Mary Reid

Jews first settled in Jamaica 350 years ago (coincidently, about the same time that they were re-admitted to England). They were escaping persecution in Spain and Portugal and the names from those countries are still prevalent in the community.

Back in Europe Jews had met clandestinely in basements and they had laid sand on the floor to quieten their footsteps. In memory of this, the synagogue here in Kingston has a unique sand floor.

It is an impressive building and beautifully maintained. It has thirteen Torah scrolls - far more than most synagogues - but they do suffer somewhat in the humid climate.

We were privileged to be shown round by the president of the synagogue, Michael Matalon.


The interior with its sand floor


Michael Matalon, the synagogue president, telling us about the Torah scrolls

My main reason for visiting Kingston Synagogue was to bring greetings from Rabbi Danny Rich and the Liberal Jewish community in Kingston upon Thames. They will, no doubt, keep in touch.