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ABOUT

The Azorean Jewish Heritage Foundation was founded in 2013 to help restore and preserve the heritage of Azorean people of Jewish descent.

 

PROJECTS

The Friends of the Synagogue of Ponta Delgada and the Azorean Jewish Heritage Foundation have focused their efforts on supporting restoration and recovery of the Synagogue in Ponta Delgada, which was successfully completed in 2015. The Foundation supports the ongoing building of the synagogue library and upkeep of artifacts.

 

Beginning in the Autumn of 2020, the Foundation plans to support the revitalization of the historic Jewish Cemetery in Ponta Delgada.

JOIN US

Join our efforts! Learn how to get involved by volunteering your time, talent, and expertise.

HISTORY

In the history of the Azores, we account for three periods when Jews arrived in the islands. Click to learn more about Jewish history and the Azores.

Our Sister Organization

On October 22, 2012, Amigos da Sinagoga de Ponta Delgada (Friends of Synagogue of Ponta Delgada) was established during a ceremony at City Hall. We are working with them to ensure the proper restoration of the syngagogue and to support Jewish artifact preservation in the Azores.

Sahar Hasamaim Synagogue

The Sahar Hashamaim Synagogue was founded in 1836 by Jews from North Africa. For more than a century, it served as the place of worship for those who found refuge in Ponta Delgada. The Synagogue was abandoned about 50 years ago.

For decades, its roof no longer held the rain water and it had fallen into disrepair. The once polished wooden floors were rotted and a danger to anyone who ventured to walk on them. Vermin and birds called it home. But the Azorean Jewish Heritage Foundation, supporting the work of the Municipality of Ponta Delgada, worked diligently to restore the Synagogue to its former glory of 100 years ago. The project included the rebuilding of the Synagogue's structure, the return of furnishings and the original Torahs to the Synagogue, and transformation of the Rabbi’s former residence into a small but meaningful museum to showcase the history of the Jews in the Azores. 

 

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