What is this place? Mikvé Israel-Emanuel Synagogue—Judaism (Front main panel) 

This panel depicts the sand-floor synagogue, a Jewish sacred site in Curacao. The country of Curacao is an island in the Caribbean Sea just north of the country of Venezuela in South America. The label reads, “What is this place? This is the Mikvé Israel-Emanuel Synagogue, called Snoa for short. Curacao’s Jewish community was founded by families who traveled to the island from the Netherlands in the 1650s. Built in 1732, the Snoa is now the oldest synagogue in the Americas that continues to have weekly prayer services.”  

Along the bottom of the panel, a sand-like flooring with a waved edge resembles the sand floor inside the synagogue. The built environment in the center of the panel consists of two white cylindrical columns on either side of the pulpit, a wooden carved wall. Near the top half of the pulpit, a video loops of a young Jewish man named Nathan leading prayers and songs at his community’s morning Shabbat service.  

Extending outward from each pillar is a background image along the panel wall. On both sides, there are white walls and ceilings meeting wooden railings along upper balconies. On the main level, several arched windows with blue-tinted glass and wooden shutters are set into the deep wall. Small golden-colored candle sconces adorn the walls and golden-colored candle chandeliers hang from the ceiling.  

Community Celebrations—Judaism (Backside of main panel) 

On the reverse side of the main panel, there is an image of community members and followers of all ages raising a small cup of wine during a Kiddush, or blessing, after morning prayer service within the synagogue. The label reads, “Followers of Judaism often live and worship as a community. Together they pray, observe holidays, celebrate milestones, teach traditions, and take care of one another. Jewish people believe in one God, who gifted them with the rituals, teachings, and moral practices found in sacred texts like the Torah, which worshipers study as a community.” 

In front of the panel wall to the left is a display case holding materials found within the synagogue’s architecture: a slice of mahogany wood from a beam, blue glass, and sand from the floor of the synagogue. A Kiddush cup that looks like a silver goblet, a replica loaf of Challah bread, and a cloth used to cover Challah bread sit in a display case centered along the panel. You may hear a recording of blessings and celebrations that sometimes take place after the Kiddush blessing in Curacao, such as singing “Happy Birthday” in six languages.  

Display case of items from the faith—Judaism  

Between the panels for this sacred site, there is a display case containing many objects sacred to the Jewish faith and services. The display case contains a Torah scroll, rimonim, and a Torah cover. On the other side of the display case hangs a tallit shawl and a yad pointer.