You might think the sand on the floor is a Caribbean thing, but the St. Thomas Synagogue in Charlotte Amalie, and apparently four other synagogues in the world, has another reason for applying this very special feature. They just don’t know what it is… There seem to be a few differing stories going around. One being it commemorates the exodus from Egypt. The original meaning has become obscured. Still it is an unusual element, and an amusing one, I think. In my opinion the only reason for visiting the Congregation Beracha Veshalom Vegmiluth Hasadim. For a tourist.
The synagogue is situated in a residential area in Charlotte Amalie, and it is not the easiest to locate. After coming back down the hill to town, I was told by a woman I met on the way that I shouldn’t have gone up there by myself as the neighbourhood wasn’t safe. Don’t know if I was lucky, but I had nothing happen. It was a very quiet area. The only other people I met was, I guess, the man in the photo, and a couple going inside the synagogue as I was leaving.
St. Thomas was a port on my cruise with Celebrity Cruises.
Website: synagogue.vi
I have been in a number of synagogues and this is the most informal I have seen. I love the idea of sand on the floor.
I thought it was quite unique too. And when I read that there are a handful only in the world, it became even more unique 🙂
Couldn’t help but click over as I’ve never thought or heard about a tropical synagogue before 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Apparently I chose a good headline 🙂 I thought it had a tropical twist with the sand on the floor, and being located in the Caribbean 🙂
It so interesting that they don’t know the reason! But I would go just to stick my feet in the sand inside a place of worship! Interesting mix!
Yes, very interesting mix. I tried to do some research on it, as there was no one in the synagogue to ask. I found different stories, and even read about a person connected to the synagogue who wasn’t sure which of the stories are correct.
That’s very funny! Maybe one day someone will uncover the reason why!
Really cool! So sad they have forgotten the reason why, since it is such a remarkable feature.
How interesting that no one knows why there’s sand on the floor! Thank goodness nothing happened to you while visiting that area! #WanderfulWednesday
I looked like a huge question mark, when the lady said I shouldn’t have gone up there by myself. Didn’t feel unsafe at all. It is very peculiar that no one has decided to figure out why, since it is such an unusual feature.
Well this is a first as I’ve never seen a synagogue that had sand on the floor. It’s a shame that no one knows why this tradition is maintained. Super interesting.
Me too! Totally agree!