Oslo
Rosh Hashanah Gathering
20.09.2025
On Saturday evening, Kos & Kaos welcomed the Jewish New Year with an evening full of warmth, reflection, and community spirit. Rabbi Michael Kohn opened the night with moving words...
Kos & Kaos, Where Curiosity Shapes Community.
Kos & Kaos (Coziness & Chaos) — where diverse Jewish backgrounds and identities converge, united by a shared dedication to dialogue and Jewish culture. We meet the world with curiosity, spark connections, and create meaningful experiences that invite everyone to engage and explore.
Kos & Kaos
Founded in 2016 in the heart of Oslo, Kos & Kaos has grown from a local initiative into a vibrant Nordic platform for Jewish culture, dialogue, and community life. We are not only a network and a community – we are a living expression of renewal, belonging, and curiosity.
Kos & Kaos represents a cultural, ethnic and civic dimension of Jewish life in Norway.
Our Mission:
At Kos & Kaos, we work to empower and revitalize Jewish life in Norway and the Nordic region. We promote the rights and interests of the Jewish national minority, engage in dialogue with government and civil society, and create open, inclusive spaces where Jewish ethnic and cultural identity can thrive.
We draw on Jewish history, tradition, and collective memory not only to preserve the past, but to understand the present and imagine the future. By connecting ancient ideas with contemporary questions, we seek to spark new cultural expressions and strengthen a sense of continuity between generations.
What We Do:
Kos & Kaos brings people together through culture, knowledge, and conversation.
We host thought-provoking discussions, cultural events, culinary explorations, and learning journeys that spark friendships and foster connection across generations.
Each gathering is an opportunity to share stories, exchange perspectives, and reflect on what it means to live Jewishly – here and now.
Innovation and Inspiration:
At the heart of Kos & Kaos lies a spirit of innovation and courage.
We challenge stereotypes, invite new perspectives, and build bridges between communities.
Our programs explore the intersections of Jewish identity, memory, and modern society – from heritage and history to art, ethics, and public discourse.
Over the years, we have hosted leading thinkers and creators including Mosab Yousef, Rabbi Micha Odenheimer, Gerhard Helskog, Martin Krasnik, Natasha Hausdorff, and Haviv Rettig Gur.
Their voices, and those of countless others, have helped make Kos & Kaos a platform for dialogue that resonates far beyond the Jewish community.
Fighting Antisemitism:
We are committed to combating antisemitism through education, dialogue, and international cooperation. Together with the Anti-Defamation League, The Holocaust Center, IHRA, Combat Antisemitism Movement, The Jewish Joint, and Project Shema, we organize workshops and programs that provide tools and strategies to confront hatred and prejudice. Our partnerships with the Jewish Museum in Oslo and other cultural institutions strengthen Jewish identity while educating the broader public about Jewish history, culture, and the dangers of antisemitism.
By engaging diverse voices and sharing best practices nationally and internationally, Kos & Kaos contributes to greater awareness, resilience, and solidarity in the fight against antisemitism.
Join us in our mission to unite, inspire, and shape the future together.
Previous Events & Activities
Oslo
"If you will it" - Celebrating Theodor Herzl
23.8.24
On August 23, Kos & Kaos hosted The Herzl Party – If You Will It, an evening that blended history, music, and celebration into something truly unforgettable. The atmosphere at...
Oslo
Israel and Palestine - Understanding the Past, Imagining the Future with Haviv Retttig Gur
21.08.2025
On August 21st at Litteraturhuset in Oslo, journalist Bjørn Gabrielsen sat down with Israeli analyst Haviv Rettig Gur for a conversation that drew a packed audience and an extraordinary response...
Oslo
Personal experiences with antisemitism
12.06.2025
In this important session, 44 participants gathered for an evening of dialogue and reflection with representatives from the Norwegian police’s diversity and hate crime units, as well as staff from...
Copenhagen & Oslo
What is Genocide?" – A Two-City Debate Series on Law, Language, and the War in Gaza
May 26 & 28
Held in Copenhagen and Oslo, these events brought together voices from across the political and ideological spectrum—legal experts, politicians, activists, and scholars—for a calm but robust exchange on one of...
