Mikvé Israel-Emanuel Synagogue
Explore the Mikvé Israel-Emanuel Synagogue, called the Snoa by locals. This sacred place in Willemstad, Curaçao is the oldest "living" synagogue in the Americas.
About the exhibit
This story is part of the Sacred Places exhibit at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis, where you’ll get a glimpse into dozens of faith communities around the world. Visit the exhibit's website to learn more about the Snoa or to explore other sites.
Exterior of Snoa (2023-01) by The Children's Museum of Indianapolis and CyArkChildren's Museum of Indianapolis
What is this place?
Curaçao’s Jewish community was founded by families who traveled to the island from Spain and Portugal via the Netherlands in the 1650s. Built in 1732, the Mikvé Israel-Emanuel Synagogue is now the oldest synagogue in the Americas that continues to have weekly prayer services.
Where is this place?
The Snoa is located in Willemstad, Curaçao. Curaçao is an island in the Caribbean Sea, off the coast of Venezuela. It is a country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Balcony View of Mikvé Israel-Emanuel Synagogue (2023-01) by The Children's Museum of Indianapolis and CyArkChildren's Museum of Indianapolis
What makes this a unique place?
The Snoa is made of many beautiful parts, but the community brings it to life. Blue glass, dark woodwork, and a sand floor add to the Snoa’s unique beauty.
People Singing at Mikvé Israel-Emanuel Synagogue (2023-01) by The Children's Museum of Indianapolis and CyArkChildren's Museum of Indianapolis
What makes this a sacred place?
A synagogue is considered “living” if the community holds religious celebrations, study, and weekly prayers there. Mikvé Israel-Emanuel is the oldest synagogue in continuous use in the Americas!
The Torah at Mikvé Israel-Emanuel Synagogue (2023-01) by The Children's Museum of Indianapolis and CyArkChildren's Museum of Indianapolis
What do people do at this place?
Jewish people believe in one God, who gifted them with the rituals, teachings, and moral practices found in sacred texts like the Torah, which worshippers study as a community. Torah means "teaching," and it contains stories, law and wisdom.
The Torah Heychal (2023-01) by The Children's Museum of Indianapolis and CyArkChildren's Museum of Indianapolis
How is the Torah used in services?
During the Shabbat morning prayer service, members of the Snoa reverently take the Torah scroll from the heychal, its sacred holding place, and read a weekly passage to the community. Shabbat is the Jewish day of rest, from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset.
Service at Mikvé Israel-Emanuel Synagogue (2023-01) by The Children's Museum of Indianapolis and CyArkChildren's Museum of Indianapolis
When do worshipers gather?
On Shabbat, the Jewish day of rest, as well as holidays, the community gathers in the Snoa for religious services that include prayers, songs, study, and reading from the Torah.
Thank you to Nathan Levy Maduro, Michèle Russel-Capriles, Mali Blanken, Esther De Sola-Pijl, Stephan Capriles, Sinuhe and Susi Oomen and family, Christy and Josh Cheis and family, Ron Gomes Casseres, Rene David Levy Maduro and the clergy and congregation of Mikvé Israel-Emanuel Synagogue, Renata Klasson-Nieuwkerk, Phyllis Meit and the Jewish Cultural Historical Museum in Willemstad, and CyArk.
Sacred Places is made possible by Lilly Endowment Inc.
