The bond between Montenegro and the Jewish people is a story that is rarely told, but one that resonates deeply - a story of courage, coexistence, and cultural interpenetration that spans centuries. As Montenegro continues to define its place on the world stage, and Jews around the world strive to preserve their heritage and build new partnerships, there is both a moral obligation and a historical opportunity to renew this ancient bond.
Although the Jewish community in Montenegro has never been large, its roots run deep. There is evidence that Jews arrived in the region as early as Roman times, drawn by the Adriatic trade routes and urban centers of the empire. Over the centuries, Jewish life in Montenegro has been shaped by the country’s unique geography and culture: rugged mountains that fostered resilience and coastal cities that fostered connection.
One of the earliest and most intriguing traces of Jewish life in Montenegro can be found in Ulcinj, where Jewish merchants were active centuries ago along the Montenegrin coast. Meanwhile, in Kotor and other areas under Venetian rule, Jewish merchants connected the Balkans with the Mediterranean world. These Jews were bridge builders between East and West, preserving their faith while contributing to the communities in which they lived.
Montenegro, long known for its tenacious independence and tolerance, provided a relatively safe haven during periods of regional unrest. In the 19th century, when parts of Europe were gripped by anti-Semitic persecution, Montenegrin bishop and ruler Petar II Petrović Njegoš was known for his fair treatment of minorities, including Jews. His principled stance set a precedent that endured into the 20th century.
During World War II, when the Jewish people were going through their darkest moments, Montenegrins once again stood out. Despite the Nazi occupation and local fascist collaborators, many Jews found refuge among the Montenegrin population. Stories of ordinary Montenegrins who risked their lives to protect their Jewish neighbors testify to the values of honor and solidarity that define the Montenegrin spirit.
Indeed, Montenegro was one of the few European territories where the majority of Jews survived the war. Although some were deported, many were hidden by local families or joined the Yugoslav partisans. Among them were Jewish resistance fighters like Isak Altarac, who distinguished himself in the fighting in the Montenegrin mountains. Such heroism created bonds of blood and struggle, creating a legacy that demands to be remembered.
Traces of Montenegro’s Jewish heritage are still woven into the landscape today. In Kotor, historical records record the presence of a small Jewish community since the 17th century, during Venetian rule, while the Jewish cemetery above the old town stands as a silent testament to a once vibrant community of merchants and artisans. In Ulcinj, local traditions speak of the settlement of Jewish merchants and refugees during the 16th and 17th centuries, when the city was a vibrant trading hub under Ottoman rule.
A particularly significant archaeological discovery occurred in 1963 in the ancient Roman city of Duklja (near present-day Podgorica), where a Jewish tomb from the 3rd century AD was discovered. Decorated with colorful frescoes of a seven-branched candlestick (menorah), birds, vines, and a six-pointed star, this tomb represents one of the earliest known examples of Jewish funerary art in the Balkans, confirming the cosmopolitan character of Roman Duklja and the existence of an integrated Jewish community. In Podgorica, the opening of the first synagogue in 2013 marked not only a spiritual renewal, but also a bridge between memory and renewal.
Today, the Jewish community in Montenegro is small but vital. The revival of organized Jewish life in recent years, including the opening of a synagogue in Podgorica, represents a renewed Jewish presence in this proud Balkan nation. The Montenegrin government has also shown a genuine commitment to interfaith harmony and the preservation of Jewish heritage. In 2012, Montenegro signed a historic agreement with the Jewish community, formally recognizing Judaism as an official religion and committing to the protection of Jewish cemeteries, holy sites, and cultural properties. This gesture, rare even in more populous countries, confirms Montenegro’s commitment to tolerance, religious freedom, and historical justice.
However, much work remains to be done to translate symbolic gestures into lasting partnerships. There is enormous, yet untapped potential for strengthening ties between Montenegro and the global Jewish diaspora. Programs that would promote Jewish heritage tourism, academic research, youth exchanges, and cultural cooperation could enrich both sides.
Montenegro's stunning landscapes and ancient cities offer an enticing setting for Jewish travelers interested in both history and nature. At the same time, Israeli and American Jewish entrepreneurs and philanthropists can find a welcoming partner in Montenegro for innovation, sustainable development, and cross-cultural initiatives.
This year marks the twentieth anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Israel and Montenegro, an anniversary that reflects the increasingly close and warm ties between the two countries. From the growth of trade and tourism, to cultural exchanges, to the shared cherishing of historical memory, the partnership continues to deepen in meaningful ways.
By investing in these connections, through educational exchanges, historical commemorations, and public diplomacy, both Montenegrins and Jews can affirm the values that bind them together: resilience, hospitality, and the pursuit of justice.
In a world increasingly defined by polarization, the example of the Montenegrins who protected their Jewish neighbors and the Jews who fought for Montenegro's freedom reminds us of what is possible when we choose courage over complacency. Their legacy is not just a story of shared survival, but of a shared moral vision.
The renewal of the Jewish-Montenegrin bond is more than an act of historical remembrance - it is a step towards a future based on mutual respect and shared purpose. Let us honor the past by forging new paths together, proving that the bridges built by our ancestors can once again lead us to understanding and friendship.
The author is a rabbi, former deputy director of communications in the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and a longtime columnist for the Jerusalem Post.
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