WILLEMSTAD – The Sephardic Jewish community in Curaçao is celebrating its 375th anniversary this year. The Mikvé Israel-Emanuel Synagogue is commemorating one of the island’s oldest still-active religious institutions and the oldest synagogue still in use in the Western Hemisphere.
The origins of the Jewish community in Curaçao date back to 1651, when Sephardic Jews settled on the island via Amsterdam. They formed the foundation for the Mikvé Israel congregation.
The current synagogue in Punda, colloquially known as the Snoa, was built in 1732 on the site of earlier prayer houses and grew to become the religious and cultural center of the community.
Throughout the centuries, the Jewish community played a visible role in the development of Curaçao as a commercial and cultural center in the Caribbean region. In the eighteenth century, Jews even formed a considerable part of the island’s white population. The synagogue remained continuously in use throughout this entire period and is internationally recognized as an important historical monument.
Characteristic features of the Snoa include the sand on the floor, the historic wooden benches, and the copper chandeliers from the eighteenth century. The interior reflects the long history of the Sephardic Jewish community and traditions that date back to the time of religious persecution in Europe.
The community in Curaçao has decreased in size and currently counts several hundred members, but remains active. Besides its religious function, the synagogue also plays an important role as cultural heritage and tourist attraction. The 375th anniversary year is being used as an opportunity to reflect on the long history of religious presence on the island and the enduring significance of the Jewish community for Curaçao.
