Neveh Shalom Synagogue, Wooden synagogue in Paramaribo, Suriname.
Neveh Shalom Synagogue is a wooden building located in downtown Paramaribo that features carefully crafted wooden details throughout its interior. The space includes hand-carved benches, a raised platform at the center for prayer leadership, and a cabinet for holding Torah scrolls.
The building was originally founded in 1719 by Ashkenazi Jews and served the community during the colonial period. A major reconstruction between 1835 and 1837 gave it the form it has today to better accommodate the growing congregation.
The synagogue serves as the central place of worship for the Jewish community in Suriname and preserves traditions that have been maintained for centuries within this diverse Caribbean society. Visitors can see how this place remains meaningful to those who gather here today.
The building can be reached on foot in downtown Paramaribo on Keizerstraat. Keep in mind that the space may not be open to visitors during prayer times, so it is helpful to ask locally about visiting hours before arriving.
The floor is covered in sand, a practice with two layers of meaning: it connects to the biblical desert journey and also recalls a time when prayers needed to be muffled for protection. This unusual feature remains in place today.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
