Zarzis Synagogue

Zarzis Synagogue
Arabic: كنيس جرجيس
Hebrew: בית הכנסת משכן יעקב
Interior of the synagogue, in 2007
Religion
AffiliationOrthodox Judaism
RiteNusach Sefard
Ecclesiastical or organisational statusSynagogue
LeadershipRabbi Eliyahu Sofer
StatusActive
Location
LocationZarzis
CountryTunisia
Zarzis Synagogue is located in Tunisia
Zarzis Synagogue
Location of the synagogue in Tunisia
Geographic coordinates33°30′00″N 11°07′00″E / 33.5000°N 11.1167°E / 33.5000; 11.1167
Architecture
TypeSynagogue architecture
Completed1905

The Zarzis Synagogue (Arabic: كنيس جرجيس; Hebrew: בית הכנסת משכן יעקב, romanized: Beit HaKnesset Mishkan Ya’akov, lit. 'Mishkan Yaakov Synagogue'), is a Jewish congregation and synagogue, located in the coastal town of Zarzis, Tunisia. The synagogue was completed in 1905, when the Jewish community of Zarzis numbered approximately 1,000.[1]

An arson attack in 1982, following Sabra and Shatila massacre in Lebanon, left the synagogue and Torah scrolls totally destroyed. It was subsequently rebuilt and used by the town's remaining 150 Jews.[2]

The lavishly decorated synagogue leads into an open-air courtyard which has adjoining rooms which serve as the talmud torah. As of 2007, Rabbi Eliyahu Sofer was the head of the community.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Synagogue Mishkan Yaakov, Zarzis, Tunisia". Digital Heritage Mapping | diarna.org. 2015. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
  2. ^ "Zarzis". The Museum of The Jewish People at Beit Hatfutsot. Retrieved July 18, 2018.