Lekstraatsynagoge

In 1937, amidst the rising anxieties of a turbulent Europe, the Lekstraatsynagoge opened its doors. It became a sanctuary for the burgeoning Jewish community in Amsterdam’s Rivierenbuurt. The Lekstraatsynagoge stands as a poignant reminder of a community’s resilience. It was the last synagogue built in Amsterdam before the shadow of World War II descended. Its architect, Abraham Elzas, a student of the renowned Le Corbusier, imbued the Lekstraatsynagoge with the clean lines and functionalist principles of Nieuwe Zakelijkheid. This stark style, unusual for the Amsterdamse School prevalent in Plan-Zuid, mirrored the emotional landscape of the time. Elzas drew inspiration from a Yiddish novel, “Nisht in Golus und nisht in der Heim,” meaning “Not in exile, but not at home.” This sentiment resonated deeply with the many Jewish refugees who found a haven in the Rivierenbuurt. They appreciated its safe and welcoming atmosphere, yet it could never truly replace the homes they had lost. This sense of displacement is palpable in the synagogue’s austere, almost aloof, exterior. A poignant inscription graces its facade: “And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will not forsake my people Israel.” This verse, taken from 1 Kings 6:13, offered a promise of divine presence and protection in uncertain times. During World War II, the Lekstraatsynagoge served as a distribution point for yellow stars, a stark symbol of the persecution to come. It was later closed and used as a storage depot for the confiscated belongings of deported Jews. After the war, few of Amsterdam’s Jewish community returned. The old Jewish quarter was devastated, and many survivors settled in Amsterdam-Zuid, including the Rivierenbuurt. The Lekstraatsynagoge continued to serve the community until 1985. Dwindling numbers and financial constraints led to plans for its demolition. However, renting part of the building to the Verzetsmuseum (Resistance Museum) averted this fate. Today, while a portion is occupied by an auction house, the Lekstraatsynagoge continues to hold services, a testament to the enduring spirit of the Jewish community in Amsterdam.