Malmo Synagoga (Malmo Synagogue), Malmo

The Malmö Synagogue, an Orthodox Jewish congregation located on Föreningsgatan in Malmö, is a rare architectural gem. Designed by John Smedberg and completed in 1903, the building combines Art Nouveau and Moorish Revival styles, making it one of the few remaining synagogues in Europe with such a design. The significance of its architecture is heightened by the fact that many similar structures were destroyed during Kristallnacht in 1938.

The synagogue has a unique historical importance, as it was Malmö's first non-Christian place of worship. It remains a symbol of the city’s Jewish heritage and resilience. At its peak in the 1970s, the community had over 2,000 members—about 1% of Malmö’s population at the time. However, in recent decades, the community has faced a decline in membership due to increasing antisemitic sentiments, with adult membership dropping by around 500 between 1999 and 2019.

Established in 1871, Malmö’s Jewish community was the fifth in Sweden, following Stockholm, Gothenburg, Norrköping, and Karlskrona. Initially composed of German and Polish immigrants, it grew with arrivals from Eastern Europe fleeing persecution and conscription. The first rabbi, Joseph Wohlstein, was appointed in 1900, and Jacob and Clara Lachmann funded the synagogue. During WWII, it became a sanctuary for Danish Jews. In 2011, an egalitarian community was established alongside the Orthodox congregation.

In 2021, the synagogue attracted approximately 5,000 visitors annually. It also hosted an International Holocaust Remembrance Forum in October of the same year, which was attended by delegates from 44 countries, including Sweden’s Prime Minister Stefan Löfven and King Carl Gustaf XVI. The event underscored the synagogue’s commitment to Holocaust remembrance and combating antisemitism.

In collaboration with the Malmö Municipality, the synagogue was transformed into a knowledge center in January 2022, promoting understanding and cultural awareness. This new role highlights the synagogue’s enduring place in Malmö’s multicultural fabric and its ongoing contributions to dialogue and education.