Surabaya Synagogue

Surabaya Synagogue, also known as Beth Shalom Synagogue, was a religious building in Surabaya that occupied a converted private residence. Located on Kajoon Street near the Mas River, the structure featured traditional Jewish architectural elements and served the local Jewish community for decades.

Iraqi Jews established the Israelitische Gemeente Soerabaia congregation in 1923 as their community grew in the city. The building was acquired in 1948 to provide a dedicated space for their religious practices and gatherings.

The synagogue served as a gathering place for Jewish families from Iraq, the Netherlands, and various European countries who had settled in Surabaya. Both Sephardic and Ashkenazic traditions coexisted within its walls, shaping the spiritual identity of the local community.

The building remained active until 2009, when declining membership and local circumstances led to its closure. The structure was demolished in 2013, leaving no remaining physical traces for visitors to explore.

Community members had to register under different religious affiliations in official documents, as Judaism lacks formal recognition among Indonesia's six authorized religions. This legal constraint forced the congregation to navigate an unusual bureaucratic situation.

GPS coordinates: -7.26663,112.74924

Latest update: December 10, 2025 20:04