Tour Global Jewish Life: Amsterdam

Tour Global Jewish Life: Amsterdam

Thursday at 12:00pm PDT

Join Nachshon Rodrigues Pereira – one of the few original Portuguese Jews left in Amsterdam – for a vivid account of Amsterdam’s Jewish community today and its remarkable past from the 17th century, when the city was the epicenter of Jewish life in Europe. In the 1600s, Amsterdam stood out as one of the few European cities that offered a significant yet limited freedom of expression, enabling a rich tapestry of Jewish history to unfold. The city boasted unparalleled Jewish education, harbored renowned Rabbis, and hosted the world's largest synagogue.  

Additionally, Amsterdam’s Jews profoundly influenced the Dutch economy, infrastructure, and language during this time. We will examine how this community took shape as a response to the Spanish Inquisition and how it, in turn, left an indelible mark on its surroundings. We will also reflect upon the immense losses suffered during World War II, exemplified by the hidden refuge of Anne Frank and her family in the secret annex, and contemplate what remains of this historic community today. 

Nachshon Rodrigues Pereira is the community leader and Chazzan (Cantor)of the Bendigamos community in Amsterdam. His family has been part of the Portuguese Jewish community of the Netherlands for four centuries. After studying political science and a short political career, he decided he wants to spend most of his time teaching and rebuilding the Jewish community in Amsterdam. The community is still suffering greatly from the WWII atrocities. Today, he works for the Jewish Seminary of Amsterdam, teaches many bar-mitzvah students, writes for a Jewish news website and organizes Jewish concerts.