The Netherlands’ Crown Prince Willem-Alexander took part in the formal launch of the Jewish Cultural Quarter in Amsterdam, a concept that joins four key Jewish sites located in the heart of the city’s historic Jewish district — the Jewish Historical Museum (which includes the important Etz Haim library), the JHM’s Children’s Museum, the Portuguese Synagogue, and the former Hollandsche Schouwburg theatre, which was turned into a detention center in 1942 and is now a war memorial. .
JTA reports that several hundred people attended the dedication ceremony on Tuesday, the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the Jewish Historical Museum.
“Combining forces and presenting themselves as one Jewish Cultural Quarter has allowed for new possibilities with regard to the collections and monuments,” the Dutch Royal House said in statement. These possibilities include “exhibitions, digitalization, research, education and the holding of public events.”
View pictures of the ceremony HERE
Details of the Jewish Cultural Quarter, from the Jewish Historical Museum web site:
Jewish Historical Museum
The Jewish Historical Museum (JHM) is a modern museum of Jewish heritage housed in four monumental synagogues near Waterlooplein, in the heart of the Jewish quarter. Three permanent exhibitions present the history and culture of the Jewish people in the Netherlands. With paintings, drawings, artifacts, photographs, films, and modern 3D displays, the museum offers a genuine multimedia experience for both young and old. In addition to the three permanent exhibitions, the JHM always offers one or two temporary attractions, as well as its Children’s Museum.
JHM Children’s Museum
The JHM Children’s Museum is the home of the Jewish Hollander family, who will warmly welcome you into their home. The Hollanders are all enthusiastic about the Jewish tradition, and they each approach it in their own way: some seriously and some with humour. And you’ll find all sorts of fun things to do there: braiding bread in the kitchen, learning Hebrew in the study, or making music together in the music room. A friend of the family, Max the Matzo, shows the way and turns every visit into a party!
Portuguese Synagogue
Directly opposite the Jewish Historical Museum in the colossal concealed rectangular form of the magnificent Portuguese Synagogue, erected in 1675. In seventeenth-century Amsterdam, synagogues did not have to be entirely hidden, but the entrance was not supposed to attract attention. There are therefore several annexes around the enormous house of prayer to hide the doors from view. The synagogue remains a somewhat mysterious building for many visitors. Once inside, they are rewarded with the stunning beauty of a synagogue that is still in use, with a fully intact seventeenth-century interior.
Hollandsche Schouwburg
The Hollandsche Schouwburg (Dutch Theatre) is also within a stone’s throw of the museum. During the Second World War, Jews were rounded up into this building before being deported to concentration camps. Thousands of people were held there, awaiting an unknown fate – some for several hours, other for weeks. In honor of their memory, a monument and memorial room have now been installed in the theatre. A permanent exhibition on the first floor describes the persecution of the Jews between 1940 and 1945.
1 comment on ““Jewish Cultural Quarter” Launched in Amsterdam”
This is such exciting news for the Jewish community of Amsterdam and for all Dutch people no matter what their faith as it recognises the importance and profound contributions that Dutch Jewish people have made to their treasured nation.
My dream in the future is to see the reconstruction of the synagogue of Rotterdam which tragically was destroyed by bombing in world war two.
Well done Netherlands!