Oy Vey Newsletter Tamuz in the heat
What’s happening this summer at Oy Vey?
Dear Friend,
What heat! The month of Tammuz is now roughly halfway through and the ice creams have long since melted, with code red on the horizon. The effects of the climate crisis are palpable, and while we also enjoy a day off and swimming in the sea, I am aware of how relational our bond is with the earth. In the Jewish rhythm of the day, two moments (after the Shema prayer) are set aside to consciously reflect on our behavior in relation to the earth. But there is much more ecological and relational thinking within our traditions — so here’s a book recommendation: The Pearl and the Flame: A Journey Into Jewish Wisdom and Ecological Thinking, written by Rabbi Nathan Margalit. Speaking of books — Oy Vey Reads is currently reading Here Where We Live Is Our Country by Molly Crabapple — and it will be discussed on August 8th.
In other news, we have completed the 12th semester of Ze Kollel, spent Shavuot in Portbou (northern Spain, where Walter Benjamin tragically met his end in 1940) with a group of Ze Kollel alumni, and are preparing for a new semester beginning in the fall. The photo above was taken during the shabbaton, at the grave of Walter Benjamin, where we did some feldmestn.
We are also incredibly busy — and steadily making progress — on the Jewish Living Room at Makom, on Nieuwe Uilenburgerstraat in Amsterdam. Gatherings are taking place regularly, we are collecting books for the library (if you have any Jewish books to spare and would like to donate them… we would love to take them off your hands), and there are plans to finally open our own space properly after the summer. I promise an update-newsletter is coming soon, with photos and stories to bring you along on this adventure — an adventure that would not be possible without your generous (financial) support.
Finally, today marks the launch of the alliance ‘Gedeelde Geschiedenissen‘ (Shared Histories). In collaboration with Pan Asian Collective, The Black Archives, Het Moslim Archief, Amsterdam Museum, and the OBA, we will be developing a follow-up project to the Jewish Manifesto over the coming years: capturing more stories from the broader Jewish communities. A woven tapestry of intertwined stories. This will be our collective venture into community archiving. We are curious to hear your stories!
For now, check out the newsletter below and drink plenty of water!
Lievnath
Upcoming Events
We’re heading into summer with the next edition of the Singing Shtetl — this time on Saturday, July 4th, with a havdalah potluck afterwards. Throughout the summer months we’ll continue with the Singing Shtetl, so keep an eye on the website and your inbox for dates in August and September!
On Sunday, August 16th, we’ll be saying farewell to Grace, who has brought so much energy and creativity to our volunteer team over the past year. We’ll be marking the occasion with a clothing swap she has organized herself, in our Jewish Living Room at Makom.
After the summer, the High Holidays will be coming up quickly. Go ahead and block out Saturday evening, September 12th (Rosh Hashanah), Sunday evening September 20th, and Monday September 21st — day and evening (Yom Kippur) — in your calendar.
There are also some wonderful new regular projects joining us at our space after the summer — more on that soon!
Job Opening: Business Director
We are looking for a Business Director for Oy Vey (freelance/self-employed).
Scope: ±0.4 FTE on a freelance basis (average 16 hours per week) Start date: September 1, 2026, or by mutual agreement Duration: 6 months, with intention to extend Location: hybrid Reports to: Executive Director Works closely with: Executive Director, bookkeeper, volunteers, and external specialists
Oy Vey is a radically inclusive Jewish grassroots movement in the Netherlands. What began as a conversation among people seeking connection has grown into a community of over 600 participants, an annual film festival, a broad program of Jewish holidays, rituals, conversations and activism, and — with Het Joods Manifest — an important reference point for thinking about the future of Jewish life in the Netherlands.
In 2026, Oy Vey is taking its next step with the opening of the Jewish Living Room at Makom, on Nieuwe Uilenburgerstraat. 2026 is therefore the year in which we are laying the organizational foundation for the implementation of our multi-year plan 2027–2028. For this we are looking for a Business Director to help build alongside us.
Share this vacancy with interested people in your network.
From Our Community
July 2 and 8: Visualize Peace in districts East and South. Verbeeld de Vrede invites Amsterdammers to co-design what peace in the city looks like. In a time of tensions and polarization, we bring people together to eat, share, sketch, and dream.
🔥Pets of Oy Vey
Dorinde writes:
“Loeki (7) came to us at five months old from Corfu, Greece. She is always cheerful and genuinely gives life a golden glow.”
Who wouldn’t love a face like that?
We would love to put your pet in the spotlight here! Just reply to this email with a photo and a little info — we’ll take care of the rest. 🐾
Vrede, liefde en solidariteit,
Het Oy Vey-team 💛