This year marks the 15th edition of the annual Open Jewish Houses program, whereby ordinary buildings in the Netherlands where Jews lived and/or worked before, during, and after the Holocaust become personalized teaching and commemorative centers.
This year, the program runs from April 25 to May 5. Houses, stores, schools and other buildings in locations around the Netherlands will open their doors to visitors, who can enter for free. Also included are “Houses of Resistance” — places related to anti-Nazi resistance fighters.
Click HERE and scroll down for an interactive map that shows all the locations.
The idea, writes Amsterdam Now, is not “to hang history in a museum gallery, but to tell it in the place where it took place.”
Former residents, neighbors, descendants and historians tell on the spot the stories of Jewish families who once lived or worked there.
In the 15th edition, there is an extra emphasis on resistance: in addition to the Jewish houses, Houses of Resistance participate – places associated with non-Jewish resistance fighters who were active during the war.
Watch a video (auto dubbed in English) about the program:
The project’s imain organizer is the Jewish Cultural Quarter, which encompasses the Jewish Museum and the Holocaust Museum, working with local partners.
From April 25 to May 4, 2026, some two hundred homes, shops and schools will open their doors to reflect on the Jews who once lived and worked in these locations.
In living rooms, in the attic, behind counters and between sliding doors, you will meet victims, survivors and resistance fighters of the Second World War. Who were they? How did they live? Where was the hiding place? And what has become of them?
With personal stories, Open Jewish Houses makes the consequences of the Second World War tangible.
Watch a video (auto dubbed in English) about the Houses of Resistance part of the program:
The organizers encourage people to visit more than one location.
Each meeting starts by mentioning the names of the people who are commemorated at the address. The current resident, a descendant or specialist tells their life story in 15 to 20 minutes. Sometimes with photos, sometimes with music.
Storytellers are free to organize their own meeting, but personal memories are central to each meeting. Not only the war story, but also pre- and post-war life is discussed. Afterwards you can ask questions.
A meeting lasts a maximum of 45 minutes, so that you can get to the next address on time.
Read about it on the JCK web site
Read about the project in Amsterdam Now