This city’s 300-year-old Sephardic Esnoga — the Ladino word for synagogue — was rededicated this week after extensive restoration, in a ceremony attended by some 800 invited guests, including Prince Claus, the husband of Queen Beatrix of Holland.
The restoration took 2 1/2 years and cost some $5 million.
The Amsterdam Sephardic congregation, which today is the only Sephardic congregation still existing in the Netherlands, has only some 600 members. They were unable to raise the necessary funds by themselves.
The restoration was made possible by gifts from the Prince Bernhard Fund and other Dutch institutions.
The Society of Friends of the Esnoga enabled donors to adopt parts of the building ranging from roof tiles to portions of the walls and lamps.
The total sum for the restoration has yet to be collected.
The Esnoga was built in the 17th century to replace earlier, smaller Sephardic synagogues in Amsterdam.
In contrast to other Dutch synagogues, the Esnoga did not suffer during the World War II German occupation since it was declared a protected monument.
The building has also never been damaged by heating, since the building has never had any heating, nor electricity for that matter.
The Esnoga is still lit by candles. During the cold winter months, the congregation meets in a small annex.
At the rededication ceremony, Prince Claus unveiled a tablet showing the names of the more generous donors.
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