When booking an experience we always feel that you get more out of it when you have done some research. Needless to say, you can do a lifetime of reading on WWII history and still not feel that you have covered it all.
Yet, a few small bits and pieces can get you a long way. In this short article we focus on an event that happened on 22 and 23 February 1941. We cover the event in further detail on the experience, where you’ll get a first-hand glimpse on where the event took place.
Occupied by the Nazi’s
Amsterdam was occupied by the Nazi’s between May 1940 until May 1945. With their anti-semetic policies, life of the Jewish population became increasingly more difficult. Amongst other measures, they were restricted from going to the movie theater, could only do their shopping at certain hours of the day, children had to go to Jewish schools, and Jews were not allowed to use public transportation.
Bully the Jews
At the time the Nazi’s invaded Amsterdam, there was a group of people that associated with the Nazi’s. Some of these people were fanatics that bullied the Jewish population. They’d go into the Jewish area to throw stones through the windows of Jewish shops. Also, they’d go out to search for Jewish men and beat them up. You can imagine that if people come into your neighborhood and beat up your friends and family, you resist. Fight clubs were established in the Jewish quarter so they could defend themselves from attacks.
There were several fights between the Jewish population and the group of people who associated with the Nazi’s. During one of these fights, there was a lethal casualty in group that associated with the Nazi’s. What was their response? And how did the people of Amsterdam react to it? Learn more about it on the tour, but see below for some images that reveal what happened to the Jewish people of Amsterdam on 22 and 23 February 1941.
All pictures at this page are from the Jewish Historical Museum Amsterdam.
To explore this powerful history with a guide, our private Anne Frank tour and Jewish history of Amsterdam goes deep into the stories of the people and places that shaped this neighbourhood. For those drawn to Amsterdam’s darker past, our private ghostly experiences tour explores the city’s most haunting legends on an atmospheric evening walk.
Frequently Asked Questions About Amsterdam’s Jewish Neighbourhood and WWII History
What happened in Amsterdam’s Jewish neighbourhood during World War II?
Amsterdam was occupied by Nazi forces from May 1940 to May 1945. The Jewish population faced severe persecution — barred from cinemas, public transport, and many public spaces, and ultimately subjected to deportation. The February Strike of 1941 was a mass protest by Amsterdam workers against the round-up of Jewish residents, one of the only public acts of resistance to Nazi anti-Jewish measures in all of occupied Western Europe.
What was the February Strike in Amsterdam?
The February Strike (Februaristaking) took place on 25–26 February 1941, when Amsterdam workers launched a general strike to protest the Nazi round-up and deportation of Jewish men from the city’s Jewish neighbourhood. It was one of the only mass civilian protests against Nazi anti-Jewish persecution in occupied Western Europe and is still commemorated every year in Amsterdam.
Where was Amsterdam’s Jewish neighbourhood?
Amsterdam’s historic Jewish neighbourhood (Jodenbuurt) was centred around Waterlooplein and Jodenbreestraat in the city centre, near the Amstel river. Before the war it was a vibrant, established community. The Nazi occupation devastated it. Today the area is home to the Jewish Historical Museum, the Portuguese Synagogue, and the Dutch National Holocaust Memorial.
What can I visit to learn about Amsterdam’s Jewish history?
Key sites include the Jewish Historical Museum, the Portuguese Synagogue (one of the oldest and most beautiful in Europe), the Dutch National Holocaust Memorial (Hollandsche Schouwburg), the Anne Frank House, and the Resistance Museum (Verzetsmuseum). Amsterdam Experiences offers private guided tours covering the full history of the Jewish community and the WWII occupation in depth.
Why is understanding Amsterdam’s Jewish history important before visiting?
Amsterdam was home to one of Western Europe’s largest and most established Jewish communities before the war. Understanding the February Strike, the deportations, and the stories of helpers like Miep Gies gives essential context to visiting sites like the Anne Frank House and the Jewish Historical Museum — making those experiences far more meaningful and moving. You can read the full story of why Anne Frank had to go into hiding in our dedicated post.
