Ringing in the Sheaves - We Shall Come Rejoicing

The St Thomas Synagogue

Tucked away at the top of one of St Thomas's never ending hills in town (Charlotte Amalie) is the synagogue of St Thomas.  The Hebrew congregation, founded in 1796, has built this historical landmark building in 1833.

The interior is beautiful and symbolically built to last.  The benches, the ark and the bimahs are all made of mahogany.

Fresh tropical flowers are on display daily for visitors to enjoy.

One of the more unique aspects of the building is the sand covered floor.  There are a couple of theories about why this is done, but the prevailing idea is that this is symbolic of the Israelite journey through the dessert.

The building has an historical center with more background information on the congregation as well as the building, plus a visitor's gift shop offering beautiful Judaical items with a Caribbean flair.

ALL SAINTS EPISCOPAL CHURCH St Thomas... It's no Chanute

Shawn, if you double click this picture, the magic of the internet will make the photo bigger, where you will see that they are holding a parking spot for a new priest.