Historically speaking, it was not until quite recently that Jews were able to live and practice freely within the country of Norway. Before the city of Oslo was named thusly, it was called Christiana, which was representative of King Olav the Holy’s rule that only Christians could live within the country.

This rule dates as far back as the year 1,000, and over the years kings gave only select Jews permission to travel within Norway in order to do trade there.

In 1814, Norway acquired its first constitution, which was fairly liberal, except that it declared that the official state religion was Lutheran Protestantism, and that Jews and Jesuits were forbidden from entering the kingdom. The lobby to change this portion of the constitution was led by the national poet, Henrik Wergeland. In 1851, six years after Wergeland’s death, the ban was indeed reversed.

Wergeland was called “Folkelærer,” a teacher and educator of the people. He is now both Norway’s national poet and a symbol for its independence.

Between the years of 1910 and 1940, Jewish cultural life within Oslo began to blossom. In 1910 the Jewish Youth Association was established, becoming the most active and important organization within the Jewish community. During the years 1935-1940, a number of study circles were held, led by the community’s rabbi, Isak Julius Samuel.

During the German occupation of Norway during WWII, much of Norway’s Jewish population fled to Sweden. They returned home after the war to find, thankfully, that their synagogue in Oslo was unharmed. Even the Torah scrolls were miraculously still there and intact.

Later, in 1960, this same synagogue was expanded to include an adjacent community center.

Now, the Jewish community flourishes within Oslo. B’nei Akiva is the active Jewish youth organization in Norway, and was founded in 1927. With over 40 members attending weekly meetings, in proportion to the size of the community, B’nei Akiva is the largest local chapter within Scandinavia.

Today the Jewish community as a whole in Oslo consists of about 950 members and is very active. Because of its small size, the community is particularly unified, and over the last 30 years has focused strongly on the premise that “Jewish culture should not merely be learned but also lived.”

Among others institutions and activities, there is a kindergarten and a home for the elderly within Oslo. There is cheder with approximately 90 children and youth divided into 10 classes according to age, as well as afternoon classes.

There are also study circles, which deal with Jewish subjects, open house meetings where current topics are discussed, and family seminars, where about 40 families go to enjoy Shabbat together. Currently, there is a steady flow of new Jewish residents coming in from other countries.

Since the start of the new millennium, the number of members in the Jewish community has increased, due largely to the active attempt of the community to include the Israeli citizens living in Norway.

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