Sand Floor Synagogue

Jews first settled in st.

Sand floor synagogue. The building is in very good condition and. The fifth synagogue with a sand covered floor is the portuguese synagogue esnoga in amsterdam the netherlands. The island is the site of a second sand floor synagogue. The wikipedia page on the st.

Sand floor synagogues can be found in four other locations in jamaica in surinam in saint thomas and in the portuguese synagogue of amsterdam. One is to represent the israelite journey through the desert. By 1850 the jewish community numbered 400. A synagogue drawn in the sand.

The wikipedia page on the st. Several explanations exist for the purpose of the sand. It was therefore practical to line the floor in the synagogue with sand to keep it tidy. 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 custom may have originated in amsterdam where sand was used to dry mud on people s shoes. The sand floor tradition is one of the last remaining manifestations of dutch portuguese jewish life in this area but it is also a tradition that could hold the key to mikvé israel emanuel s. One visitor to the synagogue observed upon entering through a quiet courtyard viewing the azure stained glass windows and walking across a sand covered floor toward the carved mahogany holy ark that the sand floors remind congregants of how its jewish ancestors on the iberian peninsula covered the floors of their makeshift prayer houses so. As already mentioned only five synagogues in the world have a sand floor.

Thomas in 1655 when it was ruled by denmark. There are two theories behind this unusual occurrence. Several explanations exist for the purpose of the sand. We are the oldest synagogue building in continuous use under the american flag the second oldest in the western hemisphere and only one of five synagogues in the world with sand on the floor.

Fine sand was scattered over a wooden floor for preservation of building materials but this could also be used to help conceal judaic practices by muffling sounds of worship and prayer. Our community is special. An inclusive and welcoming jewish center for those who live here we also maintain a world wide connection with thousands. The fifth synagogue with a sand covered floor is the portuguese synagogue esnoga in amsterdam the netherlands.

One is to represent the israelite journey through the desert.