Shaare Shalom Synagogue

Kingston


Jamaica’s only synagogue is an attractive white building dating from 1912. It's usually locked, though on weekdays there is often someone in the little office around the back who will open it up for a small donation. The hall adjacent to the synagogue houses a small but interesting exhibition on the history of Jamaica’s Jewish community.

Sand muffles your footsteps – the practice dates from the time of the Inquisition when Jews had to worship in secret, and is a gesture of solidarity by local Jews, who were never subject to religious restrictions in Jamaica.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Kingston attractions

1. Gordon House

0.08 MILES

Jamaica’s parliament meets at Gordon House, immediately north of Headquarters House. The rather plain brick-and-concrete building was constructed in 1960…

2. Headquarters House

0.09 MILES

The brick-and-timber house was originally known as Hibbert House, named after Thomas Hibbert, reportedly one of four members of the House of Assembly who…

3. Liberty Hall

0.2 MILES

At the end of a tree-lined courtyard, decorated with cheerful mosaics and a mural depicting Marcus Garvey, stands Liberty Hall, the headquarters of Garvey…

4. Beat Street

0.24 MILES

Beat Street is the popular name for Orange St, running north from the corner of Parade. It's one of the great wellsprings of Jamaican music and was home…

5. Coke Memorial Hall

0.27 MILES

The crenelated redbrick building facing East Parade is the 1840 Coke Memorial Hall, named after the founder of the Methodist churches in the Caribbean,…

7. Ward Theatre

0.29 MILES

At North Parade, the distinguished Ward Theatre, built in 1911, once hosted the annual Boxing Day pantomime – a riotous, irreverent social satire. Sadly,…

8. Statue of Queen Victoria

0.29 MILES

An imperious statue of Queen Victoria stands unamused at the eastern side of Parade, erected in 1897 for her diamond jubilee. As well as noting her role…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "jamaica/kingston/attractions/shaare-shalom-synagogue/a/poi-sig/1421629/358074",
      "destination": "Kingston",
      "continent": "Caribbean",
      "country": "Jamaica",
      "city": "Kingston",
      "position": "superzone"
    }