uruandimi
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Prayers on the last day of Sukkoth - the 8-day Jewish Festival of Booths - in the famous 17th century Portuguese synagogue of Amsterdam. Sukkoth is an ancient holiday: it was already common in the days of the Temple, 2000 years ago. (The traditional Christian 'Palm Sunday' may have been derived from it.) Since most of its people were murdered in WWII, today's Amsterdam community of 'Sephardic' Jews is small; I had difficulty to keep the images 'filled'. Without my attendance, there would not be a minyan. Still in its original state and having been declared a monument, the synagogue is not fitted with electricity - on an autumn day like this, morning prayers are held at candle lighting.
5 52528.jpg
Prayers on the last day of Sukkoth - the 8-day Jewish Festival of Booths - in the famous 17th century Portuguese synagogue of Amsterdam. Sukkoth is an ancient holiday: it was already common in the days of the Temple, 2000 years ago. (The traditional Christian 'Palm Sunday' may have been derived from it.) Since most of its people were murdered in WWII, today's Amsterdam community of 'Sephardic' Jews is small; I had difficulty to keep the images 'filled'. Without my attendance, there would not be a minyan. Still in its original state and having been declared a monument, the synagogue is not fitted with electricity - on an autumn day like this, morning prayers are held at candle lighting.