Even the most religiously observant will be able to catch most of England’s quarter-final match against Norway this Saturday, as it kicks off not long before Shabbat goes out. With a coveted semi-final spot up for grabs, a nation awaits, but how much do you know about the opposing country when it comes to Yiddishkeit? Before the whistle blows, test your knowledge of Norway’s surprising Jewish story.
1. Norway has two Jewish communities: the larger in Oslo and the smaller in Trondheim. The city of Trondheim is the northernmost Jewish community in Europe.
2. Jewish slaughter (shechita) has been banned in Norway since 1929, therefore kosher meat is imported.
3. Norway is a big supplier to Israel’s seafood market, with more than 80 percent of Israel’s salmon imported from Norway.
4. Norway played a central role in bringing together Israeli leaders to help facilitate the Oslo Accords, signed in 1993 and 1995.
5. Only 320 Norwegian Jews have made aliyah to Israel since 1948.
6. The Nobel Peace Prize is entirely managed and awarded in Norway.
7. Norway’s largest import from Israel is industrial chlorides, which are vital for its manufacturing and metallurgical industries.
8. During the Holocaust more than half of Norway’s Jewish population of 1,800 escaped the Nazis by fleeing into neutral Sweden.
9. The premier tool used by Norway’s police force to extract data from locked mobile devices is developed by the Israeli cyber-intelligence firm Cellebrite.
10. Norway is home to around 1,500 Jews today. Chabad has a presence in Oslo, and Bnai Brith and Bnei Akiva both run programmes.
England plays Norway Saturday 11 July 10pm
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