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From Arctic hunters to Israeli warships, the unlikely Jewish story hidden in Greenlan

image sourced from original article at https://www.ynetnews.com/jewish-world/article/rkhkpoxubg

Greenland, the world's largest and most remote island, has a surprising and persistent Jewish history despite never having a formal Jewish community. Jewish whalers first arrived in the 16th century, and over the centuries, Jewish scientists, soldiers, and medical workers left their mark, including Dr. Fritz Loewe, whose Arctic expeditions became legendary. During World War II, Jewish soldiers stationed at American bases in Greenland organized prayer groups and celebrated holidays, creating a unique sense of community in the harsh environment. The story also includes Rita Scheftelowitz, a nurse who maintained Jewish traditions in the Arctic, and the Northland icebreaker, which later became the first ship of the Israeli navy. These stories reveal that Jewish identity and hope have endured even at the edge of the world.

Original article source: https://www.ynetnews.com/jewish-world/article/rkhkpoxubg
Source Id: 2026-01-960488391

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