El Ghriba synagogue

Infobox religious building
building_name=El Ghriba Synagogue

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caption="Interior of El Ghriba Synagogue"
location=Djerba, Tunisia
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religious_affiliation=Orthodox Judaism
rite = Sephardi
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functional_status=Pilgrimage site
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architecture_style=Moorish
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specifications=no
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materials=The ancient El Ghriba Synagogue ( _ar. معبد الغريبة, "El Ghriba" means "the Synagogue" in North African Arabic, which means that foreign language names are redunancies) is located on the Tunisian island of Djerba. It is situated in the formerly Jewish village of Hara Seghira, (currently known as Er-Riadh), several kilometres southwest of Houmt Souk, the capital of Djerba. It currently houses the world's oldest Sefer Torah.

History

The history of the synagogue is reported to go back about 2000 years, making it the oldest synagogue in Africa and one of the oldest in the world. According to an oral tradition, it was built by kohanim, (Jewish priests), who had immigrated after the destruction of the first Temple in Jerusalem. The present building dates from the 19th century and replaces one built in the 16th century.

The synagogue is the destination of an annual pilgrimage of many Tunisian Jews after the celebration of Passover.

Attacks

On Simchat Torah 1985, one of the policeman 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. Al Qaeda claimed responsibility for the attack. "See Ghriba synagogue bombing"

ee also

* Chaim Madar

External links

* [http://www.andycarvin.com/archives/2005/11/el_ghriba_synag.html El Ghriba Synagogue] - Web video produced by blogger [http://www.andycarvin.com Andy Carvin]
* [http://www.bh.org.il/Communities/Synagogue/Djerba.asp El Ghriba Synagogue, Djerba, Tunisia]
* [http://www.explo-guide.com/Synagogue-de-la-Ghriba-Djerba Travel tips to visit Ghriba Synagogue]