The Jewish community in Rotterdam is enthusiastically and courageously reviving local Jewish culture in a city that suffered greatly during the war. Here’s our interview with Danielle Nativ…
Jguideeurope: Which cultural events related to Jewish heritage will be organized in Rotterdam in 2025-6?
Danielle Nativ: We are part of Heilige Huisjes, an event organized by the city where all religious institutions open their doors for 1 weekend. Besides that, at the moment we have nothing specific planned. (Last year we did a guided walk!)
Is there a place linked to this heritage which should be better known?
Unfortunately, Rotterdam was bombed during WW2 and there is very little visible heritage left. https://www.joodserfgoedrotterdam.nl/ shows a lot of the Jewish history of the city.
Can you tell us about the way Jewish artists such as Leo Fuld, for example, are remembered in Rotterdam?
Some examples: We have a memorial in the city for Abraham Icek Tuschinski (film maker), and many entertainment places still carry names of his old establishments. Last year there was a small exposition about Jewish musicians in Rotterdam at Verhalenhuis Belvedere. Also, there is a square named after Branco van Dantzig and there is big print of her on one of the buildings in the West of the city.