Mokum, a word derived from the Hebrew which means city or place.
The Jewish people named every city Mokum and they connected it with a letter from the Hebrew alphabet , Amsterdam was Mokum Alef, city A. Rotterdam, Mokum Resh, city R. Later on only Amsterdam was called Mokum because Jewish people felt at ease in Amsterdam. It is said that the Jews saw Amsterdam as the second city after Jeruzalem , because of feeling at home.. From the end of the fifteenth century Sephardi Jews from Spain and Portugal fled to Amsterdam because of the inquisition. From 1600 Ashkenazi Jews from Central and Eastern Europe fled to Amsterdam as well.- A lively Jewish community arose at the east side of the city, since that part of the city was located in the direction of Jeruzalem.. The guide is taking you along historical spots,monuments of the Holocaust, the Portuguese and Ashkenazi Synagogues, the latter synagogue is now known as the Jewish Historical Museum.
My farewell to my colleagues could not have been better, as with a walk through the “Jewish Neighborhood” along with Wieske in the pouring rain! Interesting, instructive, relaxed, funny, cozy and unforgettable! Thank Wies!!!!!