The head of Oslo’s Jewish community has resigned and left the community amid internal allegations and a prolonged dispute that has shaken the group of about 700 members.
Marius Garder announced his immediate resignation as chairman of the board of the Jewish community in Oslo (DMT), a position he assumed in November 2024 after previously serving as deputy chairman and treasurer. In a letter to members, he said he was stepping down “effective immediately” and also ending his membership in the community.
The resignation follows nearly a year of internal tensions. Last year, anonymous members sent a sharply worded letter to the community leadership raising a series of allegations against Garder, including questions about details he provided regarding his education and his Jewish background. The letter also cast doubt on the existence of a doctoral degree he had claimed.
The dispute escalated after Norwegian media outlet iNyheter contacted Garder seeking a response and documentation. In an initial reply, he declined to directly address the claims, describing the matter as a “sensitive internal conflict” within the community.
Shortly afterward, Garder sent a letter to community members announcing his resignation, while sharply criticizing individuals within the community. He said that since May 2025 he had been the target of a “continuous campaign” by several members, a staffer and others. He alleged that efforts to involve the media were intended to bring “dirty laundry” into the open and portray him as unfit for the role.
Garder suggested that “rumors and falsehoods” about him may surface but said those who know him “know better.”
In a message to members, the administrator of the community’s private Facebook group confirmed the resignation and said the development had surprised many. He noted that concerns about the situation had circulated within the community for some time.
“The fact that the issue has apparently reached the media makes the situation even more sensitive and serious for the entire community,” he wrote, calling for a transparent and orderly process to rebuild trust.
He also said he had warned Garder about possible efforts to harm him after attempts were made to publish anonymous posts in the group. According to the administrator, Garder later accused him of being behind the campaign, based on what he described as “reliable sources.”
The administrator urged members to remain calm and avoid spreading rumors, warning that those doing so may be acting out of their own agendas rather than in the interest of the community.