Neveh Shalom Synagogue

Paramaribo, Suriname

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The Neveh Shalom Synagogue in Paramaribo, Suriname, is one of the oldest Jewish congregations in the Americas, with roots dating back to 1665.

The current synagogue building, completed in 1842, is a beautiful wooden structure designed in a neoclassical style and remains an active center of Jewish worship and community life. The synagogue is especially known for its distinctive sand-covered floor, a tradition that recalls both the Israelites’ journey through the desert and the secret worship practices of Jews during the Spanish and Portuguese Inquisitions.

Its interior features finely crafted wooden furnishings, historic Torah scrolls, and a small museum highlighting the history of Jews in Suriname. One of its most remarkable features is its location beside the Keizerstraat Mosque, a symbol of Suriname’s long tradition of religious tolerance and cultural diversity. Together, the two neighboring houses of worship represent the peaceful coexistence that characterizes much of Suriname’s multicultural society.