The Caribbean is not all about sandy beaches, its about sandy synagogues too.
During this turbulent period in history, all non-Christians, including Jews, were forced to convert to Christianity.
Many of these converts, however, continued to practice Judaism, but secretly.
And sand provided a means to this secrecy.
The Mikve Israel-Emanuel Synagogue in Willemstad, Curacao.
Notice the sand on the floor.
But soon these gatherings began to get too large raising concern that the noise might betray their clandestine congregations.
While this is the most likely explanation, there are some who maintain that the sand is merely symbolic.
But many historians refute these theories.
As already mentioned, only five synagogues in the world have a sand floor.
They are:
The Mikve Israel-Emanuel Synagogue in Willemstad, Curacao.
Photo credit:www.snoa.com
Photo credit: Brennan Linsley/AP Photo
Shaare Shalom Synagogue in Jamaica.
Photo credit:www.jewishpost.com
Sources:Haaretz/Colorzine
