WORSHip
One of the blessings of our Jewish community of Curacao being a cosmopolitan crossroads and destination is the ability to pray with both our local community and our visitors and friends from around the world.
How we worship
We are a liberal progressive synagogue rooted in Sephardic culture and tradition.
We are affiliated with both the Reconstructionist Movement and the World Union for Progressive Judaism.
We pray in Hebrew and English and retain a variety of our traditional Portuguese elements.
We use the Mishkan T’filah prayer book along with our traditional Sephardi Torah service booklet.
Prayer Services Protocol
One of the blessings of our Jewish community of Curaꞔao being a cosmopolitan crossroads and destination is the ability to pray with both our local community and our visitors and friends from around the world.
All are welcome – Jewish and non-Jewish. Whether you grew up in the synagogue or this is your first time.
We invite you to join us in this sacred space and share with you our protocols to help orient you to our sanctuary and customs.
Men are required to wear head covering in the synagogue. Women are encouraged to wear head covering and are required to do so when receiving an honor on the Thebah or at the Heychal. Our dress code is casual but neat dress for attendance at our synagogue services. For men, this includes slacks/khakis with a short sleeve dress shirt or polo shirt. For women, we suggest skirt or slacks, blouse that preferably covers up the shoulders. No faded or torn jeans, no shorts, no flip-flops for men or women.
- Head covering (skullcaps) must be worn by men. Women are also welcome to wear a head covering. They are available at the sanctuary entrance, next to the prayer books.
- A head covering is required for all honors during a service.
- Additionally, a head covering and tallit (prayer shawl) are required for honors which involve the Torah.
We are fully egalitarian and have mixed seating. Men and women are able to sit together.
Photography and videography are not permitted during services. If you would like to take photos of the sanctuary, we invite you to return during the week for a tour of the synagogue and visit to the museum.
Thank you for respecting our customs and community and helping to create and maintain our holy space. We cannot wait to meet you and share Shabbat and Holidays together.
Shabbat &
Holiday services
We hold regular Shabbat and holiday services throughout the year and visitors are always welcome to join us.
Shabbat Services
Please join us for Shabbat services each week:
Friday evenings: 18:30 to 19:45, followed by kiddush.
A Family Service is held the second Friday of the month. It is an intergenerational service with stories and activities for young kids.
Saturday mornings: Torah service 10:00 to 12:00, followed by kiddush.
International Lifecycle Celebrations
B’nei Mitzvah
A Bar or Bat Mitzvah in our historic synagogue, which dates back to 1732, will be extra meaningful for a young teen and their family marking this important milestone.
Weddings
Have an unforgettable wedding under the gleaming candlelit chandeliers in front of the ornate mahogany ark.
Renewal of Vows
Renew your vows in our historic sanctuary. It can be held during a cruise if you are here for the day, or during a longer vacation on the island.
Contact us
Email us to schedule a zoom meeting.
We wish to note that the placement of photos in this gallery has been approved by the people portrayed on them.
