Page 16 - TORCH Magazine #14 - July 2019

When Denmark saved the Jews
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It is Shabbat in Copenhagen and armed police barricade the narrow Krystalgade street, along which the
historic Great Synagogue is located.
“It’s like this every Friday evening,” says the barista as he serves my wife and I coffee in the Central Library situated directly opposite the synagogue.
“When dignitaries visit they erect a long tunnel to allow them to enter safely,” he added. I observe the arrival of individual members
of the Jewish community as armed police keep a watchful eye on the occasional cyclist that bypasses the barricade. Meanwhile, tourists view the fresh flowers laid in memory of the security guard killed in a terror attack at the synagogue in 2015.
The heightened security is a reminder of the threat to the Jewish community in
Copenhagen, something that has alarmed Danish people who take pride in their heritage of supporting Jews and are believers in a free and accepting society.
Since the terror attack, Denmark’s government has made every effort to preserve its own legacy of ensuring Jews are able to live and worship safely and securely.
Despite medieval anti-Semitism, Denmark has had a vibrant Jewish community for hundreds of years. In fact, Jews first arrived
in Denmark in the 17th Century by invitation of King Christian IV who wanted their help to modernise the country.
During the worst genocide in history, this
is a country, unique to Europe, that rescued over 99% of its Jewish population during the Holocaust. The story is one of inspiring bravery.