Yom Kippur

Suriname has a long and varied Jewish history. Many of the first plantations that were established during Dutch colonial times were done so by Jewish entrepreneurs, many of whom came to Suriname from Brazil after the Dutch were kicked out there. Whilst the Jewish population now is very small, there are still many signs of their former influence, such as the Synagogue in central Paramaribo, the many former plantations and the area known as the Jodensavanne. One should also not be surprised to find people of various shades with Jewish ancestors or Jewish names. In fact, one of black guys working here has a good Ashkenazi name!

The beautiful Synagogue above will not be filled to the brim for the High Holy Days as many a shul will be around the world, in fact it is often hard to get together enough men for a minyan on a Friday and there is no full time Rabbi to lead the congregation. Nevertheless, even in this part of the world a day's fasting and atonement will be done in the age old tradition, albeit in a more relaxed Caribbean way....