„ŽYDŲ KRONIKA“ IR SUOMIJOS ŽYDŲ TAPATYBĖS FORMAVIMASIS 1918–1920 METAIS

Teuvo Laitila

doi:10.15388/knygotyra.2016.66.10019

Abstract

The article discusses how the short-lived Finnish Jewish journal Judisk Kronika (The Jewish Chronicle), 1918–1920, attempted to reshape Jewish identity in Finland. Before the Finnish independence in 1917, Jews were regulated by special statutes, which made them second-class citizens. In 1918, they formally got full civil rights. At the same time, due to the changes in Palestine, they were faced with an opportunity to become citizens of a Jewish state, promised by the Balfour Declaration in 1917. In principle, the Judisk Kronika was open to all kinds of discussion of Jewish culture and Jewish societal interests. In fact, however, in most articles it provided material for discussion, how Jews in Finland could be, or decide between being, loyal Finnish citizens and true members of the Jewish nation. The journal suggested that in considering this ‘double identity’ the Jews had to take into account two things. On the one hand, they had to consider the risks of the rising anti-Semitism and pogroms connected to armed conflicts, above all in the territories of the former Russian Empire. On the other hand, they had the option to join Zionist Movement and its aspirations to turn Palestine again into the Jewish homeland. The journal seemed to be on the side of Zionism and active creation of a Jewish national identity, but did not decline the emancipation of Jews. Both Jewish and Finnish Jewish identities were suggested as equally valid.

Highlights

JEWS IN FINLAND BEFORE 1918From ca. mid-twelfth century until 1809, Finland was part of the Kingdom of Sweden
Before the Finnish independence in 1917, Jews were regulated by special statutes, which made them second-class citizens
The Judisk Krönika was open to all kinds of discussion of Jewish culture and Jewish societal interests

Summary

INTRODUCTION

From ca. mid-twelfth century until 1809, Finland was part of the Kingdom of Sweden. Jews were officially allowed to the country quite late, dur ing the later part of the seventeenth century, and only on the territories of the present-day Sweden. Its contributors included the first Jewish doctoral graduate (in medicine) from the University of Helsinki, Isak Pergament, and the teacher of the Jewish parish in Helsinki cheder or elementary school, Israel Schur.[4] The latter was the editor of the Finnish Jewish journal Judisk Krönika (The Jewish Chronicle, hereafter JK), which started to appear in November 1918. It came out twice a month until December 1920, when it was discontinued due to financial problems. In October 1919 he regretted that ‘members of [the Finnish Jewish] congregations have shown very low interest towards both the various important societal matters and the journal and its endeavour’.12 This may be an exaggeration, but there seems to be no reason to assume that the journal had any larger circulation

In Swedish

Conclusions

Literature