History

The first jews settled in Alkmaar around 1613. Alkmaar was one of the first places in Holland where jews were free to settle and practice their religion. Alkmaar has an unique bond with the jewish community.

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History of the Synagoge

The first 'sjoel' service in Alkmaar takes place in 1744; the service is in a house at the Paternosterstraat called: 'Voorbij ‘t Hoge Huis'.
After that there are several other 'sjoel' services in five different houses in Alkmaar.

In 1792 the Jewish community consists of 17 families and they decide to fit up a house as a synagogue at the southern side of the 'Laat' close to the 'Bloem straat'.

The Jewish community bought this house and agreed with the 17 families that together 4 guilders had to be paid, so that the debt could be paid.
This was quite a heavy burden for 17 families.
In 1811, 81 Jewish families lived in Alkmaar.

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Purchase Synagogue Hofstraat

In 1808 the building in the Hofstraat was purchased and the building in the Bloemstraat, that was in a very bad state, was sold.

The building in the Hofstraat was fitted up as synagogue and gradually the community expanded.
In 1826 a new façade was build and the synagogue was broadend by a barrel-vault and a gallery for women.
The building got the exterior that it still has today. In the top façade was the Hebrew text of the prophet Haggai:

 

"The glory of this last house will be greater than the first..."

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Building

This building is unique for the province North Holland and the city Alkmaar. There is room for services a 'cheider' (school for jewish children where jewish lessons are given) a house for the rabbi and a 'mikwe' (ritual bath).
Until 5th March 1942 the 'sjoel' services were given by rabbi De Wolff. After that it was finished definitively; the jews were deported and killed; the synagogue was robbed.

The building was unoccupied for 10 years. The synagogue was sold by N.I.K. to the Union of Baptists 15th November 1952. From that moment until now the building is used by the Union of the Baptists.

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History Foundation Alkmaar Synagogue

The foundation started 2nd July 1997. The goal of the foundation is to establish the building into a synagogue again.

It should become a multifunctional jewish centre with following options for use:

* Jewish festivities like:
   Rosj Hasjana, Jom Kippoer,
   Soekot, Simcha Tora,
   Chanoeka, Poerim & Pesach
* Jewish lessons for young and old
* Kosjer meals on sjabbat
* Lectures
* Telling stories
* Jewish cinema
* Maintenance of a Jewish library
* Jewish bridgeclub
* Jewish pub
* Let out to other Jewish organizations
* Rehabilitation of the synagogue so that
   sjoelservices can be held again.

Museum

The the summer time the building can be used as Jewish Historical Centre Alkmaar. Visitors can be informed about Jewish traditions, second world war and historical information.

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Committee of Recommendation

The Foundation has a beautiful committee of recommendation:

Mr. Y. Gal, Ambassador of Israel in the Netherlands
Mr. H.C.L.J.L. Borghouts, Queen’s Commissioner in North Holland
Mrs. M. van Rossen, Mayor of Alkmaar
Mr. Drs. W.K. Hoekzema, Mayor of Den Helder
Mr. H. Smit, Mayor of Medemblik
Mr. R. Vreeman, Mayor of Zaanstad
Rabbi L. Lilliënthal

In these cities used to be synagogues and looking at their geographical situation 'North of the Noordzeekanaal' it is clear that the Alkmaar synagogue will fill up a regional function.

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Regional Function

It is clear that the Alkmaar synagogue will fill up a regional function.
At the moment the only synagogue for this region is in Amsterdam.

There are no synagogues left in the Northern part of the North-Netherlands.

The foundation originates from Chanah.

Chanah is a Jewish foundation that exists 7 years. This foundation organizes Jewish festivities,lectures, excursions sjabat meals and courses.
Chanah has grown that much that they are depending on community centres and there is a strong need of an own Jewish centre.

The members of Chanah exists at the moment of 110 families.
Isn’t it a wonderful idea to give the former synagogue its jewish destination again and to have our own jewish house?
With this thought the Foundation of the Alkmaar Synagogue was founded.

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The Board of the Foundation Alkmaar Synagoge

Loes Citroen, Chairman
Drs. Arnold Troostwijk, Secretary
Chava Fernandes, Treasurer
Sjossanna Reisenstadt, Board Member
Sugette Hupkens, Board Member
Professor Heertje, Advisor

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Negotiations with the Baptists

The foundation has had many positive conversations with the Committee Housing of the Baptists and this resulted that the Baptists want to sell the building to the foundation provided that they get another adequate building.
The Baptists also want to sell the building without extra costs.

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Alkmaar 750 Years &

Celebration of 400 years of free settlement
for the Jewish Community

The history of the Jewish community in Alkmaar starts in the beginning of the 17th century. A number of Portuguese Jews from Amsterdam, purchased a small cemetery in Groet a small village in the neighbourhood of Alkmaar.
Two years later Alkmaar, as first city in Holland, opened the doors for Jews and the municipality allowed free settlement for Jews.

The Jews received protection, safety and freedom of religion.
In1744 the Jews in Alkmaar obtained the right for divine worship in public.

Sunday 9th May 2004 this historical fact was celebrated in the Synagogue in the Hofstraat and a more extended celebration of invitees in the townhall in Alkmaar. One dwelled on the minority groups in the Netherlands and the Jews in particularly.

More information about Alkmaar 750 years here.

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Activities

     Jewish basis formed with approx. 73 families.
     Many discussions with Baptists.
     Contact with synagogues in Sliedrecht, Tilburg, Middelburg and Delft.
     Discussions with Mayor Bandell.
     Discussions with Christian churches in and around Alkmaar.
     Possible funding.
     Committee of recommendation founded.
     Orientated discussions with rebbies.
     Put up a plan of enterprise by the "Hoge School Alkmaar" section economy.
     Petition to the "Commissie Dolman 2nd Worldwar assets" (turned down).
     Society of friends founded; already ca. 100 friends.
     Sent press reports.
     Interviews with newspapers.
     Interviews with the radio and television.
     Taxation of the building by real estate agency Vos.
     Discussion with the "Provincie Noord Holland" in Haarlem.
     Development of website.
     Introduced to the political parties in Alkmaar.
     Evenings for supporters in the former 'sjoel' in Alkmaar.
     Started the Adopt a stone principle.

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