Efforts to Preserve Jewish Heritage in Suriname
In April, a significant fire damaged historic buildings in Paramaribo, the capital of Suriname. Among the structures at risk was the Neveh Shalom Synagogue, a key part of the community’s history. As firefighters worked to protect the city, volunteers at the synagogue took it upon themselves to preserve thousands of historical documents that tell the story of the Jewish population in Suriname, dating back to the 1700s.
Fortunately, the fire did not reach the synagogue, but it served as a stark reminder of the threats these valuable records face from nature and the passage of time. The synagogue holds over 100,000 important documents, including birth records and letters, all of which are crucial for understanding the Jewish experience in the region.
Rosa de Jong, a Dutch academic, has been leading a project to digitize these records. Her work focuses on the history of Jewish refugees during World War II, particularly those who fled to Suriname. She views the preservation of these documents as a vital responsibility connected to her research.
After completing her studies at the University of Amsterdam, De Jong returned to Suriname, funded her own trip, and equipped herself with the tools necessary for digitizing the archives. Her efforts have resulted in an impressive collection of over 600 gigabytes of data, which will be shared with the National Archives of Suriname.
Suriname has long been a sanctuary for Jews in the Americas, a fact dating back to the 17th century when they were granted autonomy by colonial powers. Many Jewish individuals sought refuge in Suriname after being expelled from other areas. Notably, during a particularly dark time—the Holocaust—more than 100 Dutch Jewish refugees arrived in Paramaribo on Christmas Eve in 1942, bringing with them stories of survival and hope.
Among those refugees was Liny Pajgin Yollick, who recalled her emotional arrival to the sound of the Dutch National Anthem, a song she never thought she would hear again. The experiences of Jewish life and resilience in Suriname are beautifully captured in the archives, which include a magazine called Teroenga, celebrating the Jewish community’s liberation after World War II.
At the heart of this preservation project is Lilly Duijm, a dedicated 78-year-old who has been caring for these records for over 20 years. Lilly, who spent part of her life in the Netherlands before returning to her homeland, understands the importance of this archive deeply. She expressed a heartfelt commitment to maintaining the history of her people, emphasizing that as long as the archive exists, her legacy will endure.
Through these efforts, the Neveh Shalom Synagogue and its community continue to honor their past, reminding future generations of the rich heritage they carry forward.
