Begins with a brief history of Jewish life in Amsterdam from the earliest evidence of the 16th c., through the 17th and 18th c., including the construction and later history of the famous Esnoga (synagogue) building and the associated Ets Haim library. Musical life in the Amsterdam Jewish community in the 17th and 18th c.
History of the Spanish-Portuguese community in Amsterdam and a comparison between the present day service and past service as described in 1788 by Joseph Pinto.