Mikvé Israel-Emanuel Curaçao, N.A.

A Brief Historical Sketch

1499

The island of Curaçao is discovered by Spanish explorer Alonzo de Ojeda during Columbus’ third voyage of discovery.

1634

Samuel Coheno, most probably a converso or crypto-Jew, sets foot on Curaçao. (A translator, he accompanies the expedition of the Dutch West India Company under Admiral Johan van Walbeek. Records show that he remains for eight years as Administrator to the Indians and then returns to the Low Countries.)

1651

There is no evidence of an actual Jewish community being established on Curaçao until 1651 when a Portuguese Jew, Joao Ilhao (or d’Illan), founds an agricultural settlement along the northern shore of the Santa Anna Baai in Curaçao. And so it is that Sephardic Congregation Mikvé Israel (i.e.” The Hope of Israel”) is founded, making it, today, the oldest active Jewish congregation in the Americas.

1654

When the Christian Inquisition follows the Portuguese flag to Brazil, the pioneer Dutch Jewish settlers who had sought religious tolerance there since 1651, are forced to flee. One small group goes to New Netherlands (now New York), but the majority flees back to the Low Countries. Later on, some of them immigrate to the small Dutch haven of Curaçao where there is already a small settlement of Sephardic Jews from Amsterdam.
(Emigration from Amsterdam continues steadily during the second half of the 17th century. The strategically located, excellent natural harbor of Willemstad, the expanding economy and the liberal Dutch atmosphere, are among the great attractions for adventuresome Sephardic Jews in the seventeenth century.)

1659

1668

The “Beit Haim Blenheim” cemetery of Congregation Mikvé Israel, thought by many to be the oldest “Caucasian” as well as the oldest Jewish Cemetery in the Western Hemisphere, is consecrated near their plantations. [Although there may be older graves, the oldest tombstone recognizable to researchers, is that of Judit Nunesda Fonseca, dated 1668(?).)

1674

-	The eminent Hakham (Sephardic equivalent of Rabbi) Josiao Pardo arrives from Amsterdam to serve Congregation Mikvé Israel.
-	In that same year, a building is purchased by the Jews of Curaçao to serve as their first synagogue within the walled city of Willemstad. (Services, during the preceding two decades, had probably been held in private homes or in rented quarters near the fields.)

1692
1703

A second city building is consecrated in 1692. And, as the Jewish Community expands and flourishes, a third building- their first synagogue to be built in the city- is consecrated in 1703.

1715

The Jewish community founds a Benevolent Society, making this the first of many benefactions. (Of particular interest to Americans is the fact that when Congregation Shearith Israel (the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue of New York, oldest Jewish congregation in the United States),

1729

was building its synagogue in 1729, the Jewish community of Curaçao sent a generous donation. Not very long afterwards, the Jews of Curaçao again demonstrated their feelings for the small Jewish community in the British colonies, by sending donations to Newport, Rhode Island, to help pay for the construction of the oldest existing synagogue building in the United States today, the “Touro Synagogue”, consecrated in 1763.)

1730

Begun in 1730, this sixth Curaçao synagogue (The current home of the old Sephardic community of Curaçao is the Synagogue on the corner of Hanchi di Snoa and Columbusstraat.), is consecrated on the

1732

eve of Passover 5492, making it the oldest synagogue building still standing and in continuous use in the Western Hemisphere.
(Through most of the 18th century, the Jewish community of Curaçao was the largest, the wealthiest and the most influential Jewish community in the Americas. In the 18th and 19th centuries, there were Jewish schools, burial societies, philanthropies and all the other tokens of a thriving Jewish community. Leading Hahamim (Rabbis) served the congregation, as did Hazzanim (Cantors) and Hebrew teachers (generally known by the title Ribi or Rubi), until the last quarter of the 19th century.)

1740

1746

In the year 1740, a second congregation is organized for the convenience of those Jews living in Otrobanda (i.e. the section of Willemstad to the west or “on the other side” of the harbor entrance). The new congregation, Nevé Shalom” (i.e. “Peaceful Habitation” – Isaiah 32:18), consecrates its own synagogue building in 1746. (Through most of the years of its brief existence, this second congregation was under the authority of the Directiva of Congregation Mikvé Israel.)

1750

There is an unfortunate controversy between the two congregations which can only be settled by the direct intervention of Prince William Charles Henry Friso of Orange Nassau. The Prince issues a decree ordering “…that all the dissenting members of the Jewish Portuguese nation on Curaçao…shall again join the congregation to be governed as of old by the Parnassim and Board of the Synagogue according to the Jewish Portuguese constitution…” The prince’s decree also calls for the holding of “…a solemn and general thanksgiving and prayer-day…” to celebrate the end of the quarrel. Both Jews and Christians attend this service conducted by Hakham Samuel Mendes de Sola on August 19, 1750.

