The Machsike Hadass kehillah is the central Orthodox Jewish community of Antwerp and one of the most established Haredi communities in Western Europe. Founded in the late 19th century, it became the institutional backbone of religious Jewish life in the city, developing its own rabbinic leadership, educational framework, and communal infrastructure.
Foundation (1892)
The kehilla was founded in 1892, when several smaller Orthodox congregations in Antwerp united under one organized structure. This unification was driven by the need to strengthen religious life and ensure proper halachic and communal standards for a growing Jewish population, largely composed of immigrants from Eastern Europe.
Among the early founders and leaders associated with the establishment were:
- R’ Avraham Ullman – an early communal activist and influential figure in the kehilla’s formation
- R’ Yosef Blitz
- R’ Shulem Feiner
- R’ Hershel Krengel
- R’ Yitzchak Tzvi Ratzersdorfer
- R’ Yaakov Eisenman
These figures represented the backbone of the emerging Orthodox structure in Antwerp and helped shape its long-term religious identity.
Early Recognition and Growth
By 1910, the Machsike Hadass kehilla received official recognition from Belgian authorities, allowing it to function as an organized religious body.
This recognition marked an important turning point: the kehilla was no longer a loose association of minyanim, but a formally established institution responsible for communal religious life, including kashrut supervision, rabbinical authority, and synagogue administration.
Building a Communal Center
As the community expanded, it became necessary to establish a central synagogue complex. This led to the development of the Oosten Synagogue project on Oosten Street, which became the flagship beis haknesses of the kehilla.
The kehilla developed around several key institutions:
- Central synagogues (including Oosten Shul)
- Beis midrash study halls
- Rabbinical court (Beis Din)
- Educational initiatives and youth frameworks
- Kashrut supervision systems
This structure allowed Machsike Hadass to function as a fully independent Orthodox kehilla with strong internal governance.
Rabbinic Leadership
Over the decades, the kehilla was shaped by important rabbinic and dayan leadership, including:
- Harav Mordechai Rottenberg zt”l hy”d – leading Rav before World War II, representing the kehilla during a critical period of growth and rising European tensions
- Harav Noach Tzvi Ullman zt”l – dayan and halachic authority within the kehilla
- Other rabbanim and dayanim who maintained continuity of Torah leadership across generations
Their leadership ensured that Machsike Hadass maintained strict Orthodox standards while adapting to the realities of modern European Jewish life.
World War II Period
During the Nazi occupation of Belgium, the Machsike Hadass kehilla suffered severe destruction. Community institutions were destroyed or dismantled, and many members were deported or forced into hiding.
Synagogues were desecrated, Torah scrolls destroyed, and communal infrastructure heavily damaged. Despite this, fragments of the community survived, and some sacred objects were rescued by individuals risking their lives.
Postwar Reconstruction
After 1945, surviving members of the kehilla returned and began rebuilding communal life from near collapse. Under new leadership, including figures such as R’ Shlomo Klagsbald z”l, the kehilla slowly reestablished its institutions.
Key priorities included:
- Restoring synagogue services
- Rebuilding communal trust and structure
- Reestablishing rabbinic authority
- Supporting Holocaust survivors within the community
The Oosten Synagogue once again became the central hub of Machsike Hadass life.
Expansion and Modern Development
In the decades following the war, Machsike Hadass grew into one of Europe’s most influential Haredi communities. It became particularly known for:
- Strong adherence to halacha and minhagim
- A well-developed kashrut system
- Educational institutions for boys and girls
- A tight-knit communal structure centered in Antwerp’s Jewish district
The kehilla also attracted families from other European countries, Israel, and the United States, reinforcing its international character.
Cultural and Religious Identity
Machsike Hadass is known for preserving a traditional Eastern European Orthodox identity, including:
- Ashkenazi nusach and minhagim
- Strong emphasis on Torah study
- Respect for rabbinic authority
- Community-centered religious life
The kehilla has maintained continuity between pre-war European Orthodoxy and modern Haredi life in Western Europe.
Legacy
Today, Machsike Hadass remains a defining force in Antwerp Jewish life. Its institutions continue to serve thousands of families, and its synagogues—especially the Oosten Shul—stand as living symbols of resilience, continuity, and renewal.
From its modest beginnings in the 19th century to its present-day structure, the kehilla reflects the endurance of Orthodox Jewish life in Europe through periods of growth, destruction, and rebuilding.