Jewish, Swedish in Sweden

Introduction / History

Jews have been living in Sweden since the 16th century. It was not until the late 18th century when the Swedish government allowed Jews to be in the country legally without converting to Christianity. For many years, Jews could live in only three Swedish cities and work in certain professions. The Swedish government did not lift all the laws against Jews until after WWII. Since Sweden was a neutral country in WWII, they did not subject Jews to arrest and deportation to the death camps. Danish citizens risked their lives in helping Jews leave Denmark and reach neutral Sweden. Commonly, Jewish people in Sweden are descendants of refugees and Holocaust survivors.

The Jewish population of Sweden is declining about 5% a year. Swedish Jews are moving to Israel, the USA, the UK, Australia and Canada. Jewish leaders in the third largest city in Sweden, Malmo, advise Jews to leave the city because of the increasing violence against Jews by Muslims and far right extremists. Most of Sweden's Jewish population live in Stockholm. There are smaller groups of them in Malmö, Goteborg, Boras, Helsingborg, Lund and Uppsala.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Only a small elderly portion of the Swedish Jews can speak Yiddish. The large majority of Jews speak Swedish at home and are fluent in English. Many Jews do not want to stand out from the regular Swedes for fear of attacks.

Jewish parents encourage their children to get college degrees and enter the professions. Jews work in universities, medicine, science, finance, law and journalism. Many own businesses and retail stores. About one third of the Swedish Jews attend synagogue regularly. Most Jews celebrate the Jewish holidays and appreciate their unique culture and heritage. They have built both orthodox and conservative synagogues and most practice their faith.

What Are Their Beliefs?

For religious Jews, God is the Supreme Being, the Creator of the universe, and the ultimate Judge of human affairs. God revealed himself to Moses in the Torah, the first five books of the Old Testament. Beyond this, the religious beliefs of the Jewish communities vary. Swedish Jews are diverse. Each Jewish denomination maintains synagogues and celebrates the traditional Jewish holiday calendar.

Today, to be a practicing Jew in Sweden is challenging. While most European Jews are religiously affiliated, there is a significant minority which is not religious. Many Jewish people today keep cultural Judaism, but they have rejected the spiritual elements taught in the Old Testament.

Swedish Jewry offers a secular, cultural vision of Jewish life where learning and community are central, and religious worship is secondary. They might take part in cultural events and even religious ceremonies, but they are secular or New Age in their spiritual lives. A tiny group of Jews in Sweden are Messianic.

What Are Their Needs?

Jews in Sweden need to hear the message about their Messiah, Yeshua. They must come to understand that Jesus alone can forgive their sins and give meaning and hope. Swedish Christ followers can share the love of Christ with Jewish friends.

Prayer Points

Ask the Holy Spirit to grant wisdom and favor to the mission agencies that are focusing on the Jews in Europe.
Pray that the Jewish people will understand that Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah.
Pray that God will grant the small group of Messianic believers favor as they share their faith with Swedish Jews.
Pray that there will be strong local fellowships within each Jewish community in Sweden.

Text Source:   Joshua Project