Studia Rosenthaliana - Volume 48, Issue 2, 2022

Abstract Beginning in the 1630s, Dutch Brazil sheltered the first openly-Jewish community in the Americas. In 1645, however, Catholic rebels overran the sugar-producing hinterland of the colony, executed Jewish prisoners, and besieged the capital. This article analyses Jewish community leaders’ responses to these disasters. First, Jews demonstrated their loyalty and petitioned Dutch authorities to gain protection against b Read More

Abstract Since outbreaks of smallpox in children occurred frequently during the early modern period and the death rates of children in Amsterdam were quite high, the long-awaited decree of the King for vaccinating the poor did not fall on deaf ears. Dr. Goldsmit embarked on a journey which has made a difference in the health settings of the Jewish Ashkenazi community, when he chose to try out Jenner’s vaccination method Read More

Abstract On June 12, 1967, most Warsaw Pact nations severed diplomatic relations with Israel. Following diplomatic custom, the mutual interests of Israel, Poland and the Soviet Union were to be represented by third countries to continue diplomatic contact. Israel requested the Netherlands, their best friend, to look after Israeli interests, both in Poland and in the Soviet Union. Using archives of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Aff Read More

Abstract This article unifies a recently located collection of 202 Moré examination responsa written by 48 rabbinical candidates in the Netherlands over the period 1843-1963. The Peri Ets Haim Ha-Hadash derives its name from its connection to the Peri Ets Haim, a monthly journal of responsa written by senior rabbinical students at the Ets Haim Yeshiva over the period 1728-1807. The examiners selected the questions that addr Read More