St. Thomas Synagogue
St. Thomas Synagogue
4.5
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
391 reviews
Excellent
306
Very good
61
Average
16
Poor
4
Terrible
4
James H
Connecticut32 contributions
Apr 2022 • Solo
This is the third time I have visited this synagogue and even so, I found the information gained extremely new and interesting. It is one of only 5 synagogues in the world with sand floor!! The others being in Amsterdam, Kingston Jamaica, Curaçao, and I believe Surinam. I learned that the chandeliers were a gift from a french family, irreplaceable baccarat crystal, and this has been in continuous service since the the late 1700’s.. The guide, whose name I unfortunately did not ask, is enormously informative, knowledgeable and enthusiastic. Their gift shop has wonderful items which support their budget which comes entirely from donations!!
Written April 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rizeek
Barcelona, Spain8 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
Our visit was brief- about 30 minutes including the gift shop- but well worth the time. The impromptu tour was just the two of us, and Agi, our guide, was warm and incredibly knowledgeable. The synagogue is small but the history is as sprawling and fascinating as the Jewish diaspora itself. Please consider supporting it with a visit or donation so it can continue to operate and serve local families and educate visitors for another couple of centuries.
Written October 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Portcruiser
Port Washington, NY125 contributions
Feb 2022
Several friends on our cruise recommended this as a must see because it's the second oldest synagogue in the Western hemisphere. Curacao was the first. Our ship docked in Charlotte Amalie and we took a cab who knew exactly where to go to the top of the hill. We thought that we were just going to get a walk through but we were extremely fortunate that we arrived at 11:30 which was a tour time. Agi gave us a comprehensive tour with a wonderful lengthy history session about the Jewish community and every detail of the synagogue from the sand floor to the five Torah scrolls including a Sepahrdic torah which we have never seen. Agi was so sincere and excellent that we became members to help support the shul.
Written March 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alex H
39 contributions
Jan 2022
I believe this is an important place to visit and learn of our heritage and I want so badly to say it was a great experience BUT the tour guide was not welcoming, did not seam to want us, got very annoyed that another group showed up at the same time and actually really just came across as very unwelcoming. The "tour" meanwhile is just to walk into the sanctuary, give a 10 minute talk and ask for donations. All that we are fine with but c'mon, act like you love it and take pride in it. This is a special and holy place we were proud to see and experience. It just would have been nicer with a smile.
On another note, the President of the congregation was there at the same time and was lovely.
On another note, the President of the congregation was there at the same time and was lovely.
Written February 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BeeMee125
New York City, NY1 contribution
Jan 2023 • Family
May be off the beaten track, but worth it. Agi Rampino, who is the docent, was great to speak with and enjoyed all the detailed information she talked about. Great for those who are Jewish and history buffs alike. It was one of the trip highlights for me.
Written January 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lorri Z
8 contributions
Sep 2021
This ancient synagogue is difficult to get to but so worth the effort. Climbing up the steep hill was challenging but the architecture and historical tour were amazing. Go for services if you can arrange it.
The congregation is made up of vibrant young families who brought in the Jewish New Year with a lot of singing and new music as well as a field trip to the beach to continue their service and cast their sins into the ocean.
The congregation is made up of vibrant young families who brought in the Jewish New Year with a lot of singing and new music as well as a field trip to the beach to continue their service and cast their sins into the ocean.
Written September 8, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jackie L
20 contributions
Feb 2022 • Couples
Very cool and historic synagogue - we visited before our flight without a reservation, they were extremely accommodating when we just showed up and we had a super informative and friendly tour guide. We also got to meet the Rabbi who was very nice. FYI that they require masks and you have to show your vaccination card, so definitely have that (or a picture of it) ready before you go.
We got a very detailed history on the synagogue, the Torah scrolls, the past congregants, and the overall history of Jews on St. Thomas. We are observant Jews (as were the other visitors who were there the same time as us) so we were knowledgeable on it and interested in it, but I imagine more explanation on what things are or less detail is given on tours with people less familiar with Judaism.
