Abstract

On the 16th December 1984 the Jewish community in Copenhagen could celebrate the 300th anniversary of the official permission from the Danish state to hold services in Denmark. Granted by King Christian V, this permission marks the official birthday of the community. This was the tender start of a community which gained foothold during the 18th century, and towards the turn of the century considerable communities had established themselves in Copenhagen and several provincial towns. The Jewish reform movement founded in Germany also reached Denmark and from the early 19th century a number of reforms were introduced in congregational life and in relation to the surrounding Christian community.