Beth Haim of Ouderkerk aan de Amstel

The Beth Haim of Ouderkerk aan de Amstel is the oldest Jewish cemetery in the Netherlands.[1] It was purchased for use as a burying ground by the Jewish community of Amsterdam in 1614 and is located in the village of Ouderkerk aan de Amstel, in the countryside near Amsterdam.[2]

Beth Haim in Ouderkerk aan de Amstel

Grave of Menasseh Ben Israel

The Jewish Cemetery, one of the paintings by Jacob van Ruisdael

In addition to its age, the graveyard is interesting because the tombstones have inscriptions in three languages, Portuguese, Dutch and Hebrew, and because, unusually for a Jewish cemetery, many of the tombstones are carved with elaborate scenes including human figures.

There are two paintings by Jacob van Ruisdael that were inspired by Beth Haim. Although the paintings are usually called in English "The Jewish Cemetery at Ouderkerk", the artist felt free to add picturesque elements, and they therefore do not closely resemble the actual location.