Oslo
Pesach Gathering with Haggadah reading
5th April 2025
On Saturday evening, Kos & Kaos gathered at the Jewish Museum in Oslo to celebrate Pesach — a night dedicated to freedom, resilience, and hope. We opened the evening by...
Oslo
Project Shema with Zachary Shaeffer in Oslo Breaking the Cycle: Understanding Antisemitism in a Modern Context
24.02.25
Zachary Schaffer led a powerful session, taking participants on a historical and analytical journey to understand who the Jewish people are and how antisemitism has evolved from before the time...
Oslo
Tubishvat - A Beautiful Evening of Music, Reflection, and Community
15.02.2025
On Saturday night, the Kos & Kaos community gathered at the Jewish Museum in Oslo to mark Tu Bishvat — the New Year of the Trees — with an evening...
Oslo
Historical background to antisemtitism - for youth and young adults
26.01.25
Kos & Kaos, in collaboration with HL-senteret and the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), hosted a workshop on antisemitism at Litteraturhuset in Oslo. The event aimed to equip young adults (16–32 years)...
Oslo
Kok & Kaos wine-tasting and conversation with Samuel J Hyde & Henrik Beckheim
5th January 2025
In January 2025, Kos & Kaos hosted KOK & KAOS, an evening that combined wine, sauna, and spirited conversation on Jewish identity, culture, and belonging. Set by the Oslo fjord...
Oslo
The Wild Chanukah Party
14.12.24
Kos & Kaos hosted a wild and vibrant Chanukah celebration, filled with joy, connection, and tradition....
Oslo
Kos & Kaos Ceramics class
16 & 30 November
Kos & Kaos hosted a two-day ceramics workshop at the Jewish Museum in Oslo, led by the talented ceramicist Marie Henriksen. The workshop, held on November 16 and 30, 2024,...
Litterturhuset, Oslo
Antisemittismen, jødene og samfunnsansvaret
08.10.24
The event at Litteraturhuset in Oslo brought together scholars, researchers, and community members to discuss the troubling rise in antisemitism following the October 7th Hamas attacks and the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian...
Oslo
Rosh Hashanah with Michael Gordon
28.09.24
Kos & Kaos's Rosh Hashanah celebration on September 28 was a blast! With approximately 45 of us gathered, the evening kicked off with an incredible, thought-provoking talk by Rabbi Gordon...
Oslo / Stockholm
Impactful Lectures and Dialogues on the Nova Festival Massacre in Stockholm and Oslo
28.8 & 29.8.24
The recent roundtable debates on the Nova Festival massacre, held in Stockholm and Oslo, were resounding successes, drawing over 200 participants in each city, including members of the Jewish community...
Litteraturhuset Oslo
CONFRONTING ANTISEMITISM -
26/05/2024
The seminar was a resounding success with over 30 participants, including numerous teenagers. Through reflection, bonding, and discussions, attendees gained a deeper understanding of the emerging wave of antisemitism, now...
Litteraturhuset Oslo
Beyond the Headlines: Unraveling the Complex Lexicon of the Israel-Palestine Conflict
03/04/2024
The "Round Table Discussion" event on the contentious and complex Palestine-Israel conflict, held at the Literature House in Oslo, was a night of intellectual rigor and insightful discourse. The theme...
Jewish Muesum in Oslo
Potluck Shabbos
Jan 19th 2024
Our Shabbat evening, attended by over 40 people, was a vibrant celebration of community and faith. The room was filled with the harmonious sound of traditional and contemporary songs, and...
Jewish Museum, Oslo
Hannuka Fest 2023
Nov 9th 2023
Our Hanukkah celebration was truly unforgettable, shining brightly in these dark days. With an interesting historical speech by Rabbi Michael, creatively crafted Hanukkah cocktails, and excellent latkes by chef Yossi...
Jewish Museum, Oslo
Potluck with the ADL
Nov 5th 2023
We are delighted to report that our community event, held in the spirit of solidarity and togetherness, was a resounding success. With over 60 attendees, the evening was a testament...
