When the Jews of Great Britain celebrate next year the tercentenary of the return of the Jews to England in 1956 during the rule of Oliver Cromwell, after an exile of more than 350 years, pilgrimages to the grave of Rabbi Manassah Ben Israel may be a feature of the celebrations.
Ben Israel, who negotiated the re-entry of the Jews with Cromwell’s emissaries and led their return, is buried in the Sephardic cemetery at Ouderkerk, on the Amstel River, not far from Amsterdam.
Ben Israel, the son of Marranos, established the first Hebrew printing press in Holland. He was a friend and neighbor of the great Dutch painter, Rembrandt, who did a portrait of him and illustrated a book he wrote.
The Rembrandt illustrations of this book were the subject of a lecture this week by Prof. Hans Waal of Leyden State University.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
