A diverse perspective on Jewish culture, history, and life in Finland and around the world

Opinion

President's Column

This week we have celebrated Purim and reminded ourselves of events that took place about 2500 years ago in Persian Empire, in the area that is today Iran. The story is well known, and its pattern has repeated many times throughout history. There were those who wanted to destroy us, but we survived. This year, the events of Purim repeated once again, but this time in the same region and at the same time of year as 2500 years ago. Even though we live far from the center of eve

With a Full Heart, My Reflections from Helsinki

Dear Jewish Community of Helsinki,

Bar Narinke opens in the community space

Come and enjoy a drink at the community’s very own bar! The new Bar Narinke operates in the same space as Cafe Kesher and is open Tuesday to Thursday from 17:15 to 20:00. It offers a relaxed meeting place for community members and friends. Entertaining and social programs are also being planned, and during those events the opening hours will be extended. The bar will offer Israeli and other kosher wines, snacks, and light meals. Bar Narinke will also sell kosher food produc

5 days ago1 min read

Latet Chag

5 days ago0 min read

Parasha

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Culture

In memorium of Mikael Enckellin (in Finnish)

Minulla oli ilo tuntea Mikael Enckell (1932-2025), joka oli intohimoinen ja luova ihminen, psykoanalyytikko ja kirjailija. Kuuntelin hänen luentojaan 1990-luvulta lähtien Helsingin Yliopiston järjestämässä Studia Generalia -luentosarjassa. Hänen ajatuksensa inspiroivat minua ja herättivät toivon kyvystä ymmärtää ihmistä ja hänen kokemusmaailmaansa paremmin. Nuorena juutalaisena psykoanalyytikkona minua kiinnosti erityisesti Mikael Enckellin ajatukset ja kirjoitukset juutalai

Feb 261 min read

Architect Rainer Mahlamäki at Café Kesher – The Story of the Lost Shtetl Project

Café, 8 January 2026 On a Thursday evening in early January, people pick up coffee and pastries from Café Kesher and settle comfortably in the club area. Soon, a distinguished gentleman is warmly welcomed as a guest of the Jewish community of Helsinki. Rainer Mahlamäki is an architect who has designed many remarkable buildings in Finland and abroad over several decades, including the “Lost Shtetl” museum complex in Lithuania. He has been invited to our community to present hi

Feb 123 min read

Be present in moments of joy as well as sorrow by sending a Fruntta Blomsterfonden card

Congratulate a birthday celebrant, a bar or bat mitzvah honoree, a graduate, or mark another special occasion. Fruntta, the Judiska Fruntimmers välgörenhetsförening , raises funds for members of the community in need by organizing fundraising events and hosting coffee gatherings. These funds are used in full for the benefit of community members, providing both short-term and longer-term assistance. Blomsterfonden card – a gift with great meaning You can order a card by emaili

Jan 191 min read

Exhibition Recommendation: Markus Kantor – My Father and the World

Image: Markus Kantor

Dec 29, 20251 min read

History & Politics

Reas more

Rebuilding Israeli Society – WIZO’s Meeting of Representatives in Tel Aviv 2026

Shaviv at the daycare center presenting woolen socks made by sponsors to the children At the beginning of the year, I participated in WIZO’s annual Meeting of Representatives (MOR), held in Tel Aviv. The gathering brought together around 100 leading WIZO representatives from 23 different countries. This year’s meeting was held under the theme “We Are Here – Zionism 2026,” at a particularly significant moment. Israel had just been going through an exceptionally difficult perio

Feb 194 min read

Report Antisemitic Incidents — Your Voice Matters

Can I report? Yes. Anyone who has experienced, witnessed, or become aware of an antisemitic incident can submit a report. You do not need to be the direct victim. Reports can be made anonymously if you choose. What will happen with my report? Your report helps us document incidents, understand patterns, and strengthen safety and advocacy efforts. Information is handled confidentially and used to support community protection, awareness, and—when appropriate—cooperation with re

Feb 121 min read

Listen: Yaron Nadbornik as a Guest at Paasipodi Podcast (in Finnish)

Yaron Nadbornik oli vieraana Paasipodi -podcastin jaksossa Israel, Hamas, Iran ja Gazan tilanne 2.0 .Jaksossa keskustellaan Israel–Palestiina-konfliktin juurista, sionismista, Hamasista, Iranin roolista sekä Lähi-idän nykytilanteesta. Paasipodi tunnetaan ajankohtaisten ja ajattomien talous- ja yhteiskunnallisten aiheiden selkeästä ja suorapuheisesta käsittelystä asiantuntijavieraiden kanssa.

Jan 221 min read

Watch: The New Faces of Antisemitism – Documentary Now Available Online

The three-part documentary The New Faces of Antisemitism is now available to watch online in the video below. The film is a co-production by the Jewish Community of Helsinki and TV7 . English subtitles can be turned on directly from the video player. You can watch all three parts of the documentary below: The documentary explores contemporary antisemitism in Finland through academic research, expert analysis, and personal testimonies. It addresses a phenomenon that has been

Jan 201 min read

Religion

Latet Chag

5 days ago0 min read

Parashat Ki Tissa (in Finnish)

Tämän viikon tekstissä J-la käskee Moosesta rakentamaan kijorin eli eräänlaisen vesisäiliön, jonka avulla kohenit suorittaisivat käsien ja jalkojen rituaalisen pesun ennen erilaisia toimituksia ilmestysmajassa. (2. Moos. 30 17-21) Myöhemmin (2. Moos. 38:8), kun rakennusta varteen kerätään raaka-ainetta, Toora kertoo, että kijor rakennettiin juutalaisten naisten lahjoittamista peileistä. Rashi mainitsee midrashin, jonka mukaa Mooses väheksyi peilien lahjoitusta, sillä hänen

Mar 52 min read

Parashat Tetsave (in Finnish)

Tämän viikon tekstissä käydään hyvin yksityiskohtaisesti läpi Kohenien eli juutalaisen papiston rituaaliset vaatteet. Tavalliset ’rivikohenit’ käyttivät neljää vaatekappaletta: kaapu, vyö, hattu ja housut, kun taas kohen gadol eli ylipappi käytti kahdeksaa vaatekappaletta eli edellisten lisäksi rintakilpeä, päällyskaapua, essua ja kultaista tiaraa. Talmud selittää (Arachin 16a), että kohen gadolin eri vaatteilla oli syntejä sovittava voima. Tietenkään tällä ei tarkoiteta sitä

Feb 262 min read

Parashat Mishpatim (in Finnish)

Älkää loukatko tai ahdistelko muukalaista (ger), sillä muukalaisia (gerim) olitte Egyptin maassa. (2. Moos. 22:20)

Feb 122 min read

Opinion

President's Column

Mar 52 min read

With a Full Heart, My Reflections from Helsinki

Dear Jewish Community of Helsinki,

Jan 226 min read

Finding My Voice in Prayer

Shalom,

Jan 152 min read

President's Column: We Are the Community

During this autumn, the community has had a rich and lively program. The new café, Kesher, has established its place and served as a meeting point for people of all ages.The community center offers all of us a safe and homelike environment where we can enjoy Jewish culture and tradition, meet both new and old acquaintances, share thoughts, and learn something new. The future of the community lies in our own hands. Each of us can influence the atmosphere we create and the kind

Dec 4, 20252 min read