The Nidḥe Israel Synagogue (Hebrew: בית הכנסת נדחי ישראל Bet Knesset Nide Yisrael, lit. Synagogue of the Scattered of Israel) is currently the only synagogue situated in Bridgetown, Barbados. It also holds the distinction of being one of the oldest synagogues in the western hemisphere and a Barbados National Trust property.
Built in 1654, it was destroyed by a hurricane in 1831, was rebuilt, fell into disrepair until it was sold in 1929.
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The Nidḥe Israel Synagogue (Hebrew: בית הכנסת נדחי ישראל Bet Knesset Nide Yisrael, lit. Synagogue of the Scattered of Israel) is currently the only synagogue situated in Bridgetown, Barbados. It also holds the distinction of being one of the oldest synagogues in the western hemisphere and a Barbados National Trust property.
Built in 1654, it was destroyed by a hurricane in 1831, was rebuilt, fell into disrepair until it was sold in 1929.
About 300 Jewish people of Recife, Brazil, persecuted by the Portuguese, settled in Barbados in the 1660s. Skilled in the sugar industry, they quickly introduced the sugarcane crop and passed on their skills in cultivation and production to the Barbados land owners.
With their help, Barbados went on to become one of the world's major sugar producers and one of the richest European territories in the West Indies.
From the time that the synagogue was deconsecrated in 1929, it underwent numerous changes. The women's gallery that looked down on the altar...
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