Amsterdam and its affection for the Jewish community
Amsterdam played an important role in World War II, a fact that is forgotten as it has been more than 50 years since we had a World War. As a visitor staying in Amsterdam hotels, to really get a feel for the Dutch, you should spend some time learning about the Jewish populations in Amsterdam. The city helped a large number of Jews who were hiding from the Nazis. Some were hidden; others were helped to leave the country.
One of the most famous sites from this era is the Anne Frank House at 263 Prizengracht. This was the site of Anne’s father’s office and it was here in the attic that the family hid for over two years, finally being caught shortly before the war ended. The building became a museum dedicated to Anne and her family and the brave people who helped hide them for more than two years. The tour will take you through every room in the house, including the hidden staircase and the small rooms that this family was forced to live in for two years. It gives you a real sense of how life is shortened by war and how pointless it can be.
Across the street from the Anne Frank House is the Portuguese Jewish Temple. This temple is open to visitors daily and offers a glimpse into the life of the Portuguese Jewish population and how they worshipped. Before World War II, Amsterdam had one of the largest populations of Jews in the world. The city was one of the few places in the world where Catholicism was outlawed and the Jewish religion was embraced.
To find out more about the life of the Jewish people in Amsterdam and about the Jewish religion in general, a visit to the Jewish Historical Museum is recommended. Located at 1 Nieuwe Amstelstraat, this site focuses on the long history of the Jewish population in the Netherlands and the reasons why the Jewish people prospered in Amsterdam. It touches on the Holocaust, but that is not the focus of this museum. Anyone wishing to increase their knowledge of the Jewish religion or the Jewish people will benefit from a tour here. Visitors with a Jewish background may find the museum glib in parts, but will leave proud of their heritage.
To learn more about Amsterdam’s role during World War II, a visit to the Resistance Museum dedicated to the Dutch Resistance Movement during the war is recommended. This is not a place to bring children due to the theme, but it is for anyone who wants to get a real sense of what it was like to live under a wartime occupation. The museum features exhibits in both Dutch and English and follows a timeline from the beginning of the war to its end. The screens are interactive; even a novice historian will learn here. Those who are deeply interested in World War II or the Holocaust will not be disappointed either. It is amazing what the Dutch were able to accomplish despite being under threat of torture and death. Returning to your Amsterdam hotels, you will never forget the Dutch. I wonder if today’s generations would be able to do so much.
