**Candles for the Synagogue **On July 19, 1622, notary Laurens Lamberti knocks on the door of the Portuguese Symon Franco. Symon lives in the second house on the Turfsteeg in Amsterdam (see map). Notary Lamberti is at Franco's house at the request of the city's candle leaseholders. Franco has 24 large and small white wax candles in a side room. The notary wants to know who owns these 24 candles and who made them. Franco does not speak Dutch. Fortunately, a maid lives in the house who speaks both Dutch and Portuguese. Franco explains - via his maid - that he made the candles himself, *commissioned by his church* (the synagogue)*.*