Apologies for the lack of posts over the last week or two. Having finally managed some time off at the end of a very busy year I’ve been taking the chance to really unwind. I journeyed to Amsterdam where I had a blissful time over New Year. The fireworks at midnight last night were truly breathtaking.
I’ll be back on normal posting form soon. Meantime, here’s a photograph I took of the beautiful Portuguese Synagogue in Amsterdam yesterday. If you’ve never visited I strongly recommend you do so.
DF
How was security at Schipol Airport? Stepped up?
1 January 2010 at 6:57 PM
Israelinurse
Hope you had a great, and well-deserved, holiday.
2 January 2010 at 10:27 AM
Chas Newkey-Burden
Thank you Israelinurse. I did indeed.
DF, I was surprised at how laid back the security was at Schipol. I travel to Amsterdam a few times a year and it is always relaxed at the airport. I wondered if after the Detroit incident it might be tighter, but no. I’m thinking of doing my next Jewish News column around an air travel security theme.
2 January 2010 at 7:28 PM
Duvid Crockett, King of DeLancey Street
Happy New Year. Nice photo. Looks very similar to the Spanish and Portuguese synagogue at Bevis Marks in the City of London; even down to the candelabras with real candles.
3 January 2010 at 12:55 AM
Israelinurse
Duvid – there probably is an influence. Bevis Marks dates, if I remember correctly, from 1701 and of course the Jews who were allowed back into England in 1656 came initially from Holland. Although the architect of Bevis Marks was Joseph Avis, a Quaker, one can imagine that the congregation who put up the money for the building – £2,650 apparently – would have wanted it to be in a style which reminded them of their roots in the Netherlands. The Amsterdam Portuguese Synagogue dates from 1674/5 and is considered to be the mother congregation of Bevis Marks, so the links are obviously there, even though Bevis Marks is smaller in size. Apparently, some of the brass candelabras at Bevis Marks were actually donated by the mother Synagogue in Amsterdam.
3 January 2010 at 12:04 PM
Chas Newkey-Burden
Thanks Israelinurse. I plan to visit Bevis Marks soon.
3 January 2010 at 5:53 PM
Duvid Crockett, King of DeLancey Street
Thanks Israelinurse.
4 January 2010 at 1:33 AM