Caribbean....

EXPLORING JEWISH CULTURE

CARIBBEAN-STYLE

When most people think of exploring the Caribbean, they think of crystal-clear water, cool breezes, and sandy beaches. But smart Caribbean explorers also find much more on Curacao and St. Thomas, where there is extraordinary Jewish culture, Caribbean-style.

A strong Jewish heritage exists on many Caribbean islands, but it is especially prevalent on Curacao and St. Thomas. The Jewish community of the Caribbean has played a major part in Caribbean and Jewish history, from the Spanish inquisition to today. The synagogues of Curacao and St. Thomas make it easy to explore.

Curacao, a picturesque island 40 miles off the coast of Venezuela, has a rich Jewish heritage dating back to 1651, when 12 Jewish families from Amsterdam crossed the Atlantic to establish a new congregation. Soon after, Jews from Portugal and Brazil, who were escaping from religious persecution, joined the Jewish community (which numbered more than 2,000 by the early-1700s).

Built in 1732, the Mikve Israel-Emmanuel Synagogue is the oldest synagogue in continuous use in the western hemisphere. It was consecrated on the eve of Passover in 1732 and antedates the first U.S. synagogue by 31 years.

A fine example of Dutch colonial architecture, the synagogue is reminiscent of the old Portuguese synagogue in Amsterdam and features a pastel yellow facade and gabled roof. Adorned with silver and brass, the synagogue's lofty ceiling is a dramatic contrast to the floor, which is covered with a thick carpet of white sand. Other highlights include a beautiful theba, a 17-foot-high Holy Ark, and a raised banca canopied in mahogany.

Adjacent to the synagogue courtyard is the fascinating Jewish Cultural Historical Museum. There are many ritual, ceremonial, and cultural objects on display, several of which are used by the congregation for special events. Included is the synagogue's original mikvah, a collection of ancient prayer books, a 100-year-old seder table setting, and silver from the 17th and 18th centuries. The synagogue also has a small gift shop.

Curacao is part of the Netherlands Antilles and is an ideal Caribbean tourist and scuba diver destination. For further information, contact the Curacao Tourist Board, 400 Madison Ave., Ste. 311, New York, NY 10017, 212/751-8266 or 800/332-8266.

St. Thomas is truly an American paradise for many vacationers. One of the highlights of exploring the island is a visit to the synagogue, located in downtown Charlotte Amalie.

The Hebrew Congregation of St. Thomas, established in 1796, is one of the oldest synagogues in continuous use under the American flag and the second oldest in the Western hemisphere. Two wooden synagogues were destroyed by fire, until the present one was built in 1833 of red bricks, rubble, and a mortar made of beach sand and molasses. It was reconsecrated as "B'racha v'shalom u'gemilut hasadim" ("Blessing and peace and loving deeds").

This congregation also has many treasures, including: antique, silver-handled Torah scrolls; a 12th-century brass menorah, and a stunning 18-armed French chandelier suspended from the dome of the sanctuary. There is also a small gift shop at the entrance to the synagogue.

With the upcoming bicentennial of the congregation, it's an ideal time to visit St. Thomas and this fascinating synagogue. Part of the U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Thomas features the same language, the same currency, and no need for a passport. For further information, contact the U.S. Virgin Islands Division of Tourism, 1270 Ave. of the Americas, New York, NY 10020, 212/332-2222 or 800/USVI-INFO.