tzilahjewishcultureandhistory:
After they left Jodensavanne, the Sephardi Jewish community settled in Paramaribo, the capital of Suriname. They no longer owned plantations, but worked in various trades.
During the 18th century, Ashkenazi Jews also started to immigrate into Suriname (mostly from Germany). They often came from poor backgrounds, and never took part in the plantations, because they lacked specific knowledge about agriculture. They settled down in Paramaribo.
Both communities soon built their own Synagogues. In 1736 the Sephardic community built the Sedek Ve Shalom Synagogue in the Heerenstraat. The first Ashkenazi Synagogue was built in 1723, in the Keizerstraat. It was replaced in 1833 by the Neve Shalom Synagogue that still exists today.
An old history book, ‘The History of the Jews in Suriname’, written by Nassy in 1788, also mentions a Jewish community of Mulattos: This community called itself Darhe Jesarim and they had a Synagogue on the Sivaplein. Unfortunately nothing is left of this place.
Pictures:
1. ‘Hoogduitsche Israëlitische Synagoge, Paramaribo’ – Eugen Klein, 1900. (Ashkenazi Neve Shalom Synagogue)
2. ‘Synagoge aan de Heerenstraat’, Temminck Groll & Coenraad Liebrecht. 1963. (Sephardic Sedek Ve Shalom Synagogue)