The Nidhe Israel Synagogue, located in Bridgetown, Barbados as well as the mikvah were originally built in 1654, it is the oldest synagogue in the Western Hemisphere.

The synagogue's history is intertwined with the history of the Jewish community in Barbados. The early settlers were Sephardic Jews who fled Brazil during the Inquisition, and they established Nidhe Israel Synagogue and the mikvah as a center of Jewish life in Barbados. The synagogue played an important role in the lives of the Jewish community, serving as a place of worship, community gathering, and education.

As the Sephardic community was orthodox, the men worshipped separately on the lower level and the women used the upstairs gallery.

In 1831, a devastating hurricane struck Barbados, causing widespread destruction and damage. The hurricane destroyed much of the original synagogue, leaving only the walls standing. Despite the damage, the synagogue's foundation and walls remained intact. After nearly 2 years, the reconstruction of Nidhe Israel was complete. The new building, built on its original foundation was consecrated on March 29, 1933. It measured 2,000 square feet and held about 300 people.

By 1850, due to the hurricane and other hardships, the Jewish population in Barbados dropped to just 71 people and by 1928 only 2 Jews remained and the synagogue was sold by the last remaining Jewish resident, Edmund Baeza, to a Bridgetown solicitor.

The synagogue was subsequently desecrated. During the ensuing period being used as offices, a law library, and for a company of traders.  By the early 1980’s, the building ended up in disrepair and was seized by Government in 1983. 

However, during this period of influx, a jewish family from Poland settled in Barbados, fleeing the growing antisemitism in Europe and were soon followed by 40 otherAshkenazi Jewish families seeking refuge from Nazism. They reestablish the Barbados Jewish Community of today.

In 1979 the Barbados Cabinet decided to demolish the Nidhe Israel Synagogue building and use the site to develop a new Supreme Court. Members of the Barbados Jewish Community with he help of the Barbados National Trust convinced the government to protect the building and it's site.

1985 was a successful year for the Barbados Jewish Community, who celebrated the transfer of The Nidhe Israel Synagogue building and surrounding site to the Barbados National Trust and in 1986 the Synagogue Restoration Project was initiated. Money was raised locally and internationally and as soon as 1987 the restoration of the Synagogue building was complete and it became, once again, a place of worship for the Barbados Jewish Community and host to many visitors.

Between 2009 and 2009, a historic building close to the cemetery is restored and becomes the site of the Nidhe Israel Museum. During this time an archaeological excavation was occurring in the area between the Nidhe Israel Synagogue and the Museum which led to the discovery of a Mikvah. (In Judaism, this is a pool of natural water for a ritual of bathing to restore purity).

Nidhe Israel Synagogue is a testament to the rich cultural heritage of the Jewish people in Barbados. Its historic architecture, museum, and archives provide a fascinating insight into the lives of the early Jewish settlers in the Caribbean. The role played by the Barbados National Trust in preserving the synagogue is a testament to the importance of cultural heritage preservation, and the Nidhe Israel Synagogue Museum is an important cultural institution that helps to keep this history alive for future generations.