St. Thomas Synagogue
St. Thomas Synagogue
4.5
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4.5
398 reviews
Excellent
311
Very good
63
Average
16
Poor
4
Terrible
4
Alex H
38 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 3 February 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, NY126 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 2 March 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, Spain14 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 28 October 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
New Jersey713 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 23 June 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.
lucsimsthomas
San Antonio, TX369 contributions
Jun 2023
What a beautiful synagogue!! It was worth the trip up the steep hill. We went in because we were hot and tired and this was one of the few places on our self-guided historic walking tour that allowed you to go in.
Inside we found a beautiful facility filled with so much history. There's a museum with lots of information and photos that tell the synagogue's story. The rabbi was there and actually greeted us and answered questions.
The sand floor and why it has a sand floor was fascinating information. We stayed for quite awhile to take it all in.
Inside we found a beautiful facility filled with so much history. There's a museum with lots of information and photos that tell the synagogue's story. The rabbi was there and actually greeted us and answered questions.
The sand floor and why it has a sand floor was fascinating information. We stayed for quite awhile to take it all in.
Written 8 July 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.
Jackie L
27 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 20 February 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.
dive360
Pgh6 contributions
Mar 2020 • Friends
The Synagogue is beautiful inside, yes it has a sand floor and it has a story to tell.... but ya gotta visit Agi in the gift shop to hear it!
Agi is fantastic to speak with and she’s a wealth of information. There is extensive Jewish history in the islands that I was unaware of but Agi knows all of it.
The synagogue is uphill from the main drag - but it isn’t very far. Definitely worth the short walk!
Agi is fantastic to speak with and she’s a wealth of information. There is extensive Jewish history in the islands that I was unaware of but Agi knows all of it.
The synagogue is uphill from the main drag - but it isn’t very far. Definitely worth the short walk!
Written 3 March 2020
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.
KB
Lewisville, TX29 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
This was really an interesting place to visit while exploring St Thomas.
The guide gave us a tour with a lot of information about the history of the building and the Jewish community in the area.
Definitely worth the climb up the hill!
The guide gave us a tour with a lot of information about the history of the building and the Jewish community in the area.
Definitely worth the climb up the hill!
Written 4 February 2024
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 13 January 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, MN3 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 6 April 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.
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.
Written 5 April 2017
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.
Written 18 April 2017
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.
Written 12 December 2016
bns1056
Ossining, New York
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?
Written 13 August 2016
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.
Written 5 October 2016
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.
Written 18 July 2016
sukiem2016
Hollywood, Florida
Is this the original building, and if not when was this built?
Written 6 April 2016
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.
Written 5 October 2016
sukiem2016
Hollywood, Florida
My parents were remarried in the synagogue in 1964. Is this the original building?
Written 6 April 2016
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.
Written 6 April 2016
Yes they usually are... and if it holiday they're happy for you to participate in the service
Written 19 March 2016
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.
Written 14 October 2015
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.
Written 14 October 2015
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