Historic Synagogue Becomes Computer Center

P A R A M A R I B O, Suriname, Feb. 2 -- Plagued by high maintenance costs, the tiny Jewish community in Suriname has rented out one of the oldest synagogues in the Western Hemisphere for a computer shop and an Internet cafe.

“We had to do this to save the synagogue,” Jewish communityleader Dennis Kopinsky said.

But some in this former Dutch colony in South America areunhappy about the 265-year-old Sedekwe Shalom Synagogue’s unlikelytransformation.

Nathalie Brunings, an Adventist, compared it to the Bible storyin which Jesus drove merchants out of a Jewish temple because hefound it disrespectful. “If Jesus came here right now he would getreal angry,” Brunings said.

The synagogue, a white wooden building erected by SephardicJews, is a landmark in Paramaribo, the capital. It was built in1736, Surinamese historian Andre Loor said — a date that would makeit four years younger than the Mikve Israel-Emanuel Synagogue onthe Dutch island of Curacao, which claims to be the hemisphere’soldest continuously used synagogue.

Dwindling Congregations

Over more than two centuries, the “once flourishing” Jewishcommunity of Suriname has dwindled to about 200 people, accordingto the Israel Museum. The museum in Jerusalem has been displaying18th-century artifacts the Surinamese congregation sent when itcleared out the interior of the synagogue — benches and all — twoyears ago.

The congregation’s decline echoes the waning fortunes of otherJewish communities, many of them with roots in medieval Spain, whoarrived in the Caribbean with the first European colonists.

Kopinsky said the Sedekwe Shalom congregation has only about 60members now, and they now worship at the only other synagogue intown.

“I know in my heart I am not happy with a business centerhoused in a synagogue, but under the circumstances it was the bestdecision possible,” Kopinsky said.

But some Surinamese feel protective of the landmark, regardlessof their faith.