Publications
Archaeology of Cassipora Creek
Hidden within Suriname's jungle, the Jodensavanne Archaeological Site reveals the remnants of a 17th-century Sephardic Jewish settlement that thrived under Dutch colonial rule. This study uncovers how Jewish colonists, many descendants of Spanish and Portuguese conversos, strategically embraced notions of whiteness to secure their legal standing in colonial society while contributing significantly to European imperial expansion. Through historical, archaeological, and remote sensing data analysis from Cassipora Creek and Jodensavanne, the research sheds light on the complex interplay between Jewish communal identity, citizenship, and racial ideologies during the early modern period. It also highlights the experiences of black and mixed-race Jews within a plantation society, offering a nuanced perspective on their roles in shaping colonial dynamics.
De Jodensavanne. Ontstaan, geschiedenis en behoud van een Joodse site in Suriname
Jodensavanne, located 70 kilometers south of Paramaribo on the right bank of the Suriname River, represents the first and only semi-autonomous Jewish settlement in the New World. Established around 1650, it was the largest Jewish community in the hemisphere at that time, attracting labor forces with privileges such as religious freedom, land ownership, and a separate court system. The site's synagogue ruins stand as the first architecturally significant building in America and one of the oldest, symbolizing the pioneers of American Judaism. By 1832, the community had relocated to Paramaribo, leaving Jodensavanne uninhabited. This study by Gyssels and Sijlbing (2021) examines the challenges faced by this historical site today, focusing on its preservation and memory. The research likely employs historical analysis and archival documentation to shed light on the site's significance and current conservation needs.
Jewish Autonomy in a Slave Society: Suriname in the Atlantic World, 1651–1825 by Aviva Ben-Ur
A groundbreaking study reveals that the Jewish community in Suriname, particularly at Jodensavanne, thrived not as a haven of religious freedom but as a frontier settlement deeply intertwined with colonial slavery. Aviva Ben-Ur challenges the romanticized narrative of Jodensavanne by exposing its reliance on enslaved African labor and its role in advancing imperial interests. The research employs an Atlantic history model to center the voices of enslaved peoples, highlighting their agency and integration into Jewish society through practices like slave concubinage and manumission. This approach corrects previous scholarship that marginalized enslaved Africans, demonstrating how Eurafrican Jews emerged as a distinct class with cultural and institutional independence, reshaping our understanding of Caribbean Jewish history.
Remnant Stones: The Jewish Cemeteries and Synagogues of Suriname. Epitaphs , and: Remnant Stones: The Jewish Cemeteries and Synagogues of Suriname. Essays , and: Creole Jews: Negotiating Community in Colonial Suriname (review)
A groundbreaking analysis reveals that Suriname's Jewish cemeteries and synagogues, particularly those in Jodensavanne, serve as 'open air archives' offering profound insights into the religious life, social dynamics, and racial identity of early American Jewish communities. The study challenges traditional historiography by integrating material culture and iconography alongside textual evidence, uncovering a rich visual vocabulary used by Surinamese Jews to convey beliefs, life stories, and status. Through meticulous transcriptions and translations of 1,700 epitaphs spanning six languages (1666–1904) and detailed architectural analysis of four cemeteries and the Kahal Kados Beraha VeSalom synagogue (1685), researchers demonstrate the central role of these sites in shaping early American notions of race, gender, and sexuality. The findings underscore Suriname's significance as a hub for Jewish history, with its community peaking at 1,500 residents—far surpassing North America in the late 18th century.
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