The Founding of Felix Libertate and the split between the Alte and Naye Kille

The society Felix Libertate (Happy through Freedom) was set up in Amsterdam in 1795 after the Patriots took power and established the Batavian Republic. Its purpose was to fight for Jewish civil rights and to achieve equal treatment. A majority of members were Ashkenazim, a few Sephardim joined them, and one third were non-Jewish. The society’s strategy was to win sympathy and support, both inside and outside the Jewish community, for emancipation of the Jews. All members were supporters of the Patriot movement.