetsch in semi-oriental style and constructed from 1830-1833. The Great Synagogue of Copenhagen was designed by architect G.F.Hetsch in semi-oriental style. The building was completed in 1833, replacing all the small Synagouges around in the old city. Abraham Alexander Wolff who became chief-Rabbi in 1825 took the initiative to start the construction, which needed royal approval. Since 1833 the Great Synagogue of Copenhagen, has been the heart and mind for the Jewish Community in prosperous times in the 1800-1900 hundreds, in the the darkest times during WW2. The building was compleately renovated in 2016-2017 and is considered to be one of the most beautiful Synagogues in Europe.

Danish Jewish Museum

The Danish Jewish Museum in Copenhagen opened in 2004, located in the Royal Library Garden netx to the Parliament. In the museum you can experience 400 years of Jewish life in Denmark. The museum was designed by world-famous architect Daniel Libeskind and has many similarities with the Jewish Museum in Berlin. The Jewish Museum is located in the beautiful Royal Library Garden next to the Danish Parliament, Christiansborg Castle. The building is an ancient boat house belonging to king Christian 4th who invited the first Jews to settle in the Danish kingdom in 1622, 400 years ago. Daniel Libeskind's characteristic architecture gives you an enthralling universe of the Danish Jewish culture, and the exhibition is put together in harmony with his architecture. The emblem of the museum interior is the Hebrew word 'Mitzvah', which can be translated as an obligation or good deed. Daniel Libeskind based his architecture on the outstanding deed of the Danish people who helped saving more than 97% of the Jewish population during WW2. This site has been visited by Queen Margrethe of Denmark and Primeminister Lars Lökke Rasmussen.

Museum of Danish Resistance

In the very heart of Copenhagen next to the Royal Palace Amalienborg you will find the brand-new Resistance Museum. In the dark, streets of the occupied Denmark, you'll meet five historical figures. Each one chose their own path and must face the consequences. In the very heart of Copenhagen, next to the Royal Palace Amalienborg, The Citadel and The Little Mermaid, you will find the Resistance Museum. Here you can experience life under the Nazi-occupation during WW2 from 1940-1945. In the dark, streets of the occupied Denmark, you'll meet five historical figures. Each one chose their own path and must face the consequences. Discover the dramatic story of the Jewish medical student, Abraham Steinbock who with his family sailed to Sweden on a fishing boat in October 1943. The authentic fishing boat is a part of the exibition. Dive deeper into acts of sabotage, produce illegal newspapers, crack codes and intercept telephone calls. All Danes had to choose between joining the resistance, collaborate with the Germans or try to keep a low profile and get through tough times during the occupation.

Copenhagen Stumbling Stones

In 2018 a commity was created raising money to place stumbling stones commemorating victims of Nazi crimes during WW2. In 2019 the first 12 stumbling stones were placed around Copenhagen. Today more than 100 stumbling stones a placed all over the country, bringing attention to Jews, resistance people, policemen, and others who all suffered from Nazi prosecution. German artist Gunther Demnig started up this project in 1992. Today more than 94.000 Stumbling stones can be found in 29 countries in Europe.

Jewish Cemetery of Vestre

Mosaisk Vestre Cemetery opened in 1886. The first burial in Mosaisk Vestre Cemetery was the 19. January 1886, and it is still in use. From October 1943 until May 1945, when the most Danish Jews lived as refugees in Sweden, 26 Jews died in Denmark and they were buried in this cemetery, sometimes with the assistance of vicars from the Danish Lutheran Church.

Minsk Central Yeshiva

The former Central Yeshiva was an educational center for the Jewish population of Minsk, where every young person was given the opportunity to study Torah. It was built and opened in 1888, and there more than 160 rabbis were educated annually. Thanks to yeshivas, the religious culture of the Jews was preserved on the territory of Belarus.

Yama Memorial Complex

The Yama Memorial Complex is a memorial to all Jews who died in the Minsk ghetto. This is a tribute to the memory of the Jews who were shot during the worst punitive operation of the Nazis: on March 2, 1942, five thousand Jews were killed. It was the first memorial to the victims of the Holocaust in the USSR, on which it was allowed to make an inscription in Yiddish. Photo credit: Adam Jones, Ph.D. / Global Photo Archive / Flickr.

Zaltzman Synagogue

Zaltsman synagogue was built in 1864, when the population of Minsk consisted of more than 40% Jews. Numerous synagogues in the city were divided according to religious trends or even according to the professional affiliation of the community. This prayer house was built on the territory of the Rakovsky suburb for the poor. Image credit: The Together Plan - subject to copyright ©

Maly Trostenets Holocaust Memorial and Massacre Site

The Trostenets extermination camp, created in the autumn of 1941, became the largest on the territory of the Soviet Union. In terms of the number of victims of fascism, Trostenets became the fourth after Auschwitz, Majdanek and Treblinka. Civilians and prisoners of war from all countries of the Soviet Union, as well as citizens of Austria, Germany, Czechoslovakia and Poland were murdered there. Image credit: The Together Plan - subject to copyright ©