Utrecht Synagogue - Utrecht , The Netherlands
Posted by: 
eikenboom
N 52° 05.131 E 005° 07.270
31U E 645333 N 5772672
synagogue in the center of Utrecht
Waymark Code: WM6B28
Location: Utrecht, Netherlands
Date Posted: 05/06/2009
Views: 42
The oldest data about Jews in Utrecht are from the Black Death period (1348-1350) when the Jews were accused of having brought this disease to Utrecht, leading to the extinction of Jews in Utrecht.
Early 15th century, Jews came to Utrecht again, living in an area between the Oudegracht and the Bakkerstraat.
In 1444 teh Jews were expelled from the city, but early 16th century they came back as traders. Again, they were all expelled from the city by decree of King Charles V.
In 1708 a number of Ashkenaze Jews gained Utrecht citizenship. In 1714 they tried to found a synagogue, but after an initial failure, the synagogue came a few years later. Very likely this synagogue was in the Plompetorengracht.
Annual markets were important and in the second half of the 18th century, a rabbi from Amsterdam came to Utrecht on these markets with a cart containing the inventory to equip a synagogue in the Boterstraat.
Finally, in 1788 Jews were officially permitted to live in Utrecht. On 21 December 1792, an old protestant church at the Springweg (then called Jufferstraat) was rented and purchased in 1796.
After WW II about 500 Jews returned to Utrecht. More than 1000 Utrecht Jews perished in the holocaust. The synagogue was set on fire in in 1941, but the fire could be extinguished quickly. After the deportations in 1943 the building was locked and sealed not to be reopend until 1945, when a number of items proved to be missing.
In 1982 the most beautiful part had to be sold off and currently the Jewish community is eager for money for a full restoration.
(source: website mentioned below)
Status: Active house of prayer
Denomination/Group: Other
Address:
Springweg 162
Utrecht, The Netherlands
3511 VZ
Relevant Web Site: [Web Link]
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