1761

Hakham Ishaac Carigal arrives on Curaçao shortly after the death of Hakham de Sola (1761) and is prevailed upon to remain and to lead the community until the return of the next Curaçao chief rabbi, Hakham Jacob Lopes da Fonseca, who has been studying at the Eits Haim Seminary in Amsterdam and who would return to Curaçao in 1764.

1762

Of particular interest to students of American Jewish history is the fortuitous arrival on Curaçao of Hakham Ishaac Carigal in the year 1762. (Carigal is to achieve fame in the American colonies one decade later when he serves the new synagogue in Newport, Rhode Island, and enters into his now famous friendship with the learned minister Ezra Stiles, who would later become president of Yale University. Carigal is also known to have covered most of the world in those days of hazardous travel, seeking funds for the “yeshivot” (Talmudic academies) of Palestine.

1764

Hakham Lopes da Fonseca conducts the religious affairs of the community for an amazing fifty-two years, until his death in 1815.
(For the next forty-one years, the leadership of the congregation is in the hands of a succession of Hazzanim and Dayanim (lay leaders), until the arrival of the eminent Hakham Aron Mendes Chumaceiro from Amsterdam.)

1856

-	Hakham Chumaceiro (whose descendents still live on Curaçao) serves Mikvé Israel nobly during a period of economic decline. (By the middle of the 19thcentury, many Jews had left Curaçao seeking greater economic advantage elsewhere in the Caribbean and on the North and South American main-lands. This exodus continues until well into the 20th century.)
-	Congregation Nevé Shalom is dissolved, which leaves only one active congregation on Curaçao.

1864

-	The community is split over the question of “modernizing” and “embellishing” the orthodox ritual of the Synagogue, and Dutch Reform Emanu-El Congregation is formed by the dissenters.
-	The rift is deep and painful and even leads to the consecration by the Reform group of a new Jewish cemetery on Berg Altena.

1866

-	Mikvé Israel inaugurates its 634-pipe Flaes & Brunjes organ on the especially constructed balcony above (and behind) the Thebah.
-	The Curaçao Ladies Benevolent Society is founded to care for the poor among the congregation’s ladies.

1867

The Reform group- the first Sephardic Reform congregation in the world- consecrates itsTemple on the Wilhelminaplein in 1867 just a couple of blocks south of historic Synagogue Mikvé Israel.
(In the absence of a professional spiritual leader for TempleEmanu-El during its early years, questions of ritual are submitted to Rabbi Samuel Adler, the eminent leader of Temple Emanu-El of New York, who serves as the “father” of Temple Emanu-El on Curaçao.)
From a high of close to 2,000 in the late 18th century, the Jewish population of Curaçao shrinks to a few hundred in the early decades of the 20th century.

1916

(The Shell refinery is established adjacent to the “Beit Haim Blenheim” cemetery on what was known since 1651 as the “Jooden Kwartier” or “Jewish Quarter.”

1920

1933

There begins an influx of Ashkenazim (Central and Eastern European Jews) to Curaçao in the 1920s and 30s. This results in the establishment of their own social “Club Union” on the Bargestraat in Scharloo in 1933. (In the early years of this community, services were held in the club rooms.)

1954

The Netherlands Antilles consisting of six islands, becomes an autonomous member of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

1957

Publishing of Precious Stones of the Jews of Curaçao (1656-1957), written by Rabbi Isaac S. Emmanuel.

1959

Ashkenazi Orthodox Congregation “Shaarei Tzedek” (i.e. “Gates of Righteousness”) is incorporated at Scharlooweg 39-41.

(In the late 1950’s and 1960’s, it becomes clear that the two Sephardic congregations cannot continue to survive separately. Ideological differences between the members of Congregation Mikvé Israel and Temple Emanu-El have disappeared and there is hardly any residue of the animosity which had led to the 19th century split. And so, conversations aimed toward a reunion of the two historic congregations, are initiated.)

1962

B’nai B’rith Curaçao Lodge 2389 is founded, to act among others, as a bridge between the two Jewish congregations on Curaçao.

1963

A period of trial merger begins between the two Sephardic congregations on Curaçao, with services being conducted in the historic 1732 building.

1964

-	The reunification of the two Sephardic congregations becomes a fact with the official name of the congregation now becoming the “United Netherlands Portuguese Congregation Mikvé Israel-Emanuel”.
-	(Although the congregation has always prided itself with the excellent state of repairs of its Sanctuary, age has taken its toll and certain drastic maintenance measures are needed in the 1960’s and 70’s.)
-	The wooden-plank ground floor in the Sanctuary is completely replaced with a cement floor- covered, of course, with its traditional thick blanket of white sand. (The flooring under the Thebah, Heychal and Banca are not replaced as this would have meant dismantling these furnishings.)

