The St Thomas Synagogue

A Jewish community formed on St Thomas in the eighteenth century, largely Sephardic families from Europe and elsewhere in the Caribbean, and the congregation has held services continuously since 1796; the present building dates from 1833, the second oldest synagogue in the United States after Touro Synagogue in Newport, and it kept its services going even after the hurricanes of 2017 damaged it. Its floor is sand, a feature found in a handful of Caribbean synagogues, generally explained as a memorial to the desert or to the years when Sephardic Jews in Iberia worshipped in secret and muffled their footsteps. Mahogany benches, an 1833 ark and hanging lamps fill the small interior.

What's there

• The sand floor - the Sephardic feature the synagogue is known for.
• The 1833 building - in continuous use since, through the 2017 hurricanes.
• The mahogany interior - benches, ark and hanging lamps.
• The small museum - the congregation's history alongside.

When to go

Year-round; open to visitors on weekdays with limited hours and closed for Shabbat and holidays. Mornings are quietest. Modest dress is expected and men are asked to cover their heads, with coverings provided.

Things to know

It is small and takes half an hour. Hours are limited and it closes for services and holidays, which catches out visitors. It is a working congregation rather than a museum, and photography inside is restricted. The hill up from the waterfront is steep.

Nearby

The 99 Steps are a few streets east; Fort Christian is on the waterfront.

Key facts