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Zarzis Synagogue

Coordinates: 33°30′00″N 11°07′00″E / 33.5000°N 11.1167°E / 33.5000; 11.1167
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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Bohemian Baltimore (talk | contribs) at 11:51, 12 July 2016 (removed Category:Sephardi Jewish culture in Africa; added Category:Sephardi Jewish culture in North Africa using HotCat). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Zarzis Synagogue
Interior of Zarzis Synagogue
Religion
AffiliationOrthodox Judaism
RiteSephardic
LeadershipEliyahu Sofer
StatusActive synagogue
Location
LocationTunisia Zarzis, Tunisia

Zarzis Synagogue (Arabic: كنيس جرجيس) also known as Beit HaKnesset Mishkan Ya’akov (Hebrew: בית הכנסת משכן יעקב), is located in the coastal town of Zarzis, Tunisia. It was built in around 1900 when the Jewish community of Zarzis numbered approximately 1,000. An arson attack in 1982 by local Arabs following Sabra and Shatila massacre of Muslim Palestinians by Christians in Lebanon, left the synagogue and Torah scrolls totally destroyed. It was subsequently rebuilt and is currently used by the town's remaining 100 Jews.

The lavishly decorated synagogue leads into an open-air courtyard which has adjoining rooms which serve as the talmud torah. The head of the community is currently Eliyahu Sofer.

33°30′00″N 11°07′00″E / 33.5000°N 11.1167°E / 33.5000; 11.1167