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Synagogue | History | Ritual | Membership | Rabbi |
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ST. THOMAS SYNAGOGUEVisit our website at: http://www.onepaper.com/synagogue/
The Synagogue was built in the Sephardic style, since its original congregants migrated as a result of the Spanish Inquisition. In Sephardic architecture, the seating permits congregants to face one another instead of theater-style, as in Ashkenazic and most stateside synagogues. Also in keeping with Sephardic architecture, the bimah is opposite the arc in which our six Torahs are housed. The sand on the floor is a remnant of the days of the Marranos, Jews during the Spanish Inquisition who were forced to convert to Christianity but who secretly continued to practice their Judaism. Since practicing Judaism was punishable by death, they met in cellars with sand covering the floor in order to muffle the sounds of their prayers.
History of the CongregationIn 1796, Jews of St. Thomas founded this congregation and called it "Blessing and Peace." Only nine Jewish families belonged to the congregation in 1801. However, in 1803 it increased to 22, with arrivals from England, France, St. Eustatius, and Curaçao.
The congregation numbered 64 families when a citywide fire destroyed its synagogue in 1831. It was rebuilt and reconsecrated in 1833, with help of worldwide Jewry and the entire island community. It is the oldest Synagogue in continuous use under the American flag. A religious service has been held every Sabbath since 1833 except September 15, 1995, when Hurricane Marilyn devastated our entire island. Our synagogue also holds the distinction of holding the first confirmation ceremony for Jewish youth ever in the Western Hemisphere. The first confirmation took place on October 14, 1843, right in our sanctuary. In 1850, the congregation numbered between 400 and 500 souls and the King of Denmark sanctioned and approved a constitution for the Khillah (community). This code of law governed the Jewish community, regulated its membership dues and established its voting procedures with great precision. Jews held offices of trust and honor in St. Thomas. This period of Jewish activity on St. Thomas was significant and can only be equaled by the present years. By 1942, the numbers of Jews on St. Thomas dwindled to about 50. In the 1950s, the growth of the Jewish population mirrored the general population. The census of 1959 showed more than 125 Jews lived on the island. In 1973, the congregation numbered about 80 member units, and by 1983, the number has grown to 125. In that year the congregation celebrated the 150th year of its synagogue building. In 1995/1996 the congregation celebrated its 200th year of existence in St. Thomas. The month of September 1995 was the designated month for the start of the celebrations – but that was also the month of Hurricane Marilyn, which destroyed much of the island and heavily damaged our social hall, the Lilienfeld House. The hurricane did not cancel the bicenntenial celebration, but it did disrupt the flow of congregational life.
Ritual Practices:
Today we are a Reform Congregation. The low wooden walls in the Synagogue served as a m'chitzah to separate the women from the men during the early years when the Congregation was Orthodox. Since our Synagogue is the only one on the island, we serve the religious needs of a diverse Jewish population and – in the spirit of "k'lal Yisrael" – we minister to the entire Jewish community.
We observe High Holy Days, Sukkot, Simchat Torah, Hanukkah, Tu'Bishvat, Yom HaShoa, Yom HaAtzmaut, Shavuot and other special events. We hold the first Passover Seder in our homes, and include as many visitors as we can. We hold the second Seder at Lilienfeld House, our social hall, for the congregation and visitors. We celebrate weddings, Bar and Bat Mitzvah and Confirmation. We also maintain two historic cemeteries.
MembershipWe are a small community of about 80 full-time member units, and 15 Sponsors (part-time island residents). Of the full-time residents, 40 are single members and 40 are families. We also have more than 1,000 Chai members. A Chai (from the Hebrew word for life as in L'chaim) member is someone who does not live in St. Thomas but wishes to help maintain this historic Synagogue and help provide a spiritual home for all those who travel to our shores. In times of need, we are here not only for our members but also for travelers. Our Sanctuary and our social hall are available for life-cycle ceremonies of non-members. A vital part of our budget comes from visitors who leave a tzedakah contribution in the box at the entrance door to the Sanctuary, and through visitors becoming Chai members. There are two categories of Chai membership:
Chai members are a vital part of this Congregation. Whether they come from the mainland of the United States or any other place in the world, their contributions help us perpetuate our 207-year-old Congregation, the oldest in continuous use under the American flag. They help connect us to the outer world, and they help make possible the continued existence of a vibrant and historic Jewish community.
The Hebrew Congregation of St. Thomas depends on its Chai members. We cannot tell you how important these contributions are to maintaining this special Synagogue and community.
To become part of our Congregation as a Chai or Lifetime Chai member, e-mail us at hebrewcong@islandsvi or call 340-774-4312. You can also send your check to:
Hebrew Congregation of St. Thomas We will need the following information:
Thank you !
Rabbi Starr graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a degree in Political Science. He spent a year studying in Jerusalem and received a BHL and an MHL degree. He was ordained a rabbi at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati, in 1969.
Rabbi Starr has served as president of the Northeast Region of the Central Conference of American Rabbis, was on its national board, and chaired the youth commission. He has been a board member of the Jewish Federation of Greater Manchester and received the National Rabbinic Leadership Award from the National UJA.
A passionate friend of Israel, Rabbi Starr has visited there more than 20 times, leading interfaith groups and co-founding the Shalom Center for Jewish Christian Dialogue at Notre Dame College with Dr. Phillip Cunningham.
For the last few years, Rabbi Starr has been involved with "Synagogue 2000," a study and action program of worship reform, and has begun, with members of the synagogue, transforming worship services into moments of joy and spirituality.
In the great tradition of diversity which sets the United States apart from scores of other nation's populations, the U.S. has three additional resources to celebrate its status as a "melting pot" of culture and ethnicity: St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas. These three virgin Island gems - comprising the official U.S. territory while at the same time geographically part of the Caribbean - may be small in acreage, but large in cultural heritage.
Copyright © 2001, 2002 UJCL.
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Our beautiful synagogue, declared a National Historic Landmark, is an architectural and historical gem in the middle of the Caribbean. Visitors of all faiths experience wonder and awe standing within its simple and stately interior. It is a must-see for all who visit St. Thomas.
In 1804, that small synagogue was destroyed by fire and replaced by another in 1812. The congregation continued to grow and, in 1823, the building was dismantled and a larger one erected and renamed “Blessing and Peace and Loving Deeds" – the Hebrew name it carries today. This structure was built on Synagogue Hill, on the spot where our current synagogue stands.
We hold a Shabbat service every Friday night. We are served by a full-time Rabbi, ordained at the Hebrew Union College in the United States. The religious school meets weekly. Our Sisterhood is active in both the congregation and the community at-large.
Rabbi Arthur Starr is the Hebrew Congregation of St. Thomas' spiritual leader. He recently retired after 31 years as the Rabbi of Temple Adath Yeshurun in Manchester, N.H., and then was named Rabbi Emeritus at Adath Yeshurun.