With a Full Heart, My Reflections from Helsinki
Dear Jewish Community of Helsinki,
Finding My Voice in Prayer
Shalom,
top of page
A diverse perspective on Jewish culture, history, and life in Finland and around the world
Opinion
Enroll Now to the Jewish School of Helsinki!
We bring you: Jewish upbringing with strong values. High-quality Finnish education. Warm and supportive community. Education & Learning High-standard, curriculum-based education in Finnish with excellent learning outcomes A1 languages, including English and Hebrew starting from first grade Preparatory education for foreign-language students Small class sizes with support for each child’s growth and learning School Life & Wellbeing Older and younger students learn together wee
-
20 hours ago1 min read
The community’s new mashgiach is Moshe Meir
Tell us a bit about who you are and how you got to this community? I was born in Ecuador, but my parents are from Colombia. I got here because my wife is Finnish. And the reason why we moved here is because we wanted to do giyur (conversion), which means being involved with a local Orthodox synagogue. I’ve wanted to be Jewish since I was 14 years old. What does it mean to be a mashgiach , which is your role in our community? My job in the community is being a mashgiach, a su
-
Jan 224 min read
Parasha
No posts published in this language yet
Once posts are published, you’ll see them here.
Culture
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
Jacob Moreno’s Spontaneity, Creativity and the Hope Found in New Roles
Jacob Levy Moreno. Photo: Tiago M. Peixoto
Dec 4, 20253 min read
Book launch: The Merchant’s Daughter Suza (in Finnish)
Vihtiläinen historiakirjailija Anne Tucker järjestää esikoiskirjansa Kauppiaan tytär Suza julkaisutilaisuuden tiistaina 25.11. klo 18.00-19.00 Oodi-kirjaston Saarikoski-matolla (kirjaston 3. kerroksen eteläpääty). Anne Tucker on tutkinut keskiajan Ranskan ja Saksan juutalaisten historiaa Tampereen ja Helsingin yliopistossa, Jerusalemin Heprealaisessa yliopistossa sekä Ludwig-Maximilians Universität Münchenissä. Kiinnostus juutalaisten historiaa kohtaan Tuckerin kiinnost
Nov 19, 20253 min read
History & Politics
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
The WIZO Chanukkah Publication Is Out Now
The latest WIZO Chanukkah publication is now available to read. It highlights WIZO’s work in support of disadvantaged children, youth, and women in Israel, as well as the long-standing commitment of WIZO Finland to the Shaviv Day Care Center in Herzliya. Read the publication below and join us in supporting this meaningful work by getting involved, becoming a member, or making a donation. Read more:
Dec 18, 20251 min read
Finland’s Central Council of Jewish Communities Files Complaint with Parliamentary Ombudsman
The Central Council of Jewish Communities in Finland submitted a formal complaint to the Parliamentary Ombudsman regarding the conduct of the police authorities last monday, October 20th. Since November 2024, almost daily demonstrations have been held directly outside the Jewish Community Center in Helsinki, home to the city’s synagogue, school, and daycare. These protests have frequently targeted community members, including children, with slogans and messages that are offen
Oct 23, 20251 min read
Religion
The New Kosher List Has Been Published
We connect to Hashem through the mitzvot that He has commanded us to do and kashrut keeps that connection alive. Kosher food nourishes and strengthens our divine soul, while non-kosher food causes us to disconnect from our Creator, Heaven forbid (Likutey MohaRaN I:47).
Jan 81 min read
Join the Young Chazamin Seminar
The Nordic Jewish communities are inviting teens for a special weekend seminar for young chazanim from January 23rd to 25th, 2026. Teens bom 2012-2007 who are interested in taking an active role in the synagogue or learning more about Jewish song and prayer are more than welcome to apply to this opportunity. The seminar is open to Jewish teens from all backgrounds and genders. The Nordic Jewish communities will cover all expenses, including food, accommodation, flights, and o
Dec 11, 20251 min read
Parashat Vajeshev (in Finnish)
Rava bar Mechasja sanoi Rav Chama bar Gurjan sanoneen Ravia lainaten: ”Ihmisen ei tulisi koskaan kohdella lapsia eriarvoisesti, sillä kaksi selaa (vanha mitta) painava villavaate, jonka Jaakov antoi Josefille teki muut veljet kateellisiksi ja tämä johti esi-isiemme siirtymiseen Egyptiin.” (Talmud, Shabat 10b) Parashamme on tosiaan vahva esimerkki siitä miten yhden lapsen suosiminen muiden kustannuksella voi johtaa katastrofiin. Uskon kuitenkin, että myös Jaakovilla oli syy om
Dec 11, 20251 min read
Parashat Vajetse (in English)
‘ Ja Jaakov lähti Be’er Shevasta ja meni Charaniin. ’ (1. Moos. 28:10) Parashamme aloitus herättää kommentaarien uteliaisuuden. Tiedämme nimittäin jo aikaisemman tekstin perusteella, että Jaakov lähti matkaan kohti Charania. (mp. 28:5 ). Muutenkin sanat ’lähti Be’er Shevasta’ ovat tarpeettomia, sillä viime parashassa tehtiin jo hyvin selväksi, että Jitschak ja hänen perheensä asuivat Be’er Shevassa. Rashi selittää, että Toora korostaa tässä tsadikin eli hurskaan ihmisen poist
Nov 26, 20252 min read
Opinion
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
HOK-Elanto, France’s Late Apology – and Jews in the Defendant’s Seat Across the Centuries
"The traitor: Degradation of Alfred Dreyfus, degradation in the Morland Court of the military school in Paris " by Henri Meyer, Public domain In November 2025, France posthumously promoted Alfred Dreyfus to the rank of brigadier general — 130 years after he had been wrongfully convicted of treason and sent to rot on Devil’s Island. The decree, signed by President Emmanuel Macron, is meant to “correct” a historic injustice committed by the French army. It is easy to welcome t
Nov 20, 20257 min read
bottom of page