Denmark Square Memorial, Holocaust memorial in Beit HaKerem, Israel.
Denmark Square Memorial stands at the heart of Denmark Square (Kikar Denya), the central square of Jerusalem's Beit HaKerem neighborhood, at the junction of Herzl Boulevard, Beit HaKerem Street and HaArazim Street. The monument by Rolf (Ruda) Reilinger is carved as a ship sailing a sea full of rocks and shoals, built from thick dark gray and black planks and blocks. Long angular beams lie nearly horizontal at the base, crossing and reaching left and right, while blocky rectangular slabs rise and interlock above them into a jagged, asymmetrical mass peaking near the center. The matte, slightly textured sculpture rests directly on paving of light square tiles.
The memorial commemorates the Danish resistance movement that rescued and transported more than 7,000 Jews to Sweden between 1943 and 1944. This rescue operation was one of the most successful humanitarian efforts during Nazi occupation.
The square is named Dania, the Hebrew name for Denmark, honouring the Danish people's rescue of Danish Jews during the Holocaust. Signs beside the monument tell that story in five languages: Hebrew, Arabic, English, Danish and Swedish, and also recount the reception of the rescued in Sweden.
The square sits at the junction of Herzl Boulevard with Beit HaKerem and HaArzim streets, beside the light rail stop that opened in 2011. A pedestrian underpass, the first of its kind in Jerusalem when it opened in 1969, links the square with the far side of Herzl Boulevard. Part of the paved area is planted as a garden, and benches were added in the 2019 renovation.
The monument was made by sculptor Rolf (Ruda) Reilinger and depicts a ship sailing among rocks and shoals. Signs beside it tell the rescue story in five languages: Hebrew, Arabic, English, Danish and Swedish. The square was renovated in July 2019 for 2.5 million shekels, a project that included conserving the monument.
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