Sand Floor Synagogue Curacao
The jewish faith has has been practiced here without interruption since 1732.
Sand floor synagogue curacao. There are a number of churches and taverns in the netherlands dating to the 17th century that likewise have sand floors. It was therefore practical to line the floor in the synagogue with sand to keep it tidy. The official language of curaçao is papiamentu. Attached museum is well worth the 10pp we spent 2 hours there definitely the best museum in curacao that we.
Like an act of moving meditation the synagogue attendant smooths over a week s worth of footprints on the sand floor of mikvé israel emanuel in willemstad curaçao. There are two theories behind this unusual occurrence. The portuguese synagogue in amsterdam explains that covering the floor with fine sand is an old dutch tradition meant to absorb dust moisture and dirt from shoes over and above muffling the noise. The next time you find yourself standing in the sand try to think about how your actions affect others.
Several explanations exist for the purpose of the sand. One is to represent the israelite journey through the desert. Discover mikvé israel emanuel synagogue in willemstad curaçao. The floor of the oldest surviving synagogue in the americas is entirely covered in sand.
Oldest synagogue in the western hemisphere it is sephardic and has sand covered floors. The fifth synagogue with a sand covered floor is the portuguese synagogue esnoga in amsterdam the netherlands. It is commonly known as the snoa short for esnoga an old portuguese and ladino word for synagogue and is a major tourist attraction in curaçao with one notable. Then remember the small but determined jewish community of curaçao and their incredible sand filled synagogue.
As already mentioned only five synagogues in the world have a sand floor. He glides a rake in long arcs until the sand resembles freshly poured concrete occasionally kicking up a swirl of dust that catches the warm light pouring through the windows. As caribbean based houses of worship go the mikvé israel emanuel synagogue in curacao or the snoa as it s affectionately known locally rests on exceptionally hallowed ground. The hope of israel emanuel synagogue in willemstad curaçao is the oldest surviving synagogue in the americas.
The esnoga synagogue was near the edge of town where most of the streets were unpaved and thanks to the weather often muddy. The sand covered floors of mikvé israel emanuel synagogue. It is a. Just imagine all the prayers love and healing you can pack into 280 years.