Jodensavanne (Dutch; 'Jewish Savanna') was an attempt to establish an autonomous Jewish territory in Suriname; South America. Jodensavanne is located in Para District; about 50 km south of the capital Paramaribo; on the Suriname River.

In 1639; the English government allowed Sephardi Jews from the Netherlands; Portugal and Italy to settle the region; coming to the old capital Torarica. In the year 1652; a new group that migrated under the leadership of Lord Willoughby came to Suriname and settled in the area Jodensavanne. A third group came in 1664; after their expulsion from Brazil and then French Guiana; led by David Cohen Nassy.

The Jewish community acquired great internal autonomy; with work dedicated to the sugar-cane plantation. The Congregation Beracha ve Shalom ('Blessings and Peace') was founded; with the first wooden synagogue in the community (the 3rd synagogue in South America) built between 1665 and 1671 and a second; made of imported brick; was constructed in 1685.

Jodensavanne declined during the mid-18th century; and most of its population moved to Paramaribo. The colony strived to survive until it was destroyed in 1832 by a slave revolt and resulting fire. Pictures From History