History
With the influx of History of the Jews in Jamaica, 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. On 23 March 2002, Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan visited Shaare Shalom, his first visit to a synagogue, in an attempt to repair his controversial relationship with the Jewish community."Louis Farrakhan's first visit to a Jewish Synagogue... 'It took courage to bring me here'"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 Spanish Inquisition. The sanctuary also features a 52-stop pipe organ. Though once an Orthodox Judaism, Orthodox community, the Sha'are Shalom synagogue now belongs to the Reform Judaism, Reform branch of Judaism, also incorporating prayers in both Hebrew and English. The congregation maintains the Hillel the Elder, Hillel Academy, one of the top Preparatory school (UK), 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 History of the Jews in Jamaica, Jamaican Jewish history adjacent to the synagogue. As a collector of historical Jewish ceremonial art, Judaica from all over the island, it is considered one of the finest historical collections in the Caribbean. On June 24, 2012, a Nyabinghi (Mansion of Rastafari), Nyabinghi (a Rastafarian Mansions of Rastafari, sect) concert was held at the synagogue as a part of the Kingston On The Edge urban arts festival.See also
*History of the Jews in Latin America and the CaribbeanReferences
{{Reflist Jewish Jamaican history Jewish Spanish history History of Jamaica Buildings and structures in Kingston, Jamaica Reform Judaism in North America Reform synagogues Synagogues completed in 1912 Sephardi Jewish culture in the Caribbean Sephardi Reform Judaism Sephardi synagogues Synagogues in Jamaica Tourist attractions in Kingston, Jamaica 1912 establishments in Jamaica