jøder

Jøder is the Norwegian and Danish plural noun for Jews. The singular form is jøde. In both languages, the term designates people who identify with Judaism or who are members of the Jewish ethnic or religious community.

Etymology: The word is part of a broad European linguistic tradition in which terms for Jew trace back to Latin Iudaeus via Greek Ioudaios. In Norwegian and Danish, the form has been adapted to local phonology and orthography, yielding jøde in the singular and jøder in the plural.

Usage and context: In neutral, academic, religious, and cultural contexts, jøde/jøder is a standard descriptor. Historically, terms for Jewish people have sometimes been used pejoratively; contemporary usage in Norway and Denmark, as elsewhere, emphasizes respectful language and clear distinction between describing identity and expressing prejudice.

Cultural and social life: Jewish communities in Norway and Denmark are small minority communities with synagogues, schools, cultural organizations, and kosher facilities. Hebrew and Yiddish traditions influence liturgy, education, and cultural events, alongside local languages. Jewish history in these countries includes periods of both integration and discrimination, contributing to contemporary discussions about pluralism and minority rights.

See also: Antisemitism, Judaism, Jewish diaspora, Nordic Jewish communities, Holocaust remembrance.