El Ghriba synagogue
Encyclopedia
The ancient El Ghriba Synagogue, , also known as the Djerba Synagogue, is located on the Tunisia
n island
of Djerba
. It is situated in the Jewish village of Hara Seghira, (currently known as Er-Riadh), several kilometres southwest of Houmt Souk
, the capital of Djerba.
of many Tunisian Jews for the holiday of Lag BaOmer, which takes place after the celebration of Passover
. The grave of a Jewish virgin who came carrying scrolls from Palestine is under the synagogue. The hostel is visited by many pilgrims from France, though this was disrupted by a terrorist attack in 2002.
On Simchat Torah
1985, one of the policemen charged with the security of the synagogue opened fire at the congregation causing the death of three people, including a child.
On April 11, 2002, a truck full of explosives was detonated close to the synagogue, killing 21 people, of whom 14 were German
tourists, 2 French nationals and 5 Tunisians. Al Qaeda claimed responsibility for the Ghriba synagogue bombing
.
Tunisia
Tunisia , officially the Tunisian RepublicThe long name of Tunisia in other languages used in the country is: , is the northernmost country in Africa. It is a Maghreb country and is bordered by Algeria to the west, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Its area...
n island
Island
An island or isle is any piece of sub-continental land that is surrounded by water. Very small islands such as emergent land features on atolls can be called islets, cays or keys. An island in a river or lake may be called an eyot , or holm...
of Djerba
Djerba
Djerba , also transliterated as Jerba or Jarbah, is, at 514 km², the largest island of North Africa, located in the Gulf of Gabes, off the coast of Tunisia.-Description:...
. It is situated in the Jewish village of Hara Seghira, (currently known as Er-Riadh), several kilometres southwest of Houmt Souk
Houmt Souk
Houmt Souk , meaning literally: "The Market neighborhood", is a commune and the main town of the island of Djerba, Tunisia. A popular tourist destination, it is best-known for its traditional souk and the Aghlabid fortress....
, the capital of Djerba.
History
The synagogue is the destination of an annual pilgrimagePilgrimage
A pilgrimage is a journey or search of great moral or spiritual significance. Typically, it is a journey to a shrine or other location of importance to a person's beliefs and faith...
of many Tunisian Jews for the holiday of Lag BaOmer, which takes place after the celebration of Passover
Passover
Passover is a Jewish holiday and festival. It commemorates the story of the Exodus, in which the ancient Israelites were freed from slavery in Egypt...
. The grave of a Jewish virgin who came carrying scrolls from Palestine is under the synagogue. The hostel is visited by many pilgrims from France, though this was disrupted by a terrorist attack in 2002.
Attacks
Simchat Torah
Simchat Torah or Simḥath Torah is a celebration marking the conclusion of the annual cycle of public Torah readings, and the beginning of a new cycle...
1985, one of the policemen charged with the security of the synagogue opened fire at the congregation causing the death of three people, including a child.
On April 11, 2002, a truck full of explosives was detonated close to the synagogue, killing 21 people, of whom 14 were German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
tourists, 2 French nationals and 5 Tunisians. Al Qaeda claimed responsibility for the Ghriba synagogue bombing
Ghriba synagogue bombing
The Ghriba synagogue bombing was a deadly bombing carried out by Niser bin Muhammad Nasar Nawar in Tunisia on the El Ghriba synagogue.On April 11, 2002, a natural gas truck fitted with explosives drove past security barriers at the ancient Ghriba Synagogue on the Tunisian island of Djerba...
.
External links
- El Ghriba Synagogue - Web video produced by blogger Andy Carvin
- El Ghriba Synagogue, Djerba, Tunisia
- Virtual tour http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XV4fmzzPnZk