From the 1880s to 1940, "Nerbyen" was a gathering point for Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe. They fled poverty and anti-Semitism and came to Norway – a country that only a few decades earlier had a ban on Jews in its constitution.

In Nerbyen, almost all Jewish families ran clothing stores of various kinds: manufacturing, men's clothing, knitwear, etc. The stores were often named after the owner, such as A. Mendelsohn, R. Isaksen, S. Paltiel or H. Klein. So far, we have found 60 different addresses in Nerbyen where one or more Jewish stores have been registered. In addition, there were several such stores elsewhere in the city. These stores became particularly popular among farmers, fishermen and others from the working in Trøndelag, who received good treatment and clothing at reasonable prices. Through their business activities, the Jews helped lift Nerbyen out of poverty and into modern Norway.

World War II and the Holocaust meant the end of many of the Jewish-owned shops. Although some resumed business after the war, Jewish life in Nerbyen and Trondheim was never the same. Traces of this history are very few today.

Aron Mendelsohn's manufacturing business at Brattørgata 12B, probably taken in the 1920s. Today, the Three Lions Pub is located in this building, which is a partner in this project. The photo belongs to the Jewish Museum Trondheim

To highlight this history, we have, with specially made illuminated signs and in collaboration with local businesses, lit up twelve shop windows in Nerbyen where a Jewish-owned business was once located. The signs are marked with a coat hanger icon, and contain the name and information about the shop that was once located there. Together, these signs form the “Map of Nerbyen”. They show some of the extent of Jewish life that existed here before the war.

The project has been carried out in collaboration with the farm and shop owners in Nerbyen who have shown great interest in highlighting this important part of the district's history. The collaboration with local actors has been crucial to the realization of the project, and for that we owe them a big thank you.

Collaborators

Abby’s textiles

Botique Bello

Clarion Collection Hotel Grand Olav

Folkets hus

Robust Bistro / Thon Eiendom

Spontan Vinbar / Rydning Holding

Arti læll

Café le Frère

Crispin Glover Record Shop

Jacobsen & Svart / Arkitektenes hus

Scandinavian mountaineering equipment

Three Lions Pub

The exhibition has been developed by the Jewish Museum Trondheim and ablemagic. The illuminated signs have been designed by ablemagic and executed by Plexon.

Thanks to Henriette Kahn, Ruth Paltiel, Ralph Buchmann, Catherine Kahn, Torunn Herje and Daniel Johansen.

We also thank the Norwegian Council for Arts, Trondheim Municipality and Fritt ord for financial support.