Celebrate Jewish Joy and Resistance: Events, Film Screenings, and Learning Opportunities in Amsterdam (May 2025)
Discover a vibrant lineup of Jewish cultural events and spiritual gatherings in Amsterdam this May. From film screenings and remembrance rituals at Kriterion to soul-nourishing workshops with Rabbi Shefa Gold, and the much-anticipated return of Rabbi Arthur Green, this calendar is rich with opportunities to honor history, celebrate resilience, and explore Jewish joy.
Hello all,
If you’re finding yourself struggling with all of the things the world is throwing at you, find somewhere to stop, breathe, sing at the top of your lungs, dance, laugh, and absorb some joy. Here’s a reminder from the Jewish Manifesto:
We demand joy back. We demand our humor, stories, songs, dances, and dishes.
There will always be reasons to grieve, to rise up in action, and to resist. Jewish joy can contain them all: the tragedy, sorrow, anger, and hope for the future.
There is plenty to do in the coming months. Join us.
Announcement
The petition Joden Zeggen Nee (Jews Say No) is still open for signatures. In fact, if you signed the petition in the early days, there is a chance that you did not give permission to share your name publicly online on the website. If you want your name to be public, please fill out this super short google form. (And even if you do not want your name publicised, it would be helpful for the petition folks to know this explicitly, so you can fill out the form either way) Thank you!
Update your signature or sign online: www.jodenzeggennee.nl
Events in May
Oi Nee! Don’t forget to be Deviant
Yoni is leading the third session of the Deviant Yeshiva on May 3. Find out more about it here:
https://oyvey.nl/event/3-mei-deviant-yeshiva-bespreekt-cohen/
Oy Vey and Kriterion May 4-5: Films, Commemoration
Once again, Oy Vey and Kriterion join forces to commemorate May 4 (Dutch remembrance day for WWII) and celebrate May 5 (liberation day) at the historic location of Kriterion, through Jewish rituals, customs and stories. We combine Jewish film, discussion and ritual to make sense of these days.
May 4
Hester Street
On May 4 we screen the film Hester Street and organize an Oy Vey commemoration in the foyer of Kriterion.
Date: May 4
Time: 16:30 – 18:20
Location: Bioscoop Kriterion, Roetersstraat 170
Tickets: get your tickets here
Hester Street (Joan Micklin Silver, 1975, 90 minutes, English and Yiddish with English subtitles)
Commemoration
After the film screening, we will join together for a commemoration of those who died in the foyer of Kriterion.
Date: May 4
Time: 19:30 – 20:10
Location: Bioscoop Kriterion, Roetersstraat 170, foyer, free entry.
May 5
Film screening followed by freedom soup and live jazz
On May 5 we will screen the film Nesjomme, followed by ‘freedom soup’ for everyone in the lounge, with live jazz.
Date: May 5
Time: 16:00 – 17:50
Location: Bioscoop Kriterion, Roetersstraat 170
Tickets: get your tickets here
May 24 with Rabbi Shefa Gold
The Call of Love: Reimagining Religion with Love at the Center
Join us for The Call of Love workshop, where Shefa Gold will guide us in reimagining religion with love at its core. Through the sacred words of The Song of Songs (Shir HaShirim), we will embark on an intimate journey exploring love’s many facets—its longing, challenges, fulfillment, and deep wisdom.
This evening of reflection and discovery invites you to step into the path of love, both personally and spiritually. Sign up online.
Date: May 24
Time: 6:00 – 9:00 PM
Location: YogaZenter, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Costs: 65 euro (sliding scale options available 36 – 90 euro). Do not let cost be a barrier to you joining.
From the community
From: HaMakor & Stichting Inclusief Jodendom
Great News: Rabbi Arthur Green is returning to the Netherlands!
World-renowned scholar of Jewish mysticism and neo-Hasidism, Rabbi Arthur Green is visiting the Netherlands. A prolific author and founding dean of the Hebrew College rabbinical program in Boston, Green is an unparalleled teacher of Hasidic texts. Some of his works are available in Dutch (see below).
It’s been ten years since his last visit—this might be the final chance to meet, speak, and learn with him.
📆 Program
Saturday, May 17 | 14:00–17:00
Talk + Q&A: “Neo-Hasidism: A Judaism for Today’s Seekers”
(Open to all. Limited spots – first-come, first-served.)
Sunday, May 18 | 10:30–13:00 & 14:00–16:30
Text study from Degel Mahane Ephraim, grandson of the Ba’al Shem Tov. We’ll explore teachings on Parashat Yitro – a perfect preparation for Shavuot.
(Hebrew reading skills required – translations provided. Contact us if unsure.)
📍 Location: Near Amsterdam. Address sent after payment.
💶 Fees:
• Saturday: €20
• Sunday: €50 (includes lunch)
📝 Register by May 1
Email: tamarah@dds.nl
Pay to HaMakor (NL41 INGB 0006 9009 29) or PayPal info@hamakor.nl
Mention: “Green May 17” or “Green May 18” + your name
Payment = registration.
❤️ Support the Event
We’ve kept prices low to remain accessible. Donations are warmly welcome.
- HaMakor – NL41 INGB 0006 9009 29 or PayPal info@hamakor.nl, ref: “gift Green”
• Stichting Inclusief Jodendom – NL21 INGB 0007 9328 84, ref: “gift Green”
📚 Featured Books by Rabbi Arthur Green
- Tormented Master: A Life of Rabbi Nahman of Bratslav
- Your Word Is Fire
- Language of Truth
- Seek My Face
- Ehyeh: A Kabbalah for Tomorrow
- Radical Judaism
- Judaism’s Ten Best Ideas
- Judaism for the World