Jewish Center In Sweden Closes After Anti-Semitic Threats
Graphic by Angelie Zaslavsky
(JTA) — A Jewish center in northern Sweden has decided to close after receiving anti-Semitic threats.
The members of the Judisk Föreningen, or Jewish Association, in Umea, Sweden at a meeting on Sunday decided to close its building and end the association’s activities, The Local-Sweden reported.
The association has received threatening e-mails, and its building was vandalized with stickers of swastikas and spraypainted threats such as “we know where you live,” The Local reported, citing the Swedish-language SVT News Västerbotten.
“Too many things have happened lately which mean that Jewish parents don’t feel safe having their kids at the schools. Our children shouldn’t live in a world where they have to be ashamed for what they are, but it’s not possible to operate if people are scared,” Umeå Jewish Association spokesperson Carinne Sjöberg told SVT.
Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.
I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.
The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.
That’s why I’m paying it Forward, by matching $36,000 of reader gifts. It’s an investment in the Forward’s newsroom, to continue telling the American Jewish story with truth and independence.
— Joel Brown, Forward board chair
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
