The history of the Jews in Indonesia began with the arrival of early European explorers and settlers. Most arrived from the Netherlands, Middle East, Northern Africa and Southern Europe. Jews in Indonesia presently form a very small Jewish community of about 100-500, of mostly Sephardi Jews.

Most of the Jews living in the Dutch East Indies in the 19th century were Dutch Jews who worked as merchants or were affiliated with the colonial regime. Other members of the Jewish community were immigrants from Iraq or Aden. Between the two World Wars the number of Jews in the Dutch East Indies was estimated at 2,000.

Indonesian Jews suffered greatly under the Japanese Occupation of Indonesia, were interned and forced to work in labor camps. After the war, many emigrated to the United States, Australia or Israel. By the late 1960s, it was estimated that there were 20 Jews living in Jakarta, and 25 in Surabaya. Since 2003, the Shaar Hashamayim synagogue has been serving local Jewish community of some 20 people in Tondano city. It is currently the only synagogue in Indonesia that provides services.