Jewish, Croatian-speaking in Croatia

People Name:	Jewish, Croatian-speaking
Country:	Croatia
10/40 Window:	No
Population:	1,700
World Population:	1,700
Primary Language:	Croatian
Primary Religion:	Ethnic Religions
Christian Adherents:	1.00 %
Evangelicals:	0.00 %
Scripture:	Complete Bible
Online Audio NT:	Yes
Jesus Film:	Yes
Audio Recordings:	Yes
People Cluster:	Jewish
Affinity Bloc:	Jewish
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

The Jewish community in Croatia dates back to the third century, but there is little information about them until the 10th and 15th centuries. Most of them were killed during Nazi occupation, and most of the survivors fled to Israel after the war, even though they had to renounce their old citizenship and leave almost all their belongings behind. The Jewish population in Croatia is still small to this day.

Where Are they Located?

Three quarters of Croatia's Jewish community lives in the capital of Zagreb, while others live in three smaller towns spread throughout the country.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Although intermarriage with non-Jewish people has been widespread, most of them have a strong Jewish identity. The community building in Zagreb contains a synagogue, an art gallery, a Jewish library, and a Holocaust research center.

Croatian Jewish people are concerned that their government supports ultra-nationalism and the local Croatian population, which views the Jewish community as "outsiders." Antisemitism has gradually been increasing, and many Croatian Jews are leaving the country out of fear.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Though they are officially Jewish, the Croatian Jewish community is fairly secular. Judaism doesn't affect their lives very much. Judaism has more to do with identity than spirituality to most of them.

What Are Their Needs?

Croatian Jews need a spiritual hunger that will drive them to seek and find spiritual answers. They need to find and embrace their messiah, Jeshua (Jesus).

Prayer Points

Pray for God's protection for Croatia's Jewish population.
Pray that believers in Croatia will be filled with God's wisdom, understanding, tact, and compassion so they can reach out to the Croatian Jewish people with His saving grace and love.
Pray for a Disciple-Making movement to emerge among Croatian-speaking Jews.