Open Jewish Houses – Houses of Resistance

Every year around May 4, the Jewish Cultural Quarter organizes “Open Jewish Homes – Homes of Resistance” in dozens of cities across the Netherlands. The goal of this project is to offer participants and visitors a deeply moving experience of remembrance. “Open Jewish Homes – Homes of Resistance” brings home just how deeply the loss of democracy, the rule of law, and fundamental freedoms affected—and ultimately destroyed—the lives of those being commemorated.

Storytellers, visitors, and residents share stories in homes where Jews and members of the resistance lived and worked during and immediately after World War II. This brings the past very close and makes remembrance a deeply personal experience. Each home has its own character. The current residents of the house play a major role in deciding how to organize the gathering, together with the organizers in that city. In some houses, music is played; in others, poetry is recited. Local stories of the Resistance are also shared. Between the sliding doors or in the attic, in small groups, people listen together, look around, and commemorate. Who lived here, in this house or just around the corner? What do we know about them now? Where was a hiding place? What happened? How did they live?

We support Open Jewish Homes – Homes of Resistance because this national initiative connects visitors to the history of World War II in a very personal and moving way.