Chronology of Jews in Denmark

1622
King Christian IV of Denmark invites Sephardi (Spanish) Jews living in Amsterdam and Hamburg to settle in Danish town of Glueckstadt.  He offers religious liberties and commercial opportunities.

1600s
Jews immigrate to Denmark.  They settle in Copenhagen and in the provinces.

1700s
Jewish population of Denmark grows to 1,830 persons.

1766
First Jewish synagogue, “German-Jewish Nation,” opens.

1782
1,830 Jews live in Denmark, 1,503 in Copenhagen.

1813
Anti-Jewish activities surge.

March 29, 1814
Jews are permitted Danish citizenship.  They lost some autonomy, however.

1819
Anti-Jewish activities surge.

June 5, 1849
Anti-Jewish laws and statutes are abolished with the adoption of the New Danish Constitution.  Jewish religion is officially recognized.

1834
4,072 Jews live in Denmark, 2,465 (60%) in Copenhagen and 1,706 (40%) in provinces.

1833
New synagogue opens in Copenhagen.

1864
Denmark loses war with Prussia and Austria.  This results in severe economic crisis.  Jews play important role in economic recovery.

1901
Jewish population declines to 3,476 due to assimilation, conversions, out-marriages, and low birth rates.  Only 245 Jews live in provincial towns.

1901-1921
3,145 Jews immigrate to Denmark.  2,650 are from Russia.  By 1921, 6,000 Jews live in Denmark, representing 1.8% of the population.

1903
Kishener pogrom against Jews in Russia begins mass exodus of Jews from Tsarist Russia.

1904-1905
Hundreds of refugees arrive in Denmark; 200 obtain permanent residence papers.

1929
Most Jews live in Copenhagen.  Many are in business, finance and retail trades.