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!
February 7 | 8 PM | NBC concert | The Venus Stove
This program is not about 'we love each other so much' but about the sensuality of love: feeling, seeing, smelling, hearing and tasting!
Is Bach's music too tame? Not if you change the lyrics! Librettist Alice Zwolschen reinterprets Bach's Coffee Cantata into the sensual Cava Cantata, vibrantly accompanied by accordion and cello. There's also a world premiere: René Veen composed "The Furnace of Venus," a composition with three aphrodisiac recipes. All of this is mixed with daring songs, such as Thomas Morley's The Dildo song and Jacob Obrecht's 15th-century Meiskin es u cutkin ru —texts that will make your ears glow even now!
Feb. 12 | 7:00 PM | Course series | Introduction Modern Hebrew
This 7-part course series introduces you to Modern Hebrew. Various interesting aspects of this ancient and modern language are covered, including its influence on Dutch. The course is accessible and requires no prior knowledge; it begins with learning to read and write the letters. Registration is required!
Course dates: February 12, 19, 26, March 5, 12, 19, and 26, each day from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
Costs: €85,- for the entire course series.
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.
March 1 | 2:30 PM | Anniversary program
120 years of the synagogue / 50 years of SFS
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In a special programme, we will celebrate and commemorate the 120th anniversary of the synagogue's opening. In addition, the Folkingestraat Synagogue Foundation is now 50 years old.
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More information will follow.
Mrch 11. | 7.30 PM | Lecture | Matriarch or Mogul?
The Life and Times of Flora Sassoon
Flora Sassoon (1859–1936) grew up in an Iraqi Jewish family in Mumbai, India. She led a life full of remarkable contrasts. She was a traditional, practising Jewish woman, but also a businesswoman, a devoted mother and a prominent figure in international society. Rather than conflicting, these roles reveal the breadth of her confidence, intelligence, and independence. These roles demonstrated the breadth of her self-confidence, intelligence and independence. Dr. Sasha Goldstein-Sabbah will talk about Flora Sassoon and how, as a woman, she had (unexpectedly) a great deal of autonomy and influence within her community.
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This lecture will be given in English | Synagogue open from 7 p.m. | reservations are required
Mar 22 | 3:00 PM | Concert | Capriccio Clarinet Orchestra
Capriccio Clarinet Orchestra presents a special concert with a varied programme of impressive classics and light repertoire. The programme includes Tchaikovsky's powerful 1812 Overture and DvoÅ™ák's moving Largo, interspersed with the swinging Puttin' on the Ritz. The orchestra will also perform Balkan Sketches by Marcel Chirilov, a work in memory of John de Beer. With this piece, composer Marcel Chirilov won an award last May at an international clarinet festival in Pordenone, Italy
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Free admission | reservations are not possible​
Mrch 11. | 7.30 PM | Lecture | Matriarch or Mogul?
The Life and Times of Flora Sassoon
Flora Sassoon (1859–1936) grew up in an Iraqi Jewish family in Mumbai, India. She led a life full of remarkable contrasts. She was a traditional, practising Jewish woman, but also a businesswoman, a devoted mother and a prominent figure in international society. Rather than conflicting, these roles reveal the breadth of her confidence, intelligence, and independence. These roles demonstrated the breadth of her self-confidence, intelligence and independence. Dr. Sasha Goldstein-Sabbah will talk about Flora Sassoon and how, as a woman, she had (unexpectedly) a great deal of autonomy and influence within her community.
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This lecture will be given in English | Synagogue open from 7 p.m. | reservations are required
29 March | 4 p.m. | Lecture | Sjoelbouwers
More information to follow!
Mrch 11. | 7.30 PM | Lecture | Matriarch or Mogul?
The Life and Times of Flora Sassoon
Flora Sassoon (1859–1936) grew up in an Iraqi Jewish family in Mumbai, India. She led a life full of remarkable contrasts. She was a traditional, practising Jewish woman, but also a businesswoman, a devoted mother and a prominent figure in international society. Rather than conflicting, these roles reveal the breadth of her confidence, intelligence, and independence. These roles demonstrated the breadth of her self-confidence, intelligence and independence. Dr. Sasha Goldstein-Sabbah will talk about Flora Sassoon and how, as a woman, she had (unexpectedly) a great deal of autonomy and influence within her community.
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This lecture will be given in English | Synagogue open from 7 p.m. | reservations are 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.
