JEWISH GRONINGEN
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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!
Synagogue builders!
120 years of the Groningen Synagogue
exhibition - 13 February - 10 May 2026​
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This new exhibition takes you from the initial sketches and construction drawings to the festive inauguration of the synagogue in 1906. You will discover the significance that the building still has today as a place of culture, celebration and remembrance. Step by step, you will see how the synagogue grew into an iconic building: Jewish in symbolism and orientation, Eastern in its arches and patterns, Christian in its spatial structure and unmistakably Groningen in its materials and craftsmanship.
25 March | 2 p.m. | Guided tour of the Jewish cemetery (Moesstraat)
During this tour, you will discover the hidden stories of the old Jewish cemetery. Our guide will tell you about its history, as well as the special features of this place. In addition, a number of life stories of Jewish residents of Groningen who are buried here will be shared.
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Participation is free | Your donation is greatly appreciated! | Registration is required
29 March | 4 p.m. | Lecture | Trouble for Sjoelbouwers
The exhibition "Sjoelbouwers!" ( takes you on a journey through the construction history of the current Groningen synagogue. There are many more stories to share surrounding this important event! In this lecture, Geert Volders (director of the Groningen Synagogue) will discuss the choice of architects Kuipers and Van der Veen, rejected designs, and a bricklayers' strike. In short: troubles for synagogue builders!
Your entrance ticket grants you access to the exhibition(s) and the lecture! Open at 1:00 PM.
8 April | 3 p.m. | Children's workshop - Make your own party platter
April 16 | 7:30 PM | Lecture "Polyphonic Antiquity"
Jewish and Arab Voices in Antiquity: The Dead Sea Scrolls and the Babatha Archive
The Dead Sea Scrolls are among the most important collections of manuscripts from antiquity that have survived. Dr. Ayhan Aksu (University of Groningen) will demonstrate this evening that the worlds of Jews and neighboring peoples such as the Nabataeans were closely intertwined. This lecture is part of Classics Week.
Free admission | reservations are required
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April 18 | 20.00 | Klezmer & Co.: Harts Mayns
Concert & CD presentation
"Harts Mayns" is a collection of instrumental klezmer melodies and Yiddish songs, often themed around love and longing. The music comes from the programs "Mayn Harts" and "A Gut Yor." Some songs are a mix of klezmer with lyrics, others come from American Yiddish theater or are Yiddish poems set to music. There are also songs in Hebrew and Ladino, the language of Sephardic (Spanish) Jews.
Tickets: €10,- | Ticket & CD: €15,-
April 22 | 2:00 PM | Guided tour of the Jewish cemetery (Selwerderhof)
During this tour, you will discover the history of the Jewish cemetery on Iepenlaan (Selwerderhof). Our guide will tell you about its origins, as well as the special features of this cemetery, which was established at the beginning of the 20th century. In addition, a number of life stories of Jewish residents of Groningen who are buried here will be shared.
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Participation is free | Your donation is greatly appreciated! | Registration is required
April 30 | 2:00 PM | War Graves Excursion
Themed tour of the Jewish cemetery - Selwerderhof
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The Jewish cemetery contains several grave monuments with a visible link to the Second World War: war graves of Jewish soldiers and resistance fighters, as well as post-war monuments commemorating family members who were murdered in concentration camps. During this tour, the personal stories behind the grave monuments will be shared.
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More information coming soon!
May 1 | 3:30 PM | Book presentation "Fear, Courage, and Making Choices"
This afternoon, Ron van Hasselt presents his latest book. He calls it an anti-war book, divided into two parts. First, a historical exploration beginning in the slums of pre-war Groningen. He then takes us on a journey of reflection on how we deal with violence, the threat of war, and war itself. In this final part, ironic reflection and philosophical lightheartedness clash in a search for the tragic truth.
Participation is free | Registration is required
May 3 & 4 - 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM | Open Jewish Houses / Houses of Resistance
If walls could talk...
On Sunday, May 3rd, and Monday, May 4th, you can listen to the personal stories of Jewish Groningen residents and resistance fighters at locations related to their lives. Each story lasts approximately 30 to 45 minutes and is free of charge.
The full programme will be announced at the beginning of April.
May 31 | 3:00 PM | concert | Mixed Women's Choir Groningen
More information will follow!
June 19 | 3:00 PM | Lecture | Vanished Jewish Cemeteries
National Archaeology Days
In 2024-2025, a study was conducted by – now graduated – archaeology student Caitlyn Göbel into cleared and vanished Jewish cemeteries in the Netherlands. Where in the Netherlands are these locations situated, and why is it necessary to know? What is happening to these sites today, and can we still do something about it?
More information coming soon!
