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Jews have lived in the Netherlands for centuries. The majority of Jews settled in Amsterdam. In the Netherlands they had more freedom than in other countries. At the end of the 18th century, Jews were granted full civil rights. The emancipation and gradual integration that followed led most Jews to feel that they were primarily Dutch. Nevertheless, Jews and non-Jews did not live together, but rather alongside each other. Full integration was not the case. A certain distance remained. However, in the 1930s the majority of the Jews did feel safe in the Netherlands.

Sephardi and Ashkenazi Jews
Jewish life before the war

1. The Flesseman-Moffie bridal couple leaving the parental home, Amsterdam, 1937
   Unknown photographer, JHM Collection, Amsterdam
2. The market at the Nieuwmarkt with the medieval ‘de Waag’ building and the fish market, Amster-dam, early 20th century.
   Many Jewish market vendors sold their merchandise here. On Mondays and Thursdays many orthodox Jews bought their fish at the fish market.
   Unknown photographer, JHM Collection, Amsterdam
3. Princes Juliana visiting the new Joodsche Invalide, Amsterdam, September 9, 1938
   This institution accommodated chronically sick people for whom Jewish hospitals and elderly homes had no room.
   Unknown photographer, JHM Collection, Amsterdam
4. Salomon Moffiee on his 40th birthday, Amsterdam, 1920s.
   Moffiee was one of the most important fish wholesale buyers at the Rijksvisafslag in IJmuiden. Every day, his sister Rachel (above the right side of the fish head), nicknamed 'brutal Coba', stood on the street with a fish cart.
   Unknown photographer, JHM Collection, Amsterdam
   
5. Joachimsthal printing/publishing house on Jodenbreestraat, Amsterdam, 1930s.
   Among other things, this firm was the publisher of the Nieuw Israelietisch Weekblad (New Jewish Weekly Paper). From the age of 14 Joseph Peereboom, Simon's father (see continuation), assisted with the editorial, the administration, and the dispatch. In 1943, he was murdered in the Sobibor extermination camp in Poland.
   Unknown photographer, JHM Collection, Amsterdam
6. Diamond cutters at their work place, circa 1920-1930
   Unknown photographer, JHM Collection, Amsterdam
7. The Coöperatieve Broodbakkerij van Handwerkers Vriendenkring (Bakery), Amsterdam, circa 1914
   In the front in the middle: Simon Blitz with Jacob, Duifje Blitz-Wijnschenk with Jeannetta (Jeanet). Jeanet survived Auschwitz and married Simon Peereboom after the war (see Continuation).
   Unknown photographer, JHM Collection, Amsterdam
8. The Zwaaf family selling ice on Helmersstraat, Rotterdam, 1930s
   Unknown photographer, Rotterdam municipal archives collection
9. Sander Lipschits selling bananas at the market, Rotterdam, 1933
   Unknown photographer, Mr. I. Lipschits.
10. Princes Juliana visiting the new Joodsche Invalide’, Amsterdam, september 9, 1938
    Unknown photographer, JHM Collection, Amsterdam
11. Synagogue on Gerard Doustraat, Amsterdam, circa 1930
    Unknown photographer, JHM Collection, Amsterdam
12. Sewing workshop of the clothing factory Hollandia-Kattenburg, Amsterdam, 1930s. Jacob Velleman, father of Leny Boeken-Velleman is standing on the right hand side of the photo.
    Unknown photographer, JHM Collection, Amsterdam