Jewish Museum, Oslo
Rosh Hashana Evening
Sept 16th 2023
An enchanting Rosh Hashanah evening unfolded at the Jewish Museum in Oslo, bringing together a diverse group of around 35 participants. This special event, curated in collaboration with JDc's Junction...
Community Center, Copenhagen
Why is it so difficult to talk about Israel ? Copenhagen
Aug 28th 2023
An intimate gathering unfolded in Copenhagen, drawing a select group of attendees to a cozy venue. Journalists Michael Hauser Tov and Nora Savosnick took center stage for a captivating discussion...
Hos Arne, Oslo
Why is it so difficult to talk about Israel ?
Aug 27th 2023
A highly successful event unfolded in Oslo, drawing 150 attendees and a substantial waiting list. Held in a beautifully decorated venue, the evening featured a captivating roundtable discussion on the...
DMT, Oslo
THINK TANK On ANTISEMITISM With ADL
June 6th 2023
The recent event in our Think Tank series was a triumph of shared ideas and unity, uniting 45 participants for an evening brimming with insightful discussion, robust debate, and camaraderie....
Hennie Onstad Museum Oslo
CHAGALL PRIVATE TOUR
May 5th 2023
In the captivating halls of the Hennie Onstad Museum of Arts in Oslo, around 30Kos & Koas art enthusiasts were treated to an exclusive private exhibition tour led by a...
Jewish Museum in Oslo
HANNUKAH WORKSHOP
Dec 17th 2022
Inspired by the Norwegian Christmas tradition of making home-made gifts right before the holidays, we decided to make a similar style Hanukah workshop. Around 50 young Jewish adults age 20-45...
Besseggen
HIKING TRIP
Sep 2nd -4th 2022
Incredible beautiful weekend with around 30 young adults from all the Nordic countries in Norway’s most iconic mountains Jotunheiem. The weekend started with Shabath Dinner at the Hotel Gjendesheim, followed...
Hafjell
SKI WEEKEND
Feb 7th -9th 2023
We gathered around 45 adults and 20 children for an unforgettable weekend at the Ilsetra Hotel in Hafjell. On Friday we had a cozy wine evening with Nati Aviv who...
Oslo
JØDEBOR 2.0 MILK & HONEY
Nov 25th 2019
Jødebord has been a tradition started a few years ago by Alex Levi, Charlotte Kahn, Esther Buckmann and Ted Aspelund. This year we were lucky enough to be able to...
Nusfjord, Lofoten
THE BIG DIP KOS & KAOS GOES FISHING
March 14th -17th 2019
On the weekend of 14.3 - 17.3, a group of Swedes and Norwegians met in Bodø and took the long trip to Nusfjord, Lofoten. A fantastic place awaited there, the...
Oslo
CHANNUKAH with ALMA REISEL
Dec 12th 2018
A wonderfully pleasant and important Channuka evening with Alma Reisel who came to talk about her work with Keshet UK. A Jewish congregation for LGTB+ in London. Delicious food was...
Oslo
KOS & KAOS IN THE SNOW
Feb 18th 2018
Ski day for children and adults at our chef Øistein's home. In collaboration with the Israeli embassy in Oslo, we had incredibly exciting guests from Israel's Arab sector who came...
Oslo
Fall evening with guest speaker Yigal Palmor
Nov 11th 2017
The 16 November, approximately 45 young adults met for a delicious dinner and a very interesting lecture by the Israeli spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Yigal Palmor. There...
Oslo
KOS & KOAS SKINGDAY
2017-02-12 00:00:00
Ski day for children and adults with barbecue and cool program for the children and very exciting lecture / conversation with Mosab Hassan Yousef author of the autobiography "Son of...
Oslo
KOS & KAOS SEMINAR
Sept 16th - 18th 2016
Two day seminar with lots of good food (by chef Øistein Abrahamsen) and interesting lectures. About 60 people slept over at the Hytta in Bærum from Friday to Saturday. There...