Press information
July 2010

Jewish points of interest in Copenhagen

Jewish Museum in Copenhagen designed by Daniel Liebeskind

Copenhagen has always had several Jewish points of interest, from its synagogue and burial grounds to museums dealing with the Second World War. But in June 2004 a new chapter in Copenhagen's notable Jewish history began with the opening of the city's first Jewish Museum, designed by Daniel Libeskind.

The Danish Jewish Museum in Copenhagen is the first museum for a minority in Denmark. It presents Danish-Jewish culture, art and history extending back to the first Jewish immigration around 400 years ago. The museum is located in rooms within the oldest part of the Royal Library with its main entrance via the library garden. Furthermore, the world famous architect, Daniel Libeskind, who has also designed the Jewish Museum in Berlin, has designed the interior.
The museum is more than just an exhibition venue; it is also a centre for the study of Danish-Jewish history, culture, and art. It has built up its own collection and continues to acquire materials that illustrate its theme. The museum appeals to a broad public, with material written in both Danish and English.

The escape to Sweden
On the northern coast of Zealand, approximately 30 miles from Copenhagen, The Gilleleje Museum tells the story of how 7,200 Jewish refugees escaped to
Sweden. The population of Gilleleje responded to the call to assist the refugees on the night of October 1 and early hours of October 2  1943. Word had leaked out from the offices of the German occupiers to the Danish resistance that the country's Jews were to be rounded up and taken to concentration camps. Instead, they were spirited away to Sweden in fishing boats and dinghies from small hamlets along the eastern coast of the Øresund. Approximately 1,000 Jews escaped from the Gilleleje area during October 1943 thanks to the spontaneous help of the local community. The museum in Gilleleje features several documents concerning the dramatic events and a reconstruction of one of the fishing boats. Unfortunately, some escapees were not so lucky. In the church attic of Gilleleje church there remain relics of the night of October 6^th, when 80 refugees were captured by the Gestapo here before they had a chance to cross the sea to Sweden.

Danish Resistance

The Museum of Danish Resistance, situated by the Churchill Park near the Anglican Church of Copenhagen,tells the story of Danish resistance during the Nazi occupation of 1940 -1945. It began as an exhibition called Fighting Denmark, arranged by the Resistance Council in the summer of 1945 and in 1957 a permanent museum was opened here. The current exhibition was inaugurated in 1995.

Behind the museum in the Churchill Park you will find the sculpture, "Wounded Woman", which was presented by the State of Israel to the Danish people in appreciation of their support during the Jews' flight from the Nazi occupation in World War II. The sculpture, by the Israeli artist Bernard Reder (1897-1963) was unveiled in 1969.

On Israel's Square a memorial stone was erected in 1975 with the following inscription: 'This stone from the Holy Land is a gift to the Danish People from friends of Denmark in Israel 1975' - 'And night fell and morning came' The artist is: Rolf Roda Reilinger

Also connected to the Danish Resistance is the Memorial Park in Ryvangen. This park is a reminder of the human price Denmark paid for resistance. Here, a stone's throw from the execution ground on which they were shot, lie 106 members of the Resistance in a landscaped garden. Also, behind a large granite monument made by Axel Poulsen in 1949, lie the graves of 31 patriots who died in concentration camps as well as 151 commemorative plaques in honour of some of those who disappeared without trace.

Synagogue and burial grounds of the mosaic faith
Like every major city Copenhagen also has a synagogue and an official burial ground for Jews. The Copenhagen Synagogue is situated in the oldest part of the city, in a building constructed in 1830-1833 based on drawings by Professor G.H. Hetsch. Professor Hetsch was also responsible for the design of the Copenhagen Catholic Cathedral, Sct. Ansgar's in Bredgade.

The burial ground has been located at Vestre Kirkegårds Allé, since 1886. From 1693-1886, Copenhagen's Jewish community buried their dead at Møllegade in Nørrebro. Approxamently 5,000 Jews have found their final resting place at Møllegade and it remains today a peaceful, timeless place.

The Progressive Synagoge, Shir Hatzafon is situated in the south of Copenhagen where there are regular monthly services. Details and further information on the website listed below.

An authorized tourist guide with Jewish background, Charlotte Thalmay, offers guided tours of Copenhagen with focus on Jewish history and guided tours in Hebrew are also available. Further details see below.

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