ABSTRACT
The leaders of the Reform Congregation of Amsterdam got talking with Jaakov Zutan (1914–1976) during a reception at the Israeli embassy. They were looking for a Dutch rabbi for their shrinking congregation; it was the only way Reform Judaism in the Netherlands would have a chance of survival. Jaakov Zutan’s real name was Jacob (Jaap for short) Soetendorp and he had emigrated to Israel as a Zionist. But in 1953 he decided, for various reasons, to return to the Netherlands with his family. He was looking for a good job.
