The Sha'are Shalom Synagogue, officially the Kahal Kadosh Sha'are Shalom (Holy Congregation of the Gates of Peace), also known as the United Congregation of Israelites, is a Reform Jewish congregation and synagogue, located in the city of Kingston, on the island of Jamaica.
| Sha'are Shalom Synagogue | |
|---|---|
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Reform Judaism |
| Rite | Nusach Sefard |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Synagogue |
| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | Duke Street, Kingston |
| Country | Jamaica |
  Location of the synagogue in Jamaica | |
| Administration | United Congregation of Israelites |
| Geographic coordinates | 17°58′30″N 76°47′24″W / 17.9751°N 76.7901°W |
| Architecture | |
| Date established | c. 1880s |
| Completed |
|
| Specifications | |
| Capacity | 600 worshippers |
| Materials | Concrete block |
| Website | |
| jewsofjamaica | |
History
editWith the influx of Jews to Jamaica in the 17th century, multiple synagogues were constructed across the island in such cities as Montego Bay, Spanish Town, Port Royal, and Kingston. Originally, two synagogues were built in Spanish Town, the Sephardi K.K. Neveh Shalom ("Habitation of Peace") consecrated in 1704, and the Ashkenazi K.K. Mikveh Yisrael ("Hope of Israel") erected in 1796. These two congregations would later merge as Jews began to migrate from Spanish Town to Kingston, the new capital city.
As in Spanish Town, two congregations (Sephardi and Ashkenazi) existed in Kingston. Initial attempts to form a merger were unsuccessful. The United Congregation of Israelites constructed the original Sha'are Shalom synagogue in 1885, but an earthquake destroyed it. The building was reconstructed by the Henriques Brothers in 1912. This structure still stands. In 1921, the Ashkenazi community merged with the Sha'are Shalom Synagogue to form a unified congregation which continues to exist.[1]
On 23 March 2002, Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan visited Shaare Shalom, his first visit to a synagogue,[2] in an attempt to repair his controversial relationship with the Jewish community.[3] Farrakhan was accepted to speak at Sha'are Shalom in the native country of his father, after being rejected to appear at American synagogues, many of whom feared sending the wrong signal to the Jewish community.[3][2]
The synagogue can accommodate more than 600 persons for services in its sanctuary. Its sanctuary floor is covered in sand (from the Sephardi custom) to remind persons of the time when Jews covered their floors with sand to muffle the sound of their prayers during the Spanish Inquisition. The sanctuary also features a 52-stop pipe organ. Though once an Orthodox community, the Sha'are Shalom synagogue now belongs to the Reform branch of Judaism, also incorporating prayers in both Hebrew and English.
In 2012, a Nyabinghi (a Rastafarian sect) concert was held at the synagogue as a part of the Kingston On The Edge urban arts festival.[4]
Adjacent facilities
editThe congregation maintains the Hillel Academy, one of the top prep schools in Jamaica. The school has a total enrollment of more than 800 students and maintains a non-denominational status. It additionally maintains a museum of Jamaican Jewish history adjacent to the synagogue. As a collector of historical Judaica from all over the island, it is considered one of the finest historical collections in the Caribbean.
See also
edit
References
edit- ^ "Jamaica". Jewish Virtual Library.
- ^ a b Muhammad, Richard (2 April 2002). "A new beginning in Jamaica". The Final Call. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
- ^ a b "Louis Farrakhan's first visit to a Jewish Synagogue... 'It took courage to bring me here'". Jamaica Gleaner. 26 March 2002. Archived from the original on 16 October 2010.
- ^ Cooper, Carolyn (1 July 2012). "Rastafari reclaim Jewish roots". Jamaica Gleaner. Retrieved 19 February 2020.