Neveh Shalom Synagogue

5°49′42.2″N 55°9′33.2″W / 5.828389°N 55.159222°W / 5.828389; -55.159222ArchitectureArchitect(s)Jan Francois HalfhideCompleted1723WebsiteIsraëlitische Gemeente Suriname

The Neveh Shalom Synagogue (Hebrew: בית הכנסת נווה שלום, lit. House of Peace) is the only synagogue of the Ashkenazi community in Suriname.^[1]

History

The lot on Keizerstraat 82 was acquired in 1716 by Sephardi Jews. The original building was completed in 1723.^[2] The first Surinamese synagogue was located in the Jodensavanne, originally built of wood between 1665 and 1671 (but already rebuilt with bricks), however many had moved to Paramaribo.^[3]^: 38 Originally, the synagogue was for both the Ashkenazim and the Sephardim community.^[3] The synagogue was sold to the Ashkenazim in 1735, and the Sephardim formed a separate community known as Tzedek ve-Shalom.^[3]^: 39 The two communities have merged in the 1990s,^[4] and hold services in alternating buildings and alternating rites.^[5]

The current synagogue on the Keizerstraat 82 lot, designed by architect J.F. Halfhide, was completed in 1842. Construction started on 3 July 1835 in the presence of Prince Henry of the Netherlands.^[2]

The synagogue contains a small museum about the history of the Jews in Suriname.^[6]

Over the years the synagogue has transitioned from Orthodox to liberal, accepting interfaith couples and non-Jews.^[7]

The Mosque Keizerstraat is adjacent to the synagogue.^[8]

Neveh Shalom Synagogue next to the Mosque Keizerstraat

Gallery

References

^ "Suriname Jewish Community website". Archived from the original on 2011-02-03. Retrieved 2011-01-23.
^ ^a ^b "Neveh Shalom Synagogue, Paramaribo, Surinam". Museum of the Jewish people. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
^ ^a ^b ^c Wieke Vink (2002). "Over migranten, suikerplanters, Joodse kleurlingen en religieuze tolerantie". OSO. Tijdschrift voor Surinaamse taalkunde, letterkunde en geschiedenis (in Dutch).
^ "Stanley Fischer Takes Israel Donors on Synagogue Tour". Bloomberg. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
^ Chandra van Binnendijk; Paul Faber (1992). Sranan. Cultuur in Suriname (in Dutch). Suriname: Vaco. p. 146.
^ "Neveh Shalom Synagogue". Lonely Planet. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
^ "Around the Jewish World from Jewish Haven to Ghost Town: Suriname's Community is Struggling". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved 2022-12-31.
^ "Keizerstraat". City of Paramaribo (in Dutch). Retrieved 26 May 2021.

External links

Boehm, Guenter (1979). "6". The Synagogues of Surinam. Journal of Jewish Studies. pp. 98–104.
"Neveh Shalom Synagogue, Paramaribo, Surinam". The Museum of the Jewish People at Beit Hatfutsot. Retrieved March 10, 2013.
Neve Shalom Web site
Discovering Suriname's Jewish past - and present Washington Post, February 18, 2011