In 1973 the plan was executed. The site and the cemeteries were cleared. The ruins of the synagogue were preserved; a small traditional house from the Wagenwegstraat in Paramaribo was rebuilt at the site to accommodate a visitor centre. Additional modern facilities and a supervisor's house were built at an unobtrusive spot. For years to come, the Savanna had become an attractive and popular spot for the population of Surinam.

For the management and maintenance of the site, a Foundation was established october 11th 1971, the Jodensavanne foundation (SJS). Until 1980, the SJS kept the Jodensavanne in very good condition. Jodensavanne seemed to have a bright future. Plans were developed (but not executed) to completely rebuild the Jodensavanne village for use as a tourist facility.

In 1980, political turmoil troubled the country, eventually leading to a small-scale guerrilla war from 1983 to 1987. The Jodensavanne was in the middle of the war-zone, and could no longer be maintained. All museum facilities were destroyed, but the synagogue and the cemeteries were left undisturbed. However, the jungle quickly covered them.

It took the SJS a long time to start rebuilding the site. There was no money in the impoverished country, but probably more important: very good people had become demotivated by the situation.

In 1997, an initiative by the American researchers Rachel Frankel and Aviva Ben-Ur to describe the Cassipora cemetery, reclaimed Surinamese enthusiasm for the Savanna, and led to the revival of the Jodensavanne Foundation.

In 1999, the SJS made a fresh start. The site was completely cleaned, the ruins of the 1973 buildings were removed, and a new pier and small temporary visitor centre were established. When the American research team returned to survey the Jodensavanne cemetery, they found a beautiful and well-maintained site.

But all this is only a beginning. The synagogue and the cemeteries are in urgent need of preservation. The Jodensavanne village has never been researched or mapped, and is covered by dense jungle. And last but not least: the historic record of the Savanne is very incomplete, and a thorough archival research must be carried out to develop a complete picture of this important Jewish site, one of the oldest in the New World.

1. preservation of the ruin of the synagogue "Beracha ve Shalom"
2. preservation of the 3 cemeteries at Jodensavanne and Cassipora
3. description of the cemeteries (already partly finished)
4. archival research to develop knowledge about the history of the Savanna
5. geographical research of the Jodensavanne town plan
6. archealogical research of the town
7. research & description of the Jewish sugar estate area.

1. develop tourist infrastructure: paths, visitor centre, exhibition, guesthouse, pier

(already partly finished)

2. permanent exhibition on the site
3. international marketing of the savanne as a part of the Jewish new world heritage

Henk Essed (Director of the Foundation for Tourism), Secretary

Anne Carin Issa-Emmanuels, Treasurer

Members:

Harold Sijlbing (director STINASU)

James Ramlall (Minister of Education and Culture)

Ruben del Prado

Public relations:

Marieke Visser

Project coordinator:

Rachel Frankel