The Portuguese Synagogue in Amsterdam

Jan Veenhuyzen

1647

This image depicts the interior of the synagogue that served the Beth Israel congregation in Amsterdam. Before 1639, there were three Sephardic congregations in Amsterdam: Beth Jacob (founded possibly in 1602); Neve Shalom (1608 to 1612); and Beth Israel (1618). In 1639, the three were unified, as the Talmud Torah community, and this synagogue was officially recognized as their house of worship. It was visited by the prince of Orange, together with Henrietta Maria, the queen of England, in 1642. It was later replaced by the famous Esnoga, built in 1670.

Print of building interior with central podium, columns, and second floor balcony.

Credits

Jan Veenhuysen (attrib.), Interieur van de Portugese Synagoge aan de Houtgracht te Amsterdam, 1664. Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam.

Published in: The Posen Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization, vol. 5.

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Photograph of building exterior with five columns.
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Related Guide

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Synagogues built in Europe in the age of Emancipation had somewhat contradictory goals. On the one hand, they were to articulate a proud Jewishness, which by definition meant a distinctive style. On the other hand, they wanted to announce that they were deeply embedded in the European cityscape.

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Creator Bio

Jan Veenhuyzen

1625–1693

Jan Veenhuyzen was an engraver active in Amsterdam in the mid- to late seventeenth century.

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