Jødisk familieliv i Norge
Translated Title
Jewish family life in Norway
Author(s)
Publication Name
Publication Date
Abstract
Jewish family life has undergone great structural changes during the almost150 years that Jewish families
have lived in Norway. From the time in 1860 when the first family settled in Drammen till today, the Second
World War, which halved the Jewish population, has been the most significant factor negatively influencing
the continuity of Jewish family life. Other structural factors have been fewer siblings and that mixed
marriages and divorce have become more common. Although the Jewish family has undergone great
changes during the last generations and has become more like other families, it is still the most significant
component of Jewish identity. The article is based on a study of interviews in the fall 1992 with 18
Norwegian Jews between 25 and 50 years old and living in Oslo and Trondheim. The study shows that
Jewish social life takes place first and foremost through the family and to a lesser extent through Jewish
friends and Jewish organisations. In their own homes Norwegian Jews choose to let Jewish traditions
influence their family life in some ways. Even though new ways of life such as mixed marriages and
cohabitation with non-Jews have made it more difficult to preserve Jewish values and become involved in
Jewish activities, Norwegian Jews have managed to create Jewish homes, to give their children a Jewish
upbringing and to carry on some of their rituals according to the orthodox tradition.
have lived in Norway. From the time in 1860 when the first family settled in Drammen till today, the Second
World War, which halved the Jewish population, has been the most significant factor negatively influencing
the continuity of Jewish family life. Other structural factors have been fewer siblings and that mixed
marriages and divorce have become more common. Although the Jewish family has undergone great
changes during the last generations and has become more like other families, it is still the most significant
component of Jewish identity. The article is based on a study of interviews in the fall 1992 with 18
Norwegian Jews between 25 and 50 years old and living in Oslo and Trondheim. The study shows that
Jewish social life takes place first and foremost through the family and to a lesser extent through Jewish
friends and Jewish organisations. In their own homes Norwegian Jews choose to let Jewish traditions
influence their family life in some ways. Even though new ways of life such as mixed marriages and
cohabitation with non-Jews have made it more difficult to preserve Jewish values and become involved in
Jewish activities, Norwegian Jews have managed to create Jewish homes, to give their children a Jewish
upbringing and to carry on some of their rituals according to the orthodox tradition.
Topics
Genre
Geographic Coverage
Original Language
Volume/Issue
12
Page Number
45-54
Link
PDF (via academia.edu), Jødisk familieliv i Norge
