Synagogue "Mikve Israël", the oldest, still in operation, in the America's (photo RDMZ 1996)

3.  MIKVE ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE

Location: Hanchi di Snoa 29, Punda

Ownership: Netherlands Portuguese Israel Congregation

Mikve Israël Synagogue, 1730. Detached corner building, of two storeys with three adjoining saddle-back roofs covered with red pantiles. The saddle-back roofs are enclosed by gable ends. The gable ends display the Jewish year 5940 (= 1732 AD). To the left and right of the Western facade is an arch under the balcony or room above the stairs to the women's gallery.

Synagogue "Mikve Israël" - Interior, view to the East (photo RDMZ 1996)

The interior consists of a long hall divided into three barrel vaults carried by four heavy round columns and four pilasters placed against the Eastern and Western facades. The women's galleries are in the aisles, each supported by two arches, and the organ gallery is in the Western facade. In the nave are the teba or bema [pulpit] and the hechal or ark. The pews are situated in the aisles and the banca is against the Northern facade.

The floor finishing is the traditional sand. The interior is further enriched by copper crowns, copper and silver candelabra and copper rimmonim stands (decorated with pomegranates).

Synagogue "Mikve Israël" - Interior, view to the West with the organ (photo RDMZ 1996)