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“ST. THOMAS SYNAGOGUE--A NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK” mentioning the Department of Interior was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E1455-E1456 on Sept. 13, 2000.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
ST. THOMAS SYNAGOGUE--A NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK
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HON. DONNA MC CHRISTENSEN
of the virgin islands
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, September 12, 2000
Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the St. Thomas Synagogue, formally, the Synagogue of Beracha Veshalom Vegemiluth Hasidim, or in English, ``the Synagogue of Blessing and Peace and Acts of Piety,'' located on Synagogue Hill overlooking Charlotte Amalie Harbor in the Federal Historic District of Charlotte Amalie, the capital of the United States Virgin Islands.
Today, September 12, 2000, marks the 167th Anniversary of the consecration of the St. Thomas Synagogue. This synagogue, a well-
preserved structure, built 167 years ago today in 1833, is indeed rich in history, culture and architecture. It is the second oldest synagogue in the Western Hemisphere and the oldest in continuous use under the American flag.
For many Virgin Islanders, the St. Thomas Synagogue is a reminder of tolerance and equality, as well as of European expansion into the new world during the Spanish Inquisition of 1492. Practicing Jews were expelled from Spain during that period. As a result of this exodus, many Jewish families established themselves in the then Danish West Indies which are now the U.S. Virgin Islands. Some of the surnames which date back to that time are still present in the Virgin Islands today such as: Maduro, Castro, Sasso, Levin, Bornn, and Monsanto.
The St. Thomas Synagogue is also revered as among one of the most architecturally interesting buildings on St. Thomas. This one story, three-bay front building measures forty feet by fifty feet, is rectangular in shape. Its foundations, made of masonry with lime mortar and plaster, and its walls, made of brick and cut stone load-bearing masonry walls with lime mortar and plaster, are still strong and sound. Its interior is emaculate with preserved artifacts and furniture centuries old. The most fascinating aspect is its flooring--13" marble tiles and covered with one inch of loose sand, a poignant reminder of the time when they had to worship in secret. The sand on the floor is a remnant of the days of the Marranos, Jews during the Spanish Inquisition who were forced to convert to Christianity but who secretly practiced their Judaism. Since practicing their faith was punishable by death, they met in cellars with sand covering the floor in order to muffle the sounds of their prayers.
On Friday, September 15, 2000, the United States Department of Interior will honor the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Hebrew Congregation of St. Thomas at a ceremony formally designating the St. Thomas Synagogue as a National Historic Landmark.
On behalf of the Congress of the United States of America, I congratulate the Hebrew Congregation of St. Thomas on attaining this honor and salute them for their dedicated service and contributions to the United States Virgin Islands.
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