Royal celebration of the Oslo Synagogue’s 100 years
Both the king and the crown prince participate when the synagogue in Oslo on Thursday marks that it has been in Norway for 100 years. It is a story of much joy, but also sorrow.
Rabbi Joav Melchior says that the 100th anniversary is a celebration of those who built the synagogue, synagogue life and the entire Jewish community in Norway. Due to the pandemic, the celebration was postponed from May 2020.
– It is a very important mark for us, as a little religious community. The synagogue in Bergstien was Norway’s first non-Christian house of worship since the Viking Age when it was inaugurated in 1920. In this way, it also became a symbol of denominations and environments that over time have become part of the Norwegian, Melchior tells NTB.
During the anniversary celebration, they will have the spotlight on the positive and the significance of the synagogue.
– It’s our house of worship and our home. It is the place we come to feel safe, learn, and where we can develop values and community, says the rabbi.
Royal visit
On Thursday, his father, Chief Rabbi Michael Melchior, will give the keynote address when King Harald and Crown Prince Haakon visit. They also visited the synagogue together in 2009, when they visited several different denominations in Oslo. Minister for Children and Families Kjersti Toppe (Sp) and Oslo Mayor Marianne Borgen (SV) will also participate in the celebration at 12 noon.
– The Royal House has clarified us on previous visits and with messages when needed. They give an important signal that we are a wanted part of society. The story goes all the way back to Crown Prince Olav visiting after the reopening of the synagogue after the war, says Joav Melchior.
Incidentally, it is an old Jewish tradition to be for the king and Norway every week.
– The King’s Prayer is the only one we read in both Norwegian and Hebrew, says Melchior.
Included
He says the Jewish faith community feels welcome and included in Norway.
– As a young rabbi, I experienced the shooting at the synagogue in September 2006. It made the strength of the impression when we received support from other denominations and the local community. There was a warm hug in the feedback from everyone around us, says Melchior.
It also attracted international attention when Muslim youths terrorist attacks against the synagogue in Copenhagen in 2015 took the initiative to form a “peace ring” around the synagogue in Oslo. They stood as symbolic shields to show solidarity with the Jews.
Studies have shown that anti-Semitism is a problem that failed to die with World War II and the Holocaust. But we experience that anti-Semitism is a danger that society at large takes seriously and clearly shows that this is something everyone is responsible for, and that we must work together against, says Melchior.