No matter what religion you are - this is a very cool place to visit and to see while on St. Thomas (and right downtown!) and I highly recommend it for an informative and different place to go!
We got a very detailed history on the synagogue, the Torah scrolls, the past congregants, and the overall history of Jews on St. Thomas. We are observant Jews (as were the other visitors who were there the same time as us) so we were knowledgeable on it and interested in it, but I imagine more explanation on what things are or less detail is given on tours with people less familiar with Judaism.
No matter what religion you are - this is a very cool place to visit and to see while on St. Thomas (and right downtown!) and I highly recommend it for an informative and different place to go!
Written February 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
awsupermom
Cooper City, FL75 contributions
Feb 2023
My friends and I (5 of us) had a Wonderful girls’ trip to St. Thomas last month and had the Pleasure of attending a Friday night service at the St. Thomas Synagogue. I have wanted to travel to St. Thomas ever since reading Alice Hoffman’s, “A Marriage of Opposites” about the Sephardic Jewish community in St.Thomas in the 1800’s, so it was such a Highlight to experience this historical synagogue during a Bar Mitzvah service. The grandparents of the Bar Mitzvah boy are pillars of the St. Thomas Synagogue and the community in general, so the family imported their Wonderful singer-songwriter husband and wife rabbis from Atlanta to lead the service in this Wonderful place (the synagogue was between rabbis when we were there). The congregation was warm and welcoming, and the grandparents and family invited everyone (congregants, guests, and visitors) to a Beautiful Oneg Shabbat in the Lilienfeld House Community Center across the street following the service. What an Incredibly Memorable Shabbat – such a Simcha!
Written March 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NPSteve
Minneapolis, MN2 contributions
Apr 2022 • Couples
We walked around Charlotte Amalie shopping district and had ice cream before hiking a couple blocks north to “Synagogue Hill.” We met our guide Agi at the gate, showed proof of COVID-19 vaccination, then went inside the synagogue. The floor is covered in an inch or two of sand, one of five synagogues to do so. You might think this is an unavoidable reality in a beach town, but it is actually an homage to persecuted Jews who would put sand on their floors to mask the sound of prayers and movement during times of worship. It’s a moment of instant connection to a resilient and devout people from the past. Agi continued telling us about the history of the synagogue and how Jews ended up in the Virgin Islands. You have to come and hear her tell the story. Finally, Agi showed great reverence for Torah scrolls—some of which were 300 years old. You can take pictures of the scrolls which are worth the hike up the hill to see. Beautiful to look at and just an incredible piece of history that has survived multiple fires. Jews and Christians will appreciate the spiritual aspect while all visitors will find the history and architecture fascinating. Agi was an open and wonderful guide, very knowledgeable, and obviously passionate about her ancestry and the synagogue. It was a highlight of our trip.
Written April 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TennisStar602
Florida509 contributions
Jun 2021 • Solo
I made an online appointment for a synagogue tour. It is the oldest continuous American synagogue, and it is one (1) out of five (5) synagogues in the world to possess a sand floor. Although the tours are free, one is encouraged to buy some merchandise and/or to donate some money. I liked the old Torahs, the architecture, and the tenacity of this congregation to thrive for a few centuries! The history was amazing. Aggie, the docent, was very knowledgeable. I was even invited to Shabbat services on Friday night!
Written June 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Diver119
Baltimore, MD7 contributions
I would like to know your hours on Wednesdays. We arrive on a Royal Caribbean Cruise, Grandeur of The Seas. We have been many times but plan on bringing more from ship who have never been.
Scamper56
Hartford, CT66 contributions
Best bet is also to call them directly. We've been able to get exceptions as far as hours go when we've had visiting guests.
nan100
The Villages, FL9 contributions
What time is it open
Scamper56
Hartford, CT66 contributions
I know they close at 4. Maybe it's 10am(?). I did call before we went there the second time. Parking is at very bottom of hill and synagogue is at very top. Narrow and steep road with virtually non-existent parking on street. Worth the challenge especially with or without docent.
