Gouda, South Holland, Netherlands — Northwestern Europe
Metaheerhuis
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Tahara (Ritual Washing) House
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, June 21, 2025
1. Metaheerhuis / Tahara Building Marker
In de tuin achter het gebouw staat het metaheerhuis. Hierin vond de rituele wassing plaats en werden de gebeden gezegd voor de overledene.
Het metaheerhuis is sinds 1994 een gedenkplaats voor de omgekomen Joden in de tweede wereldoorlog.
From 1892 to 1943, this building served as the central (old age) home for Jews in the Netherlands. On April 9, 1943, all residents were deported.
In the garden behind the building stands the ritual washing house. Here, ritual ablutions were performed and prayers were said for the deceased.
Since 1994, the ritual washing house has been a memorial to the Jews who perished in World War II.
Topics and series. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Religion & Religious Structures • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the The Holocaust series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 9, 1943.
Location. 52° 0.548′ N, 4° 42.733′ E. Memorial is in Gouda,
this page online
Regionally, it is in Europe, the European Union, Atlantic Europe, the Benelux Low Countries, the Schengen Area, Western Europe, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire and specifically also the Holy Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Schafte Israël Adler (here, next to this marker); Gebouw de Haven / De Haven Building (a few steps from this marker); Erasmus: Westhaven (within shouting distance of this marker); St. Theodorus-stichting / St. Theodorus Foundation (within shouting distance of this marker); Woonhuis van Arie Blanken / Residence of Arie Blanken (within shouting distance of this marker); Voormalig postkantoor / Former Post Office (within shouting distance of this marker); Dirck Volkertszoon Coornhert (within shouting distance of this marker); R.K. Meisjesschool met kapel / Catholic Girls School With Chapel
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, June 21, 2025
2. Metaheerhuis / Tahara (Ritual Washing) House Marker - wide view
To reach the Metaheerhuis, proceed through the covered walkway visible here, which leads into a courtyard. The building is in the rear of the courtyard.
Also see . . .
1. Metaheerhuis (Gouda) (Wikipedia, in Dutch). Excerpt (in translation):
The Metaheerhuis (in Hebrew: Beth Torah) in Gouda was a house where the deceased were washed and purified for burial. The house is located at the rear of the Jewish retirement home, the Central Israelite Old Men and Women's Home for the Netherlands and the Colonies (now: De Haven Building) on the Oosthaven in the Dutch city of Gouda.(Submitted on August 6, 2025.)
Unlike other locations, the Metaheerhuis in Gouda was not located in the Jewish cemetery, but was built in 1899 on the grounds of the retirement home. In the Metaheerhuis (house of purification), the deceased were washed, dressed, and prayers were said. The Jewish cemetery was located on Boelekade until 1930 and on Bloemendaalseweg from 1930 onward.
During World War II, the residents of the retirement home were deported to Westerbork. Most of them were murdered in Sobibor, but also in Auschwitz, Bergen-Belsen, and elsewhere in Central Europe. Two of them died in Westerbork. The building was sold to the ReformedChurch after the war. After the new owner restored it between 1989 and 1994, it was decided to establish the Metaheerhuis as a memorial for all Gouda Jews who were murdered in the Second World War.Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, June 21, 20253. Metaheerhuis / Tahara (Ritual Washing) House
2. Historie (Stichting Metaheerhuis, in Dutch). A short history (in Dutch) of the Metaheerhuis by the foundation that restored it and turned it into a memorial. (Submitted on August 6, 2025.)
Additional keywords. Chevra Kadisha, Beth Torah
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, September 2, 2026
4. Courtyard with Metaheerhuis (Tahara (Ritual Washing) House), 2026
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, June 21, 2025
5. Metaheerhuis / Tahara (Ritual Washing) House Marker - wide view
As noted on the marker, the residents of the old age home were deported on April 9, 1943. Most of them were deported to Westerbork and then ended up being murdered in Sobibor within a month of their deportation. Stolpersteins for more than 60 of them are visible here set in the pavement.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 6, 2025, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 71 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 6, 2025, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. 4. submitted on September 19, 2026, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. 5. submitted on August 6, 2025, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
