Susanne Sznajderman-Rytz, president of WIZO Sweden, will receive one of Sweden’s highest royal honors when she is awarded H.M. The King’s Medal at the Royal Palace in Stockholm on September 9.
The official citation states that Sznajderman-Rytz is being recognized for her “significant contributions to the minority language Yiddish,” a distinction tied to decades of advocacy on behalf of Jewish cultural preservation in Sweden.
Sznajderman-Rytz was a leading figure in efforts to secure official recognition for Yiddish as one of Sweden’s national minority languages. The campaign ultimately succeeded, granting the language legal status and opening the door to government funding and institutional support for its preservation and development.
The recognition is widely viewed as a milestone for Sweden’s Jewish community, particularly at a time when concerns about antisemitism are growing across Europe.
Advocates say official support for Yiddish helps safeguard an important component of Jewish cultural heritage and reinforces the historic presence of Jewish life in Sweden.
WIZO celebrated 100 years of international activity
Sznajderman-Rytz has long been active in Jewish communal and Zionist organizations and currently serves as president of WIZO Sweden. Her royal honor comes less than two years after the organization marked its centenary, celebrating 100 years of activity within the international WIZO movement.
The medal will be presented by King Carl XVI Gustaf during a ceremony at the Royal Palace.