Building Name: | Neveh Shalom Synagogue |
Native Name: | Dutch; Flemish: Synagoge Neve Shalom |
Map Type: | Paramaribo |
Location: | Keizerstraat 82 Paramaribo, Suriname |
Geo: | 5.8284°N -55.1592°W |
Religious Affiliation: | Liberal, formerly Orthodox Judaism |
Consecration Year: | 1665 |
Architect: | Jan Francois Halfhide |
Year Completed: | 1723 |
Website: | Israëlitische 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]
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] 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] 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]