Vjhoegh
London, United Kingdom4 contributions
Could you be dropped off just next to the Synague?
Artnletters
Long Grove, IL44 contributions
Yes, you can!
bns1056
Ossining, NY
We are planning to have a "Destination Bar-Mitzva" for our son and have heard great things about your Synagogue. Who would be the best person to contact regarding the details and planning?
Michael Z. L
Brandon, FL49 contributions
I was planning the same thing for my daughter if they allow it. Not sure if they accept girls to be called to the Torah or not. If not, I heard that a certain part of the Western Wall is being reserved for a mixed gender service but like all things, it's a waiting game. Fortunately, she is only nine so we have a few years to go.
bat7rest
Toronto, Canada
How far is a walk from the cruise port to synagoge.?
Michael Z. L
Brandon, FL49 contributions
It's about 2.4 km away and should take about 45 minutes to walk there. Do yourself a favor and hire a taxi/bus. Just tell them that you want to go to the St Thomas synagogue and ask them if they could drop you off nearby. The streets are narrow and steep so be prepared for an uphill walk. However, they sell a cool t-shirt in the gift shop that says "I climbed the hill to the St. Thomas Synagogue". My kid wore it to Hebrew School and everyone was asking her about it.
sukiem2016
Hollywood, FL
Is this the original building, and if not when was this built?
Michael Z. L
Brandon, FL49 contributions
Janis, to Americans, 183 years is a long time but I understand that Brits think that it's a drop in the bucket. However, if you think about what we have had to endure in St. Thomas, you will see that the Jewish spirit is always being tested and endurance is one of the things us Jews are good at. From the ashes, we rose like the phoenix. After the hurricane, we rebuild. Antisemitism brings us closer together. As for this beautiful synagogue, the oldest in existence under the American flag, the natives and residents of St. Thomas are all quite proud of this beautiful place and everyone on the island knows exactly where it is so finding it is never a problem. Earlier this year, I lost both my parents so being able to go there and say Kaddish for them was quite an honor and definitely a memory worth holding on to.
sukiem2016
Hollywood, FL
My parents were remarried in the synagogue in 1964. Is this the original building?
bernisuds
West Chester, OH148 contributions
Yes, the present building was dedicated in 1833. It is the oldest synagogue in continuous use under the American flag and the 2nd oldest synagogue in the western hemisphere. It is a truly amazing place. Not easy to locate. We had to ask several times before we found it. Well worth the adventure to find it.
susan b
Baltimore, MD5 contributions
Are you open on Friday morning?
bobielo123
Jacksonville, Florida79 contributions
Yes they usually are... and if it holiday they're happy for you to participate in the service
sassythecat
chicago area212 contributions
We will be in port on Christmas Day, Friday December 25th, and would love to visit the synagogue. Would it be possible to see the film and have a tour? We are very active in our local community and always try to "connect" when on our travels and having the opportunity to do so at such an important historical synagogue would be amazing.
Mina O
St. Thomas2 contributions
Hello,
Well, you are in luck!
There will be a Bar Mitzvah in the Synagogue that morning, and you are more than welcome to attend. It is scheduled to begin at 10:30
The Cantor, Diane Krasnick, who will be leading Services, usually begins by telling the people a little about the history and traditions of the Synagogue and our congregation.
We will be closing the building after Services so that our Maintenance man may spend the rest of the day with his family.
As to finding us, every taxi driver knows where we are located and how to get here; if you should encounter a taxi driver who does not know where we are, get out of the taxi.
St. Thomas Synagogue (Charlotte Amalie) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about St. Thomas Synagogue
- We recommend booking St. Thomas Synagogue tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 2 St. Thomas Synagogue tours on Tripadvisor
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- Restaurants near St. Thomas Synagogue:
- (0.02 mi) Stone House Cafe
- (0.03 mi) Virgin Islands Ice Cream Company
- (0.03 mi) Side Street Pub
- (0.03 mi) My Brother's Workshop Cafe and Bakery
- (0.04 mi) Crabbe's Island Grille
St. Thomas Synagogue Information
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