Willem-Alexander viert jubileum Portugese Synagoge Amsterdam mee

On Sunday, September 7, King Willem-Alexander attended the celebration of the 350th anniversary of the Portuguese Synagogue in Amsterdam. Wearing a kippah, the King took part in the service, during which prayers were said not only for the health of the King and Queen but also – according to tradition – for the State of Israel and its army. The speeches recalled earlier visits by Queen Juliana and Prince Bernhard, as well as Princess Beatrix, highlighting the longstanding ties between the Dutch Royal House and the Jewish community in the Netherlands. After the service, the King spoke with the Chief Rabbi, the rabbi, and members of the Portuguese-Israelite community about the rich history of the synagogue, and he engaged with young people about the community’s future. The jubilee year also features special events, including a candlelight concert and a summer school with lectures on key figures in Amsterdam’s Jewish history. Inaugurated in 1675, the Portuguese Synagogue was the largest synagogue in the world in the 17th century. Its original interior remains intact, without electricity or heating, illuminated solely by hundreds of candles. This monument continues to stand as a living symbol of freedom, tradition, and connection. © RoyalTV