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Stories about Judaism and Jews in Groningen
Did you know that Jews have been living in Groningen for more than four centuries? The exhibition introduces you to the history of the Jewish community in Groningen up to the present day. About entrepreneurs and teachers, about poor relief and superstars. You will also learn about the Jewish religion and the meaning of the holidays. And all that in the colorful shul of Groningen!
From Memory to Memorial
Living with the war, after the war
On view from 15 June
In Synagogue Groningen's summer exhibition, we explore how we have dealt with the memory of World War II and in particular the Shoah (Holocaust) over the past 80 years.
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How did the first generation pick up life again after liberation? Will they talk or remain silent? Is there any space at all to talk about the trauma?
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In the exhibition, we show how different Jewish Groningers dealt with the war history. We also show how we as a collective - as a society - developed new forms of commemoration each time over the past 80 years.
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The exhibition is in Dutch and English.
Oct. 9 | 8:00 PM | Popronde Groningen
With M.J.H. Thompson + Volksorkest & Mirusi Mergina
This evening, Synagoge Groningen is one of the locations for Popronde Groningen.
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MJH Thompson + Volksorkest will take the audience on a wild journey through folk music, starting at 8.30 p.m. From 9.30 p.m., avant-garde artist Mirusi Mergina will bring imaginative worlds to life that can be described as elusive, dark and eclectic. She explores the hidden shadows of the human psyche and translates them into her music and hypnotic visuals.
Synagogue open from 8 p.m. | Free admission!
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Oct 19 | 3:00 PM | concert | Zing Shtil 20 years later
An intimate ode to Yiddish music
Celebrated singer Lucette van den Berg takes you on a personal journey through the rich tradition of Yiddish songs and poetry. With her warm voice and subtle interpretations, Lucette weaves traditional melodies with
contemporary compositions, while guitarist Erik Raayman accompanies her with refined sounds. This concert is a celebration of past and future, where emotion and beauty come together in a timeless musical experience. Let yourself be touched by the power of silence and sound.
Ticket information will follow!
Oct. 25 | 8:00 PM | Ned. Bach Consort | All Souls Day 2025
The loss is from then, the missing is from now.
Memories remain, even when loved ones pass away. After All Souls' Day 2024, we asked our audience to share a special memory. These stories form the basis for this special concert, in which familiar and new music merge with memories. Some memories are read out, but all stories are collected in a special booklet. In addition to works by Elgar, Gibbons and Bach, the world premiere of Victor Kioulaphides' new composition Dromen will be performed, based on the beautiful text of Bauke Vermaas' moving poem. An evening full of comfort, remembrance, reflection and connection - where music speaks when words fail.
Oct. 26 | 1:30 & 3:00 PM | Workshop baking cookies
October Children's Month
Come and bake cookies with your (grand)parents at the Groningen Synagogue! We will start by baking a special cookie: Rugelach. This cookie comes in different shapes and sizes and with various fillings such as jam, poppy seeds, cinnamon or chocolate. We will learn how to make this delicacy and then discover more about different holidays and traditions. While the biscuits are baking, we will conclude the workshop by decorating our own packaging to store the biscuits in.
​​There are workshop sessions from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. and 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. | Participation is free for children (aged 7-12) and parents | Registration is required.
Oct. 30 | 7:00 PM | Course series | Getting to know Hebrew
Synagogue Groningen will start a new 7-part course series Getting to Know Modern Hebrew on Thursday 30 October. Various interesting aspects of this ancient and modern language will be discussed, such as its influence on Dutch. The course is low-threshold and requires no prior knowledge.
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Course dates: 30 Oct. , 6 Nov.,13 Nov., 20 Nov., 27 Nov.,11 Dec. and 18 Dec.; each time from 19:00 to approx. 21:00.
Registration is required | the cost is €85 for the entire course series.
2 Nov. | 3 p.m. | lecture | The Jewish community in Albania
Hope dies last
During World War II, Albania found itself in an exceptional position regarding the treatment of its Jewish population. Unlike most other European countries, where Jews were severely persecuted and deported to concentration camps, virtually all Jews in Albania survived the war. On Sunday afternoon, November 2nd, Jan Hindrik Loonstra and Harry Schilthuis will give a lecture on this remarkable history. Together with Hélène Wesselingh, they edited the recently published book "Albania: From Dictatorship to Democracy."
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December 11-14 | Art Fair
Richard ter Borg, Peter ter Braak, Klinkhamer Antiques
Just before the holidays, Groningen gallery owners Richard ter Borg , Peter ter Braak , and the Veenstra brothers of Klinkhamer Antiek will present a wide and varied selection of art at the Synagogue. You'll see ceramics, watercolors, oil paintings, engravings, and more!
During the exhibition days, the synagogue is open to the public free of charge from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM. From 1:00 PM onward, guided tours of the synagogue are available every hour on the hour, except on Saturdays.