Shaare Shalom Synagogue
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Kahal Kadosh Sha'are Shalom (Holy Congregation of the Gates of Peace), also known as the United Congregation of Israelites, is a historic synagogue in the city of Kingston on the island of Jamaica.
History
With the influx of
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]
Today
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
The congregation maintains the
On June 24, 2012, a
See also
References
- ^ Jamaica at Jewish Virtual Library
- ^ a b Muhammad, Richard (2 April 2002). "A new beginning in Jamaica". The Final Call. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
- ^ Jamaica Gleaner, 26 March 2002.
- ^ Cooper, Carolyn (1 July 2012). "Rastafari reclaim Jewish roots". Jamaica Gleaner. Retrieved 19 February 2020.