Joël Vredenburg first took his BA examination in classical literature, then his moree-exam in 1891. He became director of the Godsdienst-Armenschool, teacher at the Beth Hamidrasj and teacher-consultant of Talmud Torah in Amsterdam. From 1904 to 1918, he was a rabbi in Amsterdam. In 1917, he was appointed chief rabbi of Gelderland district. He was also chairman of the Exam Board for religious education teachers and theologists.
Joël Vredenburg has several Jewish-scientific publications and translations to his name. He wrote a by now famous translation and explanation of the Torah.
Chief rabbi Vredenburg died in the Joodse Invalide in Amsterdam. In March 1943, an obituary appeared for him in Het Joodsche Weekblad.
Het Joodsche Weekblad, 19 March 1943, 1-2
M.H. Gans, Memorboek. Platenatlas van het leven der joden in Nederland van de middeleeuwen tot 1940 (6e bijgewerkte druk; Baarn 1988) 804
Joël Vredenburg was married to Esther Bamberger, daughter of Seckel Bamberger and Julie Klein. Esther died on May 12, 1939. A memorial stone was placed at the Jewish burial site in Arnhem in honour of her. The couple had a son Izak who was also a rabbi. He did not survive the war.
Additon of a visitor of the website
The funeral records at the Jewish cemetery in Arnhem reveal that a memorial stone is placed for Joël Vredenburg.