Mokum, The biography of Jewish Amsterdam
De Nieuwe Kerk concludes Amsterdam’s 750th anniversary year with Mokum – The biography of Jewish Amsterdam. This exhibition, made in collaboration with Jewish Cultural Quarter, highlights the multifaceted and turbulent history of Jewish life in the city. From the first Jewish refugees in the 16th century to today’s diverse community, and the icons that enriched Amsterdam in the meantime.
‘Mokum’ – the Yiddish word for ‘place’ or ‘city’ – became an affectionate nickname for Amsterdam over time. Hundreds of objects, spread across thirteen chapters, reveal how Jewish residents have shaped the city.
The influence of Yiddish words on the Dutch language can still be heard in the streets every day. Former residents such as Baruch Spinoza, Samuel Sarphati and Anne Frank are world-famous, and landmarks like De Bijenkorf, Tuschinski and the Amstel Hotel would never have been built without Jewish patrons.
The exhibition also tells the harrowing stories of persecution, the murder of 60,000 Jewish residents during World War II, and the slow process towards recognition and a public apology – finally voiced by mayor Femke Halsema in 2025. The revival and reinvention of religious and cultural identities makes up an important chapter as well.
Mokum – The biography of Jewish Amsterdam is an ode to a community that has been inextricably linked to the city’s DNA for four centuries. As mayor Halsema put it: “Without Jewish life, there is no Amsterdam.”
The ups and downs of Jewish life
From the end of the 16th century, Jews from various parts of Europe flocked to the thriving trading city of Amsterdam, where there was a relatively high degree of religious freedom. Soon, a large Jewish community developed in the city.
Both famous and lesser-known residents of Amsterdam recount the ups and downs of Jewish life throughout the years, how it has shaped the city and continues to lend it color. From the community’s rise and integration to contemporary liberal Judaism, increased polarization in society, and the continued search for connection in the Amsterdam of today.