Amsterdam's famous Sephardic Synagogue was dedicated in 1675 and accommodated 2,000 worshipers. The congregation consisted of descendent of Iberian Jews and Marranos. The synagogue was designed by Elias Bouman, a Christian contractor who had worked on the Grote Sjoel Synagogue. The Synagogue was vandalized during World War II, but was restored after the war. Today, the synagogue is seldom used due to the physical condition and expense of heating.
On September 9, 1970, Israel issued five stamps commemorating five of the world's famous synagogues. The first day cover below features the Sephardic Synagogue.
The below postcard depicts the interior of the Sephardic Synagogue.
The postcard below depicts Emanuel De Witte's (1617-1692) painting of the interior of the Sephardic Synagogue.
Carole Herselle Krinsky, Synagogues of Europe, P.387-94
Copyright © 1998-99 Edward Victor
