Dutch Jewry During the Emancipation Period (1787-1815) : Gothic Turrets on a Corinthian Building

By the end of the eighteenth century, the Dutch Jews enjoyed complete freedom of religion, but economic discrimination left the majority of them penniless.

Moreover, a bitter conflict broke out between the enlightened and the orthodox Jews, leading to a fierce controversy and the foundation of a separate congegration.

In spite of the emancipation decree of 2 September 1796, discrimination continued and only slowly declined in the course of the next century.

This book offers a new and original analysis of both the political, economical, religious and literary aspects of this fascinating and tumultuous era.