Iceland Opens Its First Jewish Cultural Center in Reykjavik
Reykjavik marked a historic milestone this week with the inauguration of "Beit Shweidler," Iceland's first Jewish cultural and community center. Spanning approximately 840 square meters over three floors, the new facility will serve the local Jewish community, estimated between 100 and 300 members, as well as thousands of Jewish tourists visiting annually. The center was established by Chabad emissaries Rabbi Avraham Feldman and his wife Mushki, who have been active in Iceland since 2018. Until now, the Jewish community operated from private homes and temporary spaces, with Reykjavik being the only European capital without a permanent rabbi or synagogue for over a century.
Rabbi Feldman expressed at the opening ceremony, "We dreamed of this moment for years, and today we sit inside the dream that became reality. This is a home where every Jew can enter, feel at home, and simply be Jewish." The center includes a Judaica and kosher food store, a community event hall, educational and cultural activities, and a new permanent exhibition titled "Jewish Life in Iceland." This exhibit will showcase over a century of Jewish history on the island through documents and photographs.
The opening ceremony was attended by over 100 guests, including rabbis from Scandinavian countries, public figures, and diplomatic representatives. Among the speakers was a member of parliament and former mayor of Reykjavik, who described the center as "a living bridge connecting cultures, dispelling ignorance, and promoting dialogue and understanding." He noted that many Jews in Iceland had hesitated to openly identify as Jewish for years, highlighting the importance of education and dialogue. Iceland's Prime Minister, Katrín Jakobsdóttir, sent a congratulatory letter calling the center "an important milestone for the Jewish community and Icelandic society," and expressed hope for continued cooperation between the government and the Jewish community.
The center is named after businessman and philanthropist Eugene Shweidler, one of the main donors, alongside other philanthropists who helped fund the project.
