In face of rising antisemitism, Amsterdam’s Portugese synagogue celebrates 350 years

King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands joined members of the Portuguese Jewish community on Sunday to celebrate the 350th anniversary of the Portuguese Synagogue in Amsterdam.

In the face of rising antisemitism in the country, the king stood as synagogue leaders said the prayers for the State of Israel, Israel Defense Forces soldiers, and the hostages held by Hamas.

After the ceremony, he spoke with members of the Jewish community about the history of the community and the synagogue. He also met with young people to discuss the community’s future.

A number of musical compositions were performed at the event, including a new version of the liturgical song “Adon Olam”.

The Portuguese Synagogue, also known as the Esnoga, is one of the most important and iconic Jewish landmarks in Europe. Opened in 1675 by Sephardic Jews who had fled persecution in Portugal and Spain during the Inquisition, it was the largest synagogue in the world at the time, reflecting the prominence and prosperity of Amsterdam’s Jewish community in the 17th century.

Designed by architect Elias Bouman, the synagogue is built in the style of a large classical hall. It is still in use by the local community, and has retained its original interior, preserved in full.

To this day, it has no electricity or heating. It is illuminated only by its high arched windows and hundreds of candles in brass chandeliers, and heated only by the warmth of those inside.

Earlier in September, the synagogue commemorated its anniversary with a candlelight concert. A lecture series is being held this week, with discussions about such historical figures as the synagogue’s founder, Rabbi Isaac Aboab da Fonseca, and Samuel Sarphati, a Dutch Jewish physician, philanthropist, and urban planner who this year was named the greatest Amsterdammer of all time.

The celebration comes at a fraught time for the Netherlands’ estimated 35,000 Jews, with antisemitism on the rise since Hamas launched its war with Israel on October 7, 2023. A record 421 antisemitic incidents were documented in the Netherlands in 2024, an 11 percent rise over the previous all-time high, the Center for Information and Documentation on Israel (CIDI), a Dutch Jewish watchdog group, said in April.

An attack on Israeli soccer fans in Amsterdam last November was seen as particularly traumatizing for the community.

In an analysis of the Dutch community, the London-based Institute for Jewish Policy Research (JPR) said in January that the Jewish community is growing slightly, due solely to the migration of Israelis to the country. Otherwise, it would be in a state of decline.