Jewish settlement in Finland dates back to 1825. The first Jews in Finland were Jewish conscripts in The Russian Army during the Russian occupation of Finland in The 19th Century. After their discharge from the army, many stayed in Finland. These Jews were later joined by others from Russia, Poland, and Lithuania. There were still severe restrictions, but they ended after Finland's independence in 1917. In The Late 1930's, admission was granted to about 250 Jewish refugees from Central Europe.
In World War II, Finland was allied with Germany, and Finnish troops fought against The Soviet Union in an effort to regain the territory it lost in The Russo-Finnish War of 1939-1940. Despite Finland's alliance with Germany in World War II, Finland was a safe haven because the goverment refused to hand over Finnish Jews to The Nazis. When Himmler demanded that Finnish Jews be turned over, Prime Minister Rangell is reported to have said that the Jews of Finland were decent people and loyal citizens whose sons fought in the army like other Finns. Fulfilling their obligations as loyal citizens, Finnish Jews answered the call to arms. 23 of them lost their lives in the fighting, and most are buried in the Jewish cemetery in Helsinki. In gratitude for their heroism and loyalty in Finland's darkest hour, the country's leader, Marshal Mannerheim, paid a visit to the synagogue in Helsinki and presented the Jewish community with a wreath which is preserved to the present day as one of the most treasured heirlooms of Finnish Jewry.
Currently, there are 1,200 Jews in Finland. 900 of them are in Helsinki, the capital, and 200 in Turku. In recent years a number of Jews from The Former Soviet Union, Poland, and elsewhere in Eastern Europe found sanctuary in the country.
The Central Council of Jewish Communities in Finland is the leading communal body. The community's outstanding priority is the preservation of the Jewish heritage, including fighting assimilation. A sense of Jewish indenity among the young generation is preserved. They are encouraged to experience Jewish life in Israel. The community helps other Jews in the newly independent Baltic states across the sea to The South of the country, particularly in Estonia.
There are Orthodox synagogues in Helsinki and Turku. Kosher food is available and there is a kosher butcher. There is a Jewish day school in Helsinki and a Jewish kindergarten. The community also operates a Talmud Torah and a home for the aged.
Anti-Semitism has not been a serious problem in Finland but there have been a number of isolated incidents that have raised concern including the desecration of Jewish cemeteries, swastika daubings, and threatening telephone calls to members of the Jewish community.
Formal relations were established between Israel and Finland in 1948. The community has demonstrated fervent love for Israel. During The War of Independence, the Jews of Finland sent 29 volunteers, proportionally the largest contingent of any Diaspora community. Since 1948, 723 Finnish Jews have immigrated to Israel.
The leading sites in Helsinki are the synagogue, the adjacent community center and the Jewish cemetery where a section is devoted to the Jews who fell in The Finnish Army in The Russo-Finnish and Continuation Wars.
Topic: Finnish Jewish History (Read 2658 times)