Portuguese Synagogue Amsterdam
Portuguese Synagogue Amsterdam – Olive tree in foreground.
Glorious landmark
The Portuguese Synagogue of Amsterdam
is a glorious landmark of the city’s Jewish past and present, located in an area that once was bustling with Jewish life and culture.
The synagogue was opened in 1675
by a community of Portuguese Jews
who had escaped the Inquisition and found safety and freedom of Jewish religious worship in 17th century Amsterdam. Built over 3.5 centuries ago, it has stood the test of time and even remained intact throughout 5 years of Nazi occupation.
Portuguese Synagogue Amsterdam’s facade
with Hebrew inscription –
tourguide historian Naomi Koopmans in the foreground.
View of
Portuguese Synagogue Amsterdam
on the right and
kosher meat hall on the left
in 17th century.
Extraordinary details
On her Jewish Amsterdam Tour, tourguide historian Naomi Koopmans will illustrate extensively many of the Amsterdam Portuguese Synagogue’s extraordinary details.
Hebrew inscription
The Synagogue’s monumental facade bears, against a beautiful celestial blue backdrop,
a Hebrew inscription, which includes
Psalm 5 verse 8:
ואני ברב חסדך אבוא ביתך
Which means:
But as for me, in the abundance of Thy loving kindness will I come into Thy house.
Portuguese Synagogue Amsterdam – monumental facade
with Hebrew inscription against celestial blue backdrop.
17th century interior
Also, the synagogue’s 17th century interior has been preserved in its entirety to this very day.
Interior of Portuguese Synagogue Amsterdam
in its authentic 17th state
with tourguide historian Naomi Koopmans
in the foreground.
Plan
A well kept plan of the synagogue’s interior, seen from above, dates to the Hebrew year 5435, which corresponds to 1675. The plan features the synagogue’s major and minor pillars, the ark, the bima, the pews for the congregants and even the elevated seats for the members of the board, the ma’amad.
17th century plan (on the right) of the
Amsterdam Portuguese Synagogue
which features its interior
in the exact same state as today.
Scale model
Portuguese Synagogue of Amsterdam
with unique view of its roof.
Amsterdam’s oldest functioning synagogue
Of all the synagogues that operate
in Amsterdam, the Portuguese Synagogue
is the oldest.
Continuity in practice
An 1896 cantorial manual, written by cantor Brandon, as part of a century long sequence of similar cantorial notes, is studied by the synagogue’s cantor in preparation of an upcoming Jewish holiday.
“By using this manual, the cantor ensures no ritual detail is omitted and the tradition as a whole is passed down to the next generation. The continuity in practice is vital for the longevity of this unique Amsterdam Portuguese Jewish tradition”,
says Naomi Koopmans.
1896 cantorial manual
used to this day by cantor
Portuguese Synagogue Amsterdam
in preparation of an upcoming Jewish holiday.
Portuguese Synagogue Amsterdam –
Anterior buttresses that complete the shrine’s resemblance
to the destroyed Jerusalem Temple.
Mezuzah on the gatepost of the Portuguese Synagogue Amsterdam. Inside this small cylindrical case is a piece of parchment
inscribed with the Biblical proclamation of monotheism
and the commandment to use the Mezuzah.