Jews Rally for Israel in Sweden

Lubavitch.com

In a dramatic departure from the low profile kept by Jews in Sweden, hundreds attended a pro-Israel rally Monday, in Gothenburg. Organized by Peace in the Middle East, a simultaneous event took place in Stockholm.

Rabbi Alexander Namdar opened the event and led the crowd in singing Am Yisrael Chai from the podium. As is customary during the month prior to Rosh Hashana, Rabbi Namdar then blew the shofar, a first in Gotheburg.

The event saw Jewish pride surge in this hotbed of anti-Israel sentiment, where, intimidated by anti-Israel attitudes and a pervasive aversion to religious expression, Jews rarely assert their identity publicly.

“It was the first time in history that the shofar was blown here at such an event,” said Josef Z, who attended. ” And on Gustav Adolf’s Square!”

“It was a promising message: ‘we will prevail, despite all odds,'” said another participant.

Oded Meiri, president of the organization who arranged the rally, said, ” I am doing this, because I never knew my grandparents. They had vanished in the Holocaust. But I want my grandchildren to know me. And we want the world to know the Israel has a right to exist.”

Inspired by the display of pride by local Jews, many lined up to wrap tefillin with Rabbi Namdar during the event.

After Jonathan, a 19 year-old Jewish local, closed his eyes and said the Shema, tefillin on his head, Rabbi Namdar said: “This is proof that Israel lives on. This is truly Am Yisrael Chai.”