1968

The Mikvé Israel Sisterhood is established

1969

-	The George Maduro Chapter of BBYO is founded.
-	The Heychal doors are first opened in the Snoa during a Friday evening service.
-	Curaçao erupts with riots caused by labor unrest.

1970

-	The Jewish Cultural Historical Museum opens its doors in a fully restored 1728 building adjacent to the Synagogue
-	Publication of History of the Jews of the Netherlands Antilles, by Rabbi Dr. Isaac S.and Suzanne A. Emmanuel.

1974

(Even more drastic maintenance measures are required and a major restoration of parts of the building has to be undertaken.) The old, clay-shingle roof is replaced with an identical, but new one; the rotten wooden beams and braces in the attic/roof, and the ladies’ galleries are replaced with new wood and steel (covered by a wooden façade)); the electrical installation is replaced; the walls are completely re-plastered and repainted (both inside and out); and the Sala Consistorial, Administration and Rabbi’s offices are completely renovated.

The Mongui Maduro Foundation, established to perpetuate the memory of Salomon A.L. Maduro, incorporates his Judaica and Antilliana books and other collectables into a library in the old plantation house at Rooi Catootje.

1975

(Reconstructionist Federation grants women full equality in religious practice.)

1976

(Women are admitted for the first time as full members in B’nai B’rith Curaçao Lodge.)

1980

(Beatrix is crowned Queen of the Netherlands.)

1982

-	The Snoa building’s 250th Anniversary is marked with a week of activities.
-	“JoodenKerkstraat” (Jewish st1:Street Church Street) is re-named “Hanchi di Snoa” (Alley of theSnoa) by the Curaçao Island Council in honor of the Snoa’s 250th Anniversary.

1985

The congregation installs its first desk-top computer for administrative purposes.

1988

Documents and manuscripts stolen from the congregation’s archives, are scheduled for auction at Christie’s in Amsterdam. The Congregation, after vain attempts to stop the sale, purchases back the most important documents.

1989

(The Temple building is sold.)

1990

Pope John II visits Curaçao.

1992

-	During an official visit to Curaçao, the Royal family (Queen Beatrix, Prince Claus, Crown-Prince William Alexander and the Princes Johan Friso and Constantijn), attends a special service in Mikvé Israel-Emanuel to commemorate “400 Years of Religious Freedom under the House of Orange”.
-	The “maquette” (scale model) of the Snoa, donated by the Curiel families, is unveiled at the Beit Hat’ futsot Museum of the Diaspora in Tel Aviv, Israel.
-	The “TNO cement rot” proof project is conducted on the outside walls of the Synagogue.
-	A woman opens the Heychal doors in the Snoa for the first time during a Friday evening service.

1995

-	The Snoa is placed on the official list of National Monuments.
-	The two-year "Areivim project” established on behalf of the Community Hebrew School, is co-sponsored by the two Curaçao Jewish congregations and several private donors.
-	A joint, Jewish community service attended by many local dignitaries, is conducted in the Snoa in memory of Yitzhak Rabin.
-	The congregation introduces Kol Haneshamah, the new ReconstructionistDaily and Shabbatprayer books, into its services.
-	The “3,000th Anniversary of the Establishment of Jerusalem” is celebrated in the Snoa.
-	The Anne Frank Exhibition is displayed in the WTC on Curaçao.
-	Renowned author and speaker Elie Wiesel delivers a lecture entitled “Against Indifference” to some 1400 guests at the WTC.

1997

Willemstad is placed on the UNESCO World Heritage List).

1998

-	The Congregation’s By-Laws are amended (for the first time since the 1964 merger) to grant women full statutory equality with men in all congregational affairs.
-	The “Sisterhood” is dissolved.

1999

The first women are installed into the Directiva of Congregation Mikvé Israel-Emanuel.

2000

-	First steps are taken to professionally re-organize and catalogue the congregational archives.
-	The image of MI-E’s (1716) silver Hanukkiah is engraved on the face of the State of Israel- 5761 half-shekel Hanukkah coin in honor of MI-E’s 350th Anniversary. Women are granted full equality in ritual and a two-year transitional procedure is put in place.

2001

-	Mikvé Israel-Emanuel celebrates the 350th Anniversary of its founding with a week-long celebration. Guest of Honor is Crown Prince William Alexander of the Netherlands.
-	“Beit Haim Blenheim” is declared a “historical site”.

2002

-	Men and women are granted full equality in the Snoa’s rituals and the first women are caled to the Torah during Shabbat morning services.
-	The (1866) pipe organ is dismantled and shipped to The Netherlands for restoration. (The restoration costs are covered primarily by a gift presented to the Congregation by the Government of The Netherlands as part of the Congregation’s 350th Anniversary celebration.)

2003

-	The congregation’s first female president is installed.
-	The restored pipe organ returns to Curaçao, is re-assembled and then inaugurated during festive ceremonies.