History

The first Jews probably arrived in the area we now call Switzerland along with the Romans. Over the centuries they lived in Switzerland in small numbers in different towns and villages. In the Middle Ages, Jews living in Switzerland were subject to special discriminatory legislation. Many Jews were expelled from their homes. It took centuries before Jews were allowed to settle again permanently in Switzerland. The first step was made towards the end of the 18th century: from 1776, Jews were allowed to settle in the villages of Lengnau and Endingen, two communities in the canton of Aargau to the west of Zurich. For almost a hundred years these remained the only two villages where Jews were allowed to live.

By around 1850 some 1,500 Jews lived in the two villages. It was not until 1866 that, after international pressure, Jews in Switzerland were granted the right to settle all over the country. New Jewish communities developed. Six years later, in 1874, the Jews were granted equality, with civil rights and duties enshrined in the federal constitution. Henceforth they were free to choose their abode and profession and were no longer subject to special discriminatory regulations. In the next decades, Jewish communities developed in around 20 towns and villages around Switzerland.

By the end of the 19th century Jewish life was flourishing in Switzerland. However, in 1893 the Jews suffered a severe setback when Swiss voters decided to introduce a ban on Shechita (the kosher killing of animals) in the federal constitution. As result of this vote, most Jewish communities in Switzerland decided to set up and become affiliates under a national umbrella organisation. In 1904, the Swiss Federation of Jewish Communities was established. One of its first goals was to generally protect and foster the common interests of Jews in Switzerland, and especially to fight against the ban on Shechita.

After the First World War, Jews in Switzerland came under severe threat from antisemitism, which became more and more severe in each decade that followed. After the beginning of the Second World War, Switzerland and its Jews were threatened by the Nazis, but luckily Switzerland never suffered Nazi occupation. Nevertheless, Switzerland’s policy in wartime gave grounds for a great deal of criticism for many years to come. After 1933 the Swiss authorities adopted a negative asylum policy against Jewish refugees. Despite the protests of churches, politicians and parts of the population, Jewish refugees were turned away and sent back.

The period after the Second World War in Switzerland was generally marked by a powerful economic upswing and major social changes. A more pluralistic Switzerland with a greater understanding for different faiths and ways of life emerged, and Jews in Switzerland gained acceptance as a well integrated minority.

DEMOGRAPHY

At present, approximately 18,000 Jews live in Switzerland. They lead a very active religious, cultural and social life, particularly in urban centres such as Zurich, Basel, Berne, Lausanne and Geneva.

COMMUNITY

Jewish life in Switzerland has many facets. Besides religious and social activities it embraces cultural events, educational courses and schools. There are kosher stores and Jewish institutions such as schools and kindergartens.

Most Jews in Switzerland are members of Jewish communities, 16 of which belong to the Swiss Federation of Jewish Communities (SIG). A few Orthodox and Reform communities operate independently. The three Reform communities of Basel, Geneva and Zurich are members of the Platform for Liberal Jews in Switzerland (PLJS). To ensure a unified voice on the political scene, the SIG collaborates with the PLJS on various political issues.

RELIGIOUS LIFE

Over 40 synagogues and prayer rooms denominations ranging from Orthodox to Liberal operate in Switzerland today. Services are conducted regularly in Zurich, Geneva, Berne, Basel, Lausanne, Lucerne, St. Gallen, Baden and Lugano. There are also over twenty Jewish schools and kindergartens functioning in Zurich, Geneva, Lausanne, Lucerne and Basel.

SWISS JEWS AND ISRAEL

The Musiksaal at the Stadtcasino in Basel was the venue of the first Zionist Congress in 1897. This was the beginning of a deep friendship between the Jews of Switzerland and the Zionist movement. Since 1948, around 3,500 Swiss Jews have emigrated to Israel. Israel and Switzerland maintain full diplomatic relations.

THE SWISS FEDERATION OF JEWISH COMMUNITIES (SIG)

The SIG is the umbrella organization for sixteen Jewish communities in Switzerland. It represents the interests of Swiss Jews in relation to political groups, the authorities, institutions and the media. The SIG represents the Jewish community in a large number of groups in the areas of politics and civil society and on interfaith. Its work also focuses on reinforcing the Jewish identity and sense of community, disseminating knowledge about Judaism and preserving the Jewish cultural heritage and remembrance of the Shoah, and preventing antisemitism and racism. The SIG also advises and supports its member communities.

The SIG is a member of the European Jewish Congress (EJC) and the World Jewish Congress (WJC). The SIG cooperates with the European Council of Jewish Communities (ECJC) via the Association of Swiss Jewish Refugee Aid and Welfare Organisations (VSJF), member of the ECJC. The Vice-President of SIG is a member of the Executive of the EJC.

The Board of Directors of the SIG consists of a President and six members and is chosen by the Assembly of Delegates. Since 2020, Dr. Ralph Lewin has been the President of the Swiss Federation of Jewish Communities.