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 renovated in 1827.[9] The construction of this synagogue marked the move of the centre of Jewish life in the region from Torarica to Jodensavanne.[10] This first synagogue contained a separate section for women, an archive for the community, and silver detailing on the wooden building.[3] A second, made of imported brick, was constructed in 1685.[11][12] Before the construction of the Beracha ve Shalom, there had been no synagogue of major architectural significance in the Americas.[13] The centennial celebration of the Synagogue, celebrated in October 1785, was said to have an attendance of more than 1500 persons, many of whom sailed in from Paramaribo, since by that time only twenty or so Jewish families were still living in Jodensavanne.[14][8] Efforts were also made in the twentieth century to clear and preserve the synagogue ruins.[9]