Indonesia
Indonesia’s Jewish community, numbering around 100 people, has roots stretching back to the 17th century. The first Jews arrived as Dutch and Iraqi immigrants, with the largest community forming in Surabaya. During the colonial period, Surabaya’s Jews enjoyed civil rights and protection under Dutch rule, but political shifts in the mid-20th century led to emigration and a sharp decline in numbers. Today, the center of Jewish life in Indonesia is in Tondano, North Sulawesi, home to Shaar HaShamayim, the country’s only permanent synagogue. The synagogue is led by Rabbi Yaakov Baruch, a descendant of Dutch Jews who reestablished the Indonesian Jewish community in the early 2000s. In addition to religious services, Shaar HaShamayim houses Southeast Asia’s first Holocaust museum, inaugurated in 2022.
Bar mitzvah of the son of community leader Rabbi Yaakov Baruch in Jerusalem, February 2025
Community leaders meet with Kulanu’s President, Bonita Sussman, and Executive Director, Molly Levine, in New Jersey in 2025
A glimpse inside the impressive synagogue
Location
Tondano, Jakarta
Denomination
Orthodox (Sephardi)
Community size
100
Languages
Indonesian, English, Hebrew
Kulanu Support Since
2020
Our connection with Kulanu began during the isolation of the Covid-19 pandemic, and from that moment on, they became a lifeline. From Zoom introductions to the generous gifts of a Torah scroll, Megillat Esther, and even a shechita knife, they supported us in every way. After years of virtual connection, I finally met Kulanu’s President and Executive Director in person. Their warmth and dedication to uplifting hidden Jewish communities like ours left a lasting impression.
Discover Indonesia
A Resilient History and a New Beginning
Jewish presence in Indonesia dates back to the 1600s, with Dutch and Iraqi Jews settling in major trade hubs like Surabaya. The Israelitische Gemeente Soerabaia, founded in 1923, was once a thriving congregation with around 1,000 members. However, WWII, anti-colonial sentiment, and Indonesia’s political changes caused many to emigrate, leaving only a handful of Jews by the late 20th century. In the early 2000s, Rabbi Yaakov Baruch reactivated the Jewish community with members of Surabaya’s historic Jewish families. After years of using temporary locations, the Shaar HaShamayim Synagogue was established in Tondano in 2004, becoming the only permanent synagogue in Indonesia following the destruction of Surabaya’s synagogue in 2013.
Challenges and Religious Identity
Judaism is not officially recognized as a religion in Indonesia, meaning Jews must register under other faith categories on government documents. This lack of recognition makes religious life more complex, as there are no formal Jewish schools and kosher food is difficult to source locally. Despite this, the community has remained steadfast in practicing Jewish traditions and has even facilitated Orthodox conversions under the guidance of Rav Hayim Ovadia’s Beit Din Torah VeAhava, providing a path for those with Jewish ancestry to formally return to Judaism.
Growing Jewish Life in Indonesia
Since 2020, Shaar HaShamayim has received support from Kulanu, which has provided a Sefer Torah, a Megillat Esther, and a kosher shechita knife. The synagogue also serves as an educational center, preserving Jewish history through its Holocaust museum and fostering Jewish learning. The community’s dedication to Jewish life, education, and historical preservation ensures that Judaism remains a vibrant part of Indonesia’s diverse religious landscape.