Page 19 - TORCH Magazine #14 - July 2019

Preserving the legacy
Today the experiences of Danish
Jews during World War II and the unique relationship to their non-Jewish countrymen is retold at the Danish Jewish Museum located prominently in Copenhagen’s historic waterfront district inside the former royal boat house.
The freedom and protection of Jews in Denmark today (estimated to be around 6,000), remains an important part of Danish values, with Danes proud of its tolerance
and religious freedoms. But as Denmark has become increasingly secular, religious Jews are facing increasing difficulties with anti-Semitism and the number of Jews is steadily decreasing.
Denmark has so far avoided some of the problems seen in Malmo, Sweden, which is connected with Copenhagen by a bridge across the Øresund. Malmo has the highest rate of anti-Semitism of any city in Europe, linked with an increase in radical Islam, and it was recently reported that the Jewish community is expected to dissolve within the next 10 years.
Back in Copenhagen, I take a short walk from the Central Synagogue to a large square called Israels Plads (meaning Israel’s Square). The square contains a large memorial stone inscribed in Hebrew. It was given to Denmark by Israel and characterised the past and present relationship between Jews and the people Denmark. It reads, “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”.
Viewing the stone with reflection, I noticed a small item of graffiti with the letters B.D.S. – an acronym that stands for the anti-Semetic boycott movement against Israel. It is hardly noticeable for the general passer-by, but for those who know of the hatred it represents, it is a loud reminder that in Denmark or anywhere else, we must not be complacent.
Alastair Kirk
CUFI-UK
Christians Against
Anti-Semitism
SIGN THE DECLARATION
www.cufi.org.uk/campaigns