It is one of only five remaining sand-floor synagogues in the world. Shaare Shalom in Kingston is currently the only synagogue in Jamaica and recalls the times when Jews fled Spain due to persecution by the Holy Inquisition. There were many Jewish merchants in Port Royal, and at one time 20% of Kingston's population were Portuguese and Spanish Jews. Not only did Jewish merchants support English privateers hunting Spanish treasure galleons, but some of them became pirates themselves.
The floor is covered with sand, the Sephardic custom is said to be a tradition that developed during the Spanish Inquisition. Jews then had to pray in secret. The sand on the floors helped muffle the sounds of the prayers.
