From the nineteenth to the twentieth century
In the final quarter of the nineteenth century, the Jewish community in the Netherlands, and especially the segment that lived in Amsterdam, advanced rapidly. The heyday in the diamond industry during the early 1870s, coincided with an increase in Jewish enrolment at state schools
This process paved the way for the emancipation of the Jewish underclass. The rise in affluence enabled Jews from the Jewish neighbourhood to discover the world outside. Some ventured outside their neighbourhood to enjoy nightlife and entertainment and learn about art and culture. As a consequence, the Amsterdam Jews became more secular and in some cases more politically involved.
Thanks to the changes in the diamond, cigar, and garment industries at the end of the nineteenth century and the rise of socialism, this group thrived and achieved upward social mobility. In 1894, when the Algemeene Nederlandsche Diamantbewerkers Bond (ANDB) and the Sociaal Democratische Arbeiders Partij (SDAP) were established, many of the members of both organizations were Jewish diamond workers.
As one of the first modern trade unions, the ANDB enhanced the political, social, and cultural awareness of Jewish workers. In addition to introducing an eight-hour working day and a week of paid vacation, the union opened a library and offered courses in a broad range of subjects. Eventually, the ANDB helped Jewish workers establish themselves in Dutch society.
In Amsterdam Jews moved into the new housing developments in the East and later on into the ones in the South. Many Jewish children attended good schools and took up a far broader range of occupations. The gap between Jews and non-Jews narrowed. Henri Polak, the leader of the ANDB, considered himself to be a true Dutchman: Dutch among the Dutch and Jewish among the Jews.
Jews were by then largely integrated in Dutch society, although many Jewish associations were established during this period as well. Like the Protestant and Catholic associations, the Jewish ones allowed Jews to enjoy entertainment, relaxation, and sports among their own. Jews had carved out their niche within the compartmentalized society.
Despite the manifestations of ongoing distinctions between Jews and non-Jews during the 1920s and 30s (which were to the advantage of the non-Jews), the Nazis were the ones who labelled Jews as Jews once again.