Synagogue Heide (2020)

Heide-Kalmthout is the village where Lukas Pairon grew up.

It has an impressive Jewish history, exemplified by the presence in the village of the first Jeshiva of Belgium (since 1929), and a rare village synagogue (since 1928-1929), which is now being restored.

The association vzw ‘Synagoge Heide’ (see info here) is working on making the Jewish past of the village known and on making sure the synagogue of the village is restored.

See a short presentation (in Dutch) here and here, and an long interview (subtitled in Dutch and French) with Lukas’ friend David Susskind who tells about his adolescent years as a student in the Jeshiva of Heide: “David Susskind in Heide” (version with Dutch and French subtitles).  A version of this video with English subtitles can be found here.

Financial support for the work of the association ‘Synagoge Heide’ is welcome (with possible tax deduction from € 40 via vzw HERITA account): banc account BE41 745017211610 (BIC: KREDBEBB) (important to mention: ‘Synagoge Heide’)

Contact association ‘Synagoge Heide’ to receive information on the regular walks organized with guide Hans Geldhof around the Jewish history of the village Heide: synagoge@kalmthout.be, +32(0)36202210.

UPCOMING PRESENTATION:

Monday, 12 May 2025, 7pm, Kazerne Dossin, Mechelen, Belgium
Jewish history of Heide-Kalmthout

presentation by Hans Geldhof on how the village of Heide was created and built by Jewish families from Antwerp, who built houses there, as well as a synagogue, and even an internationally renowned yeshiva (talmud school)

video testimony from 2008 by David Susskind (founder CCLJ) about his years as an adolescent in the yeshiva of Heide

moderation follow-up discussion: Tomas Baum & Lukas Pairon
organisation: Kazerne Dossin ism vzw Synagoge Heide
language: Dutch (video with English subtitles)

info: https://synagogeheide.be
registration required: https://kazernedossin.eu