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By Agata Peleszuk | 04/11/2010
The Orthodox Ashkenazi community of Amsterdam celebrates next week its 375th anniversary. The jubilee celebrations, honored also by the Dutch Queen Beatrix, take place in the shadow of a growing anti-Semitism and struggle with multiculturalism
Netherlands, with old Sephardic traditions dating back to Spanish and Portuguese exodus in the end of 15th century, became a target of Ashkenazi Jews in 17th century. Running away from the waves of anti-Semitism in Eastern European countries, Jewish people found a safe haven in the then flourishing colonization empire. In those times Dutch Republic represented a colorful structure build of various cultures and religions. An opened Netherlands were a friendly environment for Jews who could reconnect with their Jewish identity and at the same time develop a feeling of belonging to the local non-homogenous society. During centuries, until the Second World War, Jewish population of Netherlands accounted for no more than 2.2 percent and therefore characterized with a substantial assimilation into the Dutch society.
The community severely damaged during the Holocaust (75 percent of Jewish population perished) remained small until today – nearly 45.000. Several Jewish communities represent all streams of Judaism, with reformed and Sephardic as the smallest ones. Today's vivid Jewish life, especially dynamic in Amsterdam, continues attracting more and more people in spite of alarming reports of the increase of anti-Semitism and anti-Israeli approach among Dutch. According to the recent estimates, since 2009 the number of anti-Semitic incidents grew 48 percent. The growth of intolerance and prejudice did not affect only Jewish community, but also targeted gay community in the country. Most observers blamed the Muslim community for the negative feelings against Jews, however some researchers pointed out an empirical correlation between Christianity and tendency for anti-Semitism within the Dutch society (Konig, Eisinga, Scheepers, 2000). The worrying news were accompanied by the media reports from June 2010 about plans of the Amsterdam police to disguise officers as decoy Orthodox Jews in order to better track perpetrators of anti-Semitic assaults. In spite of a visible growth of hate speech, including “Heil Hitler” shouts during this year's Holocaust remembrance ceremony at the form concentration camp in Vucht, the leader of Ashkenazi Jewry of Holland does not explicitly accuses Dutch of anti-Semitism. “On the way to synagogue during the week, youngsters will yell “Jew” at you. However, it should not be exaggerated. Many of the Dutch are upset by it. When paint was thrown at the door of a synagogue, we were deluged with flowers, fruit baskets and offers to pay for the restoration.” – said the Chief Rabbi of Netherlands Benjamin Jacobs in the interview for “Israel National News”.
The opinion of Rabbi Jacobs might be the right approach to an undeniable problem of prejudice against Jews. Speaking of the recent verbal assault during the Holocaust memorial ceremony he added: “(…) In a certain way I was pleased it happened as it was an important lesson for those present. We continued the memorial service as if nothing happened but the unspoken message was that we should be cognizant to the continuing threat of anti-Semitism. Nevertheless, we should carry on with our lives and not let the anti-Semites win”. In this spirit the Amsterdam Jews will celebrate the 375th anniversary of the institutionalized Ashkenazi community.
