The Hebra Honen Dalim (Merciful to the Poor) Society of Amsterdam

Around the turn of the sixteenth century, increasing numbers of New Christians from Spain and Portugal began to settle in Amsterdam. At first, they returned to Judaism in secret. However, they were later permitted to practice their religion officially, albeit inconspicuously. While many former New Christians were wealthy merchants, poor Jews also settled in the city. As a result, charitable societies were established with the aim of helping the less advantaged socioeconomic levels in the Jewish community. Among them was the Hebra Honen Dalim, which granted loans to Jews in need. The members of the confraternity were required to pay ten florins upon joining the society. Its bylaws, written in Portuguese, outline the amount that poorer Jews could receive as a loan, the surety they were required to give, the pledge to be made, and other regulations for the granting of loans.