List of Finnish Jews

This page comprises a list of Finnish Jews of note.

[edit] Politics

Ben Zyskowicz (b. 1954), member of parliament and chairman of the parliament group of the Kokoomus party.
Max Jakobson (b. 1923), Finland's former ambassador to the United Nations and Sweden.

Dennis Livson (b. 1946), producer. Founder of the Moomin World theme park, producer of the Alfred J. Kwak TV series, and creator of a Moomin cartoon series with Lars Jansson. Fought in the Six-Day War as a volunteer.
Axel Wilhelm Wahren (1814-1885), factory owner and principal founder of Forssa. Converted to Lutheranism.

Arje Scheinin (1923-2003), researcher in dentistry. Rector of the University of Turku between 1981-1987. Best-known for his research on xylitol.
Karmela Liebkind (b. 1949), professor of Social psychology at the University of Helsinki, and researcher of ethnic relations. Representative of Finland in ECRI (Council of Europe Expert Commission against Racism and Intolerance) between 1994–2000. Deputy member of Commission of Discrimination appointed by the Finnish Council of State since 2004.
Ben Furman (b. 1953), specialist in psychiatry, psychotherapist. TV psychiatrist in YLE between 1998–2006. Writer.

Mauritz Stiller (1883-1928), actor, screenwriter, silent film director. "Discoverer" of Greta Garbo. Great-uncle of Ruben Stiller (see below).
Seela Sella née Virtanen (proselyte by marriage), (b. 1936), actress. [1]
Marion Rung (b. 1945), singer. Representative of Finland in the Eurovision Song Contest 1962.
Rafael Wardi (former Waprinsky) (born 1928), painter. Well-known for use of strong yellow colour in his oil paintings, pastel drawings and aquarelle paintings. Apprentice of Sam Vanni.
Sam Vanni (former Besprosvanni) (1908-1992), painter. Considered a pioneer of Finnish abstract art.
Hillel Tokazier (b. 1946), musician. Lived in Israel between 1970-1975.
Daniel Katz (b. 1938), author. Shortlisted for the Finlandia literary award in 2001.

Salomon Klass, captain in the Finnish army and commander of a battalion. Zionist. Served in the Continuation War. Was awarded an Iron Cross by the Nazi Germany, but declined it.
Elias Katz (1901–1947), distance runner, Olympic champion. Competed for Finland in the 1924 Summer Olympics held in Paris, France, winning the gold medal in the 3000m team race with fellow Finns Paavo Nurmi and Ville Ritola, and finishing second in the 3000 metre steeple chase.
Ruben Stiller (b. 1961), TV talkshow host.