Welcome to the Jewish Community Beit Ha'Chidush

Beit Ha'Chidush (House of Renewal) is an independent Jewish congregation, founded by unaffiliated secular and progressive-religious Jews.

We seek to celebrate, revive and modernize our Jewish civilization by conducting participatory and egalitarian services, by educating ourselves in both traditional and critical Jewish insights, by developing meaningful rituals and ceremonies, and by including thinkers, artists and musicians in this process of renewing our heritage.

We are inspired by the European Hashkala (Jewish Enlightenment) and by the contemporary Reconstructionist, Renewal and Cultural Jewish movements. Our goal is to build a (transnational) community that synthesizes contemporary religious life with the full spectrum of

Jewish culture.

BHC = equality

Kehillat Beit Ha'Chidush is a modern Jewish community for everyone with a Jewish family background. We are a community based on equality: BHC is welcoming people with one or two Jewish (grand)parents; men and women; straight or gay; parents and children; youths and older people. If your partner is not Jewish you're both welcome. If you have children, they can join our Jewish Sunday classes Ledor Wador ('from generation to generation').

BHC = modernity

Twice a month and with festivals, BHC members gather in the attractive Uilenburger synagogue in the former Jewish area of Amsterdam. We celebrate Shabbat and major festivals based on traditional sources. However, we constantly try to find ways to connect to modern life, e.g. from Jewish Renewal and other modern Jewish movements. For services we use our own Sidur Ha'Chidush (prayer book and order of the service).

BHC = informal

Just come to visit us and experience BHC's informal, warm and enjoyable atmosphere. We have a Kabbalat Shabbat celebration each first Friday of the month at 8 PM, and once a month a Shacharit (Saturday morning) service at 10.30 AM. Please refer to the calendar for the precise dates and place. You can contact us by email or telephone to let us know that you wish to come to the service. If you wish, we can also provide you with some more information.

BHC = democratic

Beit Ha'Chidush is an association with a chosen Board and General Meetings in which all major resolutions are presented to the members.

BHC-services are held in the Uilenburger Synagogue. This building was established in the 1700s in the heart of Amsterdam's Jewish quarter. Its located downtown Amsterdam, close to the Jewish Historical museum, and the Portugese Synagogue at the Waterlooplein.

Address
Uilenburger synagoge, Nieuwe Uilenburgerstraat 91, Amsterdam

Coming services

Coming Kabbalat Shabbatdiensten

Monthly, every first Friday evening at the Uilenburger synagoge
Start: 8 p.m. - Oneg ca. 9.30pm

Shacharit services

Shabbat Shacharit services: see Kalender on Dutch pages

High Holy Days

Erev Rosh Hashanah 8 September
Time: 7 p.m.
followed by Kiddush with apples and honey

Rosh Hashanah 9 September
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Bring a lunch to enjoy together after the services; BHC will provide soup, coffee and tea.

Kol Nidre (Erev Yom Kippur) 17 September
Time: 7 p.m.

Yom Kippur 18 September
Time: 11 a.m. (Yizkor at 6 p.m.)
Program: After the services we will break the fast together with a traditional potluck dinner in the shul. Bring a kosher-style vegetarian or fish dish; BHC will provide drinks.

Registration form High Holy Days 5771

The Sidur is available again!

The second edition of the BHC Sidur is available now.
This corrected edition has a sturdier, but still flexible cover. Two prayers have been added: one for Israel and one for democracy.
These prayers also are printed on a separate page, which can be easily enclosed at the inside of the back cover in the first edition with a the provided sticking strip.

To order: email to ikbestel.bhc.sidur@kpnmail.nl
Please note your complete name and address in the mail. Costs: members and friends: € 32,50; others

€ 42,50. Mailing costs: within the Netherlands: €5,00/ abroad: €11,00
Pay before sending at P 7361168 Beit Ha'Chidush, Zoetermeer - please note Sidur.

Through the same email address and procedure obtainable: the page with the two added prayers.
Costs: €2,50, mailing included.
Both items also available previous to our services at the Uilenburgersynagoge; cash or filled out bank form only.