Amsterdam’s Portuguese Jews: The Dutch Israel in the 17th Century

About this event

Portuguese converso refugees began arriving in Amsterdam about a century after the forced conversion of Portugal's Jews in 1497. The community they built was unique in multiple ways—socially, religiously, economically, and intellectually. We will briefly discuss this fascinating haven, why these particular people made their way there, and what made it different from other Sephardic communities.

About Dr. Matt Goldish

Dr. Goldish is a specialist in Jewish and European History, with interests in Messianism, Jewish-Christian intellectual relations, and Sephardic studies. He holds the Samuel M. and Esther Melton Chair in Jewish History at the Ohio State University. Dr. Goldish has published Judaism in the Theology of Sir Issac Newton, The Sabbatean Prophets, Jewish Questions: Responsa on Jewish Life in the Early Modern Period , Science & Specters at Salem, as well as edited collections, articles, and book reviews. He is active as an invited lecturer in various academic and community environments.

Join us for events Friday Night, Shabbat Day, and Motzaei Shabbat.