Amsterdam Jewish neighborhood Site Home - What's New? -Feedback - About Jack-  Travel/Art Links

Amsterdam

Amsterdam-Portuguese synagogue- Jewish Museum

Introduction

Amsterdam visit (2)

Jewish area-Jewish history-Nieuwmarkt

Jewish area-Zuiderkerk-Diamond history

Jewish area- Rembrandt
house-Waterlooplein

Jewish Portuguese
Synagogue-Jewish
museum

Amsterdam and Jews

Kroller Muller Museum

Jews at Synagogue (Sketch Rembrandt)

On Mr. Vissersplein, in the centre of the square, is the splendid Portugees Israelitische Synagoge (Portuguese synagogue). Built in 1675, it survived WWII and was then restored in the 1950’s. Its interior, with a lofty barrel-vaulted roof, was intended by its architect, Elias Bouman, to echo that of the Tempe of Solomon. The huge space is lit by scores of arched windows and original 17th century brass chandeliers. Nothing has changed since centuries. Notice the monumental “hechal” (nook where the Torah is stored), An exemplary of  “Saint History” by Manassé ben Israel, illustrated by Rembrandt who was his friend.

Jewish marriage

But did you know that anecdote why it is called Portuguese synagogue? In 1492 Jews had to flee inquisition from Spain. They thought they would be secure in Portugal, but, bad luck, they were compelled to convert. Hundred years later, some of their descendants, wanting to live as Jews, looked for shelter in Amsterdam, known for its tolerance. Bad luck again!! The Netherlands were at war with Spain! So the Jews preferred to say they were from Portuguese origin. Got the picture?
Signposted off the square, the Joods Historisch Museum (Jewish Historical Museum) moved to this site in 1987, previously housed in the Waag, on Nieuwmarkt. Not many cities in the world can brag about their Jewish museums as this one!
The complex of buildings comprises four Ashkenazi synagogues (the Ashkenazim and Sephardim got not along so good, hence they demanded separate places of worship). Less fortunate than the Portuguese synagogue, they were burnt and looted by the German philanthropists.
The interiors have been painstakingly reconstructed. The oldest --the Great Synagogue built in 1671 – is the earliest recognizable synagogue in Western Europe. Until the Ashkenazi settled in tolerant Amsterdam, Jews had had to worship in clandestine synagogues. The opening of the Great synagogue was followed by the building of the “Obbene Shul” (Upstairs Synagogue) in 1685, the Dritt Shul (Third Synagogue) 15 years later and the Nieuwe Shul (New Synagogue) in 1752.
To see the art objects in their full glory, CLICK on the small pictures.

Within, religious objects and artworks include the marvellous marble ark of the Great Synagogue, elaborate silverware, gorgeously embroidered prayer shawls. All is very bright thanks to large glass-cases. Upstairs, an exhibition outlines the role played by the Jewish community in the development of Amsterdam’s trade and industry. A grimmer note is struck by the exhibition downstairs, showing false identification papers and ration cards used in the struggle to evade capture by the nazis.
As you exit the Synagogue, turn left and follow the narrow lane, which would eventually lead you to Waterlooplein. You turn left before then to reach Waterlooplein metro station and the end of this walk.