Shaare Shalom Synagogue, Reform Jewish synagogue in Kingston, Jamaica
Shaare Shalom Synagogue is a house of worship with white walls that holds more than 600 worshippers in its main hall. A 52-stop pipe organ provides music, while the structure is built from concrete blocks.
The building was constructed in 1912 after an earthquake destroyed the original structure from 1885. In 1921, the congregation united Sephardi and Ashkenazi communities under one roof.
The synagogue holds a collection of Caribbean Jewish objects and shows how Hebrew and English prayer traditions blend in daily worship. Visitors see here a living mixture of different Jewish cultures rooted in the island community across generations.
The building is located on Duke Street and is accessible by entering through an office at the back of the structure. A small donation is typically expected when visitors wish to view the interior.
The sanctuary floor is covered with sand, a practice from the Spanish Inquisition period that was used to muffle prayer sounds. This unusual practice preserves the memory of a difficult time and remains a visible feature of the space today.
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