39 THE JEWISH HOME
pressure on the Germans to free the Jews they had captured. An estimated 7,220 of Denmark’s 7,800 Jews found refuge in Sweden thanks to the heroic efforts of their countrymen, as well as Duckwitz (one of the very few Nazis to be counted among the Righteous Among the Nations). Villagers in seaside
Occupied Denmark Nov 17, 1940
2005, saying it was “a stain on Denmark’s otherwise good reputation.” An estimated 2% of Danish Jewry was lost in the Holocaust, mainly in Thereienstadt, though many more would have been lost were it not for the Danish government’s intense
King Christian X
towns hid Jews while feigning ignorance when questioned by the Germans. Though some fishermen charged exorbitant rates to ferry Jews across the Baltic Sea, many were happy to help even the poorest of Jews gain their freedom. As Lidegaard says, “Danish democracy mobilized itself to protect the values on which it was based.” For most Danes, helping Jews was merely a matter of fulfilling one’s basic duties as a citizen. Even in the charming seaside town of Gilleleje, which was the escape route for a full one fifth of Danish Jews, the local museum speaks humbly about the town’s heroic efforts, placing them between displays about the region’s Ice Age and Viking histories. By 1968, the Jewish community had bounced back to its prewar levels, and the positive relationship has, notwithstanding recent events, remained largely intact to this day. Denmark recognized Israel shortly after its creation in 1948 and has mostly supported it in the U.N. The two countries have a strong trade and tourism relationship. Many public spaces in Israel are named after Denmark and Danish leaders
in honor of their actions in WWII. Yet, as seen with the tragic shul shooting on February 14, Denmark has a growing anti-Semitism problem, mainly deriving from extremists within the Danish Muslim immigrant population. And recent government actions such as banning shechita and vehemently criticizing Israeli policies haven’t made Denmark’s 6,4008,000 Jews feel any safer. In response to the shooting, Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt said “The Jewish community have been in this country for centuries. They are at home in Denmark, they are part of the Danish community.” While there have been relatively few anti-Semitic incidents, especially compared to France, the fact remains that Denmark, along with almost every other European country, faces a wave of anti-Semitism not seen since the Holocaust. For now though, Danish Jews are mostly
remaining loyal to Denmark. “Denmark has a very good history of taking care of the Jewish community going back to the Second World War, when the Danish experience stands out on a European scale,” said Dan Asmussen, chairman of the Danish Jewish Committee. And as Rabbi Jair Melchior bluntly explained, “I’m not frightened to be a Jew in Denmark.” Indeed, given Denmark’s exemplary, centuries-old tolerance shown towards its Jews, the Jewish community’s desire to give their country another chance is understandable. However, they may just take Netanyahu up on his offer if Islamic extremism continues to spread. As Shakespeare wrote in his play Othello, “Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.” (Sources: Haaretz, Reuters, The Guardian, Countrymen by Bo Lidegaard)
FEBRUARY 26, 2015
ty and a rescue organization was quickly set up. Nazi persecution officially came to Denmark on Rosh Hashana (October 1), 1943 when around 500 Jews were rounded up and sent to Theresienstadt, including 19 that were sent willingly by the Danish government. Former Prime Minister Anders Rasmussen apologized for this action in