Rembrandt and the Jews with Richard Rinberg

The connection between one of the world’s greatest painters, Rembrandt, and the Jewish community of seventeenth century Amsterdam has been commented upon by many over the last three centuries. This presentation will explore that connection and critically enquire as to the truth of statements made, copied and repeated. Were many of his portraits, described as Jews, Jewish? For example, was “The Jewish Bride” in fact Jewish? In “Belshazzar's Feast”, where did Rembrandt learn to paint Hebrew letters in the manner that he did? What was his relationship with Rabbi Menasseh Ben Israel? Was his 1648 etching “Jews in a Synagogue” drawn from an actual synagogue? The presentation will feature a number of Rembrandt’s masterpieces and images taken of old books, documents and trips to Amsterdam.

Richard Rinberg was born and raised in London U.K. He holds a B.Sc. Honours Degree in Mathematics from University College London and is a Member of The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. His business career in the City of London included being elected an Underwriting Member at Lloyd's of London Insurance Market and a Member of the London Diamond Bourse. After retiring and making Aliyah with his wife and four children in 1996, he became President and then Chief Executive Officer of an Oil & Gas Exploration Company publicly traded on NASDAQ with offices in both Dallas and Israel. After retiring from business (a second time), he spends his time travelling and researching and collecting Judaica and Jewish Art, and attending lectures/conferences at the Hebrew University and Bar Ilan, as well as giving presentations on Jewish Art. He is an authorized guide at Yad Vashem. He has recently completed, together with Professor Hayim Tawil, writing a book on the Akkadian background of the Hebrew Biblical text, scheduled to be published by Gefen in the coming weeks.