Neveh Shalom Synagogue

This article is about Neveh Shalom in Paramaribo. For other uses, see Neve Shalom (disambiguation).
Neveh Shalom Synagogue
  • Hebrew: בית הכנסת נווה שלום
  • Dutch: Synagoge Neve Shalom
The synagogue exterior, in 2006
Religion
AffiliationReform Judaism
RiteNusach Ashkenaz
Ecclesiastical or organizational statusSynagogue
OwnershipIsraëlitische Gemeente Suriname
Year consecrated1665
StatusActive
Location
LocationKeizerstraat 82, Paramaribo, Suriname
Neveh Shalom Synagogue is located in Paramaribo
Neveh Shalom Synagogue
Location of the synagogue in Paramaribo
Geographic coordinates5°49′42.2″N 55°9′33.2″W / 5.828389°N 55.159222°W / 5.828389; -55.159222
Architecture
Architect(s)Jan Francois Halfhide (1842)
TypeSynagogue architecture
StyleNeoclassical
Completed
  • 1723 (first building)
  • 1842 (current building)
Website
surinamejewishcommunity.com

The Neveh Shalom Synagogue (Hebrew: בית הכנסת נווה שלום, lit. 'House of Peace'; Dutch: Synagoge Neve Shalom) is a Reform Jewish congregation and synagogue, located in Paramaribo, Suriname.[1] The congregation was established as an Orthodox community who worshipped in the Ashkenazi rite.

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]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Our synagogues". Suriname Jewish Community. Archived from the original on February 3, 2011. Retrieved January 23, 2011.[self-published source?]
  2. ^ a b "Neveh Shalom Synagogue, Paramaribo, Surinam". Museum of the Jewish people. Retrieved May 26, 2021.
  3. ^ a b c Wieke Vink (2002). "Over migranten, suikerplanters, Joodse kleurlingen en religieuze tolerantie". OSO. Tijdschrift voor Surinaamse taalkunde, letterkunde en geschiedenis (in Dutch).
  4. ^ "Stanley Fischer Takes Israel Donors on Synagogue Tour". Bloomberg. Retrieved May 26, 2021.
  5. ^ Chandra van Binnendijk; Paul Faber (1992). Sranan. Cultuur in Suriname (in Dutch). Suriname: Vaco. p. 146.
  6. ^ "Neveh Shalom Synagogue". Lonely Planet. Retrieved May 26, 2021.
  7. ^ "Around the Jewish World from Jewish Haven to Ghost Town: Suriname's Community is Struggling". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. March 20, 2015. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
  8. ^ "Keizerstraat". City of Paramaribo (in Dutch). Retrieved May 26, 2021.