Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Jamaica Shaare Shalom Synagogue

Shaare Shalom Synagogue

One of just five sand-floor Jewish synagogues in the world.

Kingston, Jamaica

Added By
Julie Bielenberg
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
  Chad Chisholm
Chad Chisholm  
  Chad Chisholm
  Chad Chisholm
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Today, there are just five sand synagogues remaining in the world. Three of them are located in the Caribbean, on the islands of Curacao, Jamaica, and St. Thomas. One is in Suriname, and one is in the Netherlands, where the concept of a sand synagogue was first born.

The Kingston sand floor synagogue in nestled into a quiet street in the bustling island capital. Visitors are welcome if they contact the synagogue in advance and receive permission. The wooden rows, perfectly groomed sand, and high ceilings are authentic to the island and Sephardic traditions.

The Shaare Shalom Synagogue that stands today was built in 1912, after an earlier building at the site was damaged during the Kingston earthquake of 1907. But Jamaica's Jewish community has deep roots. The Spanish occupation of Jamaica lasted from 1494–1655, and during that time a number of Jewish settlers came to the island. Multiple synagogues were constructed across the island in the 17th century.

Related Tags

Colonialism Jewish Synagogues

Know Before You Go

There are Friday night services and occasionally events on Saturday. The grounds are stunning to walk around as well. There are actually over 20 Jewish cemeteries on the island (one beneath the Red Stripe factory), even with a total modern day population of 200 Jews.

Community Contributors

Added By

jbielenberg

Published

September 21, 2023

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://jewishmuseum.org.uk/2020/10/13/jews-in-jamaica/
  • https://www.jewsofjamaica.com/about-us
  • https://www.haaretz.com/2012-08-10/ty-article/jewish-footprints-in-the-caribbean-sand/0000017f-f979-d318-afff-fb7b781b0000
Shaare Shalom Synagogue
Kingston
Jamaica
17.975056, -76.790139
Visit Website

Nearby Places

Sunken Pirate City at Port Royal

Port Royal, Jamaica

miles away

Folly Ruins

Port Antonio, Jamaica

miles away

Firewater Pond

Runaway Bay, Jamaica

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Jamaica

Jamaica

Caribbean

Places 6
Stories 5

Nearby Places

Sunken Pirate City at Port Royal

Port Royal, Jamaica

miles away

Folly Ruins

Port Antonio, Jamaica

miles away

Firewater Pond

Runaway Bay, Jamaica

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Jamaica

Jamaica

Caribbean

Places 6
Stories 5

Related Places

  • The medieval synagogue’s intricate artwork has been restored.

    Córdoba, Spain

    Córdoba Synagogue

    This medieval synagogue survived the Inquisition as a hospital and church.

  • One of the galleries in the modern section of the Manchester Jewish Museum.

    Manchester, England

    Manchester Jewish Museum

    A Victorian synagogue-turned-museum chronicles centuries of Jewish life.

  • The inside of the synagogue

    Golan

    Ein Keshatot (Spring of the Arches)

    This sixth-century synagogue was first reconstructed digitally, then in real life.

  • The outside of the synagogue in Piazza Giuseppe Mazzini.

    Modena, Italy

    Modena Synagogue

    This beautiful 150-year-old synagogue survived Italy's fascist period and the Second World War.

  • Prayer Hall.

    New Delhi, India

    Judah Hyam Synagogue

    This synagogue is the only place of worship for New Delhi’s small Jewish community.

  • The museum in 2012.

    Shanghai, China

    Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum

    A wall within the institution displays the names of 13,000 Jews who took refuge in the city during World War II.

  • The floor mosaic, with the zodiac in the center and the Torah ark above.

    Tiberias, Israel

    Zodiac Mosaic of Hammat Tiberias

    The mosaic floor of a 4th-century synagogue features a pagan zodiac wheel alongside traditional images of a Torah ark and menorahs.

  • Temple Beth Shalom.

    Cayman Islands

    Temple Beth Shalom

    This tiny, charming synagogue in the Cayman Islands was built by a man as a present for his Jewish wife.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.