Synagogue in Harderwijk

The Synagogue in Harderwijk is an Ashkenazi synagogue built in 1839-1840. Sold in the 1940s, this brick building now serves as a cultural centre.

About this building

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Key Features

  • Architecture

Other nearby buildings

By Jan dijkstra (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Synagogue in Elburg

The northern façade of the synagogue is positioned along the Graaf Hendriksteeg but the building can be accessed via the Jufferenstraat. A Neo-Classical brick gate can be found at the entrance of the terrain of the synagogue. It contains a Hebrew inscription of Psalm 55:15 and dates back to 1855. The synagogue, which was consecrated in the same year, was situated in a redeveloped sixteenth-century private residence. During this redevelopment, the building was provided with new pointed arched windows and a women's gallery along one side of the wall. The first floor of the building was opened up in order to create a larger assembly hall. The Torah ark (dated ca. 1799) was taken from the former synagogue in Arnhem, located at the Betincksteeg. After the Second World War, the Jewish community of Elburg merged with Apeldoorn in the year 1947. The Torah ark and bimah were subsequently relocated to the synagogue in Winterswijk. A Hanukah menorah of the original synagogue can be found in the municipality building of Elburg. The building is currently used for cultural activities.

Willy Lindwer

Synagogue in Amersfoort

The synagogue of Amersfoort which was dedicated in 1727 was a rectangular shaped building located behind a private home. The original synagogue was used by both the Ashkenazi and Sephardic communities. The plans for the current synagogue were developed by the architect B. Ruitenberg. The design was inspired by the German neoclassical synagogue in Kleef which dates back to 1821. Unlike the rounded arch windows found in the example of Kleef, the synagogue of Amersfoort received pointed lancet windows and a round apse located at the eastern end. The neoclassical Torah ark dates back to 1843 and contains the Hebrew dates (5)487 and (5)611, corresponding to the year 1727 and 1843. The women's gallery is located at the opposite side of the Torah Ark. The synagogue was renovated in 1926/27 by the architect H. Elte Phzn. during which the art deco stained glass windows were installed. After a subsequent renovation by the architect A. Oznowicz the building became once again used as a synagogue in 1949. Oznowicz was also responsible for the design of the furniture including the bimah and railings of the Torah Ark. The architect P. Wassink tried to restore the original color palette during a renovation in 1993/94. After an excavation in 1993 of a nearby house located behind the synagogue, the original mikveh was discovered.

© Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0; Basvb)

Synagogue in Kampen

The Synagogue in Kampen is an Ashkenazi synagogue completed in 1847 by architect N. Plomp. In use until WWII, this brick synagogue in the Neo-Classical style now serves as a museum.
The front façade contains four Tuscan pilasters, flanking the main entrance. The triangular pediment which includes a central tondo window covers the entire width of the façade. The Torah ark was originally furnished in a Neo-Gothic style. During the Second World War, the interior was destroyed but the building itself remained relatively unscathed. The Jewish community of Kampen ceased to exist in the year 1947 after which the building was sold and used as storage space and garage. In 1981, the building was bought by the city of Kampen and subsequently restored and renovated by R. G. Busser (Monumentenzorg) in 1983/84. The frieze above the main entrance includes a Hebrew inscription referring to Isaiah 56:7. The pilaster on the left side of the entrance door contains a circular commemorative plaque of 34 Jews of the community in Kampen who died during the war in the concentration camps. After Busser's renovation of the former synagogue was completed, the building was redeveloped as an exhibition space.