Join us for the second session in our online From the Mediterranean to the Northern Lights: Jewish Journeys Together series for a Jewish exploration of Norway.
The Jewish presence in Norway began in the mid-19th century, after the repeal of the 1814 constitution’s “Jew Clause” in 1851 — a change driven by poet and activist Henrik Wergeland. Early Jewish settlers, many from Eastern Europe and Denmark, established communities in cities such as Trondheim and Oslo. The Trondheim synagogue, once a train station, stands as a symbol of survival and adaptation. During the Holocaust, over a third of Norwegian Jews were deported and murdered, leaving deep scars on both cities’ communities. Post-war years saw a gradual rebuilding of Jewish life, balancing tradition with the realities of modern Norwegian society. Today, Trondheim and Oslo reflect a blend of resilience, migration, and living heritage.
About our speaker:
Our guide, Louise Kahn, is a Norwegian-born Jewish social entrepreneur, cultural organizer, and civic leader focused on strengthening Jewish identity and dialogue in Europe. Born and raised in Norway in a Jewish family with strong Zionist roots, she later moved to Israel, where she has been based since young adulthood. Kahn is the founder of Kos & Kaos, a Nordic Jewish network that creates platforms for open conversation, intellectual exchange, and community-building around issues such as antisemitism, identity, and the public discourse surrounding Israel. She is also the founder of Compass North, an initiative focused on connecting Nordic Jewish voices, fostering cross-border collaboration, and addressing contemporary challenges facing Jewish communities in Northern Europe. Through roundtables, debates, and cultural programming, her work aims to counter polarization and create space for nuanced, inclusive dialogue. Her work sits at the intersection of identity, technology, and civic engagement, with a particular focus on amplifying underrepresented perspectives and strengthening Jewish communal resilience in Europe.
This series is made possible by a grant from the Congregation Ahabat Shalom Religious Fund and other generous donors.
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