Shir Hatzafon שיר הצפון

Progressiv Jødedom i Danmark   Progressive Judaism in Denmark

About Shir Hatzafon Updated 27-JAN-2008

What is Shir Hatzafon?

Shir Hatzafon is a progressive Jewish congregation. The words Shir Hatzafon are Hebrew and mean "Song of the North."

Our name emphasizes our geographic home in Northern Europe as well as reflecting how our services are characterized by songs and music.

The Mission

Our purpose is to promote and support the development of a Progressive Jewish community in Demark.

It is our goal to create a strong Progressive Jewish congregation in Copenhagen that can attract Jewish people from all of Denmark and the Øresund region (i.e., Copenhagen, Malmö and Southern Sweden).

We aim to strengthen the collectivity of Jewish life and expression in Denmark. By means of worship services, studies, discussions, celebrating Jewish holidays and a wide range of other activities, we seek to contribute to making Jewish life and Jewish traditions meaningful in our present time.

We find that…

... it ought to be possible to propagate and develop Jewish culture for Jewish people who live in mixed marriages/partnerships.

... it ought to be possible for members and their children to experience Jewish religion, history and culture, for instance by participating in events, study circles and courses.

... a multi-cultural Jewish community strongly and positively contributes to the development of Jewish culture and self-expression.

... women and men should be equal in all religions contexts.

... we are a cosmopolitan, innovative, lively community, cheerfully prone to a great deal of self-expression. Our membership is rich in global backgrounds, representing not only Danes, but those hailing from New York, California, Brazil, Israel, England, Mediterranean and European countries. From our youngest tiny members to our elder statesmen and women, we span the ages from newly-opened-eyes to the 70s.

International dimensions We are an international, renewing and living community. The members of our congregation have very diverse backgrounds and stem from various countries, such as New York, California, Brasil, Israel, England, the Mediterannean countries and other European countries. The age of our members also varies, spanning from babies to retired persons.

Visitors of all ages and nationalities are warmly welcomed to worship with us, or just to get acquainted at one of our social events.

Who Are We?

Shir Hatzafon began life in Denmark as “the PJF” (Progressive Jewish Forum), a small group of Jews who for three years conducted a monthly children’s Sunday School in Danish and an adult self-guided study group in English, celebrating their Jewish holidays together. These founders dreamed of creating a Progressive congregation in Copenhagen, and early in 2002 moved nearer their goal, becoming eligible for affiliation with the World Union for Progressive Judaism.

In the spring of 2001, the rapidly growing group inaugurated its very popular monthly Kabbalat Shabbat pot-luck dinners, and in 2002 began scheduling milestone events in religious observance with the help and participation of a steady stream of prominent Progressive guest rabbis from abroad.

These milestones included the visit of Dr. Leo Hepner (Chairperson of the European Region of the World Union for Progressive Judaism), establishment of the conversion program and bar/bat mitzvah studies (guided by Rabbi Charles Middleburgh), consecration of the congregation’s own Torah Scrolls (donated by Rabbi Tom Cohen’s congregation Kehilat Gesher in Paris), celebration of the first bar-mitzvah, and observance of High Holy Days, festivals and holidays for adults and children.

Distinguished visiting rabbis hosted during 2002 included Julia Neuberger-UK, Rebecca Lillian-USA, Charles Middleburgh-UK, Tom Cohen-France, and Leo Hepner-UK. Student Rabbi Stephen Wise joined us to conduct 2003 High Holy Day services and activities.

Subsequent years are witnessing Shir Hatzafon’s steady growth in size, widening of religious services to our community, and development through official recognition by government tax and the municipal authorities at Københavns Kommune.

Adult Study Circle

This paragraph is under construction.

Working groups

PJF has the following three working groups in which the members can participate:

1) Religious activities. This group develops and arranges Shabbath and other holidays. In addition, this group works with relevant religious questions.

2) Education. This group plans educational activities for children and adults respectively.

3) Membership and communication. This group is in charge of the list of our members as well as of the newsletter and updating our web site.

The working groups are open for new people. In case you would like to participate in one or more of the groups, don't hesitate to contact us.

Shir Hatzafon's twin congregation in Israel

In Shir Hatzafon, we are happy to cooperate on an international scale as well. For instance, we participate in the Eurojews cooperation. Lately, Shir Hatzafon has got a twin congregation in Israel, Kehilat Mevasseret Zion. By clicking at the icon below, you may visit their homepage.