Beth Israel Synagogue, Jewish synagogue in Oranjestad, Aruba
Beth Israel Synagogue is a rectangular building with white walls on Adriaan Laclé Boulevard in Oranjestad, featuring traditional Jewish architectural details. The simple interior accommodates the local congregation and visiting Jewish travelers who pass through the island.
The synagogue was completed in 1962, emerging from a community that began organizing in 1946 when Holocaust survivors first arrived on the island. This period marked a significant rebirth of Jewish life in Aruba.
The congregation blends Sephardic and Ashkenazic traditions, shaped by members whose families arrived from Eastern Europe, the Netherlands, and Suriname. These diverse roots remain visible in how the community celebrates holidays and welcomes both local residents and visiting Jewish travelers.
The congregation includes about 75 local members and welcomes visiting Jewish travelers throughout the year under Rabbi Alberto Zeilicovich's guidance. Visitors can observe services or attend specific events by checking ahead with the community about visiting times.
The synagogue grounds contain an old Jewish cemetery with gravestones dating back to 1563, documenting a Jewish presence on the island centuries before the building was constructed. These graves reveal that a community existed here long before the 1946 revival.
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