Djerba is home to around 1,300 Jews, and El Ghriba is an important feature of Jewish life on the largest island in Tunisia. According to ancient accounts, the synagogue’s construction goes back to the High Priests’ escape following the destruction of Solomon’s Temple by the Babylonians under Nebuchadnezzar II in the year 586 B.C.
The High Priests carried a door and a stone of the destroyed Temple. Thus, the synagogue links the Jewish diaspora to the “sole sanctuary of Judaism”. In modern times, the local Jews are distinguished by their dress, which includes a black band around their pants, which signifies the destruction of the Temple.
We want to understand and appreciate the history of the Bible. We believe that one of the clearest links from the Old World to the New World was when the People of Mulek sailed across the Atlantic to Zarahemla after the horrific burning of the Temple of Solomon.
At the same time as Mulek’s escape, temple high priests also escaped from Jerusalem and founded a synagogue on the Island of Djerba in Tunisia. This synagogue is the oldest continuously operating Jewish center of worship in the history of the world. The synagogue was founded before the founding of Rome. It seems remarkable to think that for 2,600 years, 135,200 weeks, on the Sabbath, Jews have gathered to worship God. May God bless them in their faithfulness.
Today, the Ministry of Cultural Affairs of Tunisia issued a press release. Here is a copy of the release.
DATELINE: DJERBA ISLAND, TUNISIA
Celebration Of Djerba Island On The Occasion Of Its Registration On The UNESCO World Heritage List.
Under the supervision of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, the Tunis Opera Theater, in partnership with the Agency for Heritage Revival and Cultural Development, is organizing a special celebration on the occasion of the inclusion of the island of Djerba on the UNESCO World Heritage List, on Friday, October 6, 2023, in the City of Culture.
The celebration will begin at six o’clock in the evening with a performance from the heritage of Djerba by the Sta Jomaa band in the theater square, followed by a visit to an exhibition of pictures and posters of the island of Djerba in the lobby of the City of Culture at six and a half.
At seven o’clock in the evening, the lower lobby of the City of Culture will host the performance “Mahabba” with the voices of the Tunisian Opera and a solo performance by the artist Othello Maawi, with the participation of the musician Rabih Zemmouri, along with the screening of a documentary tape of the island of Djerba.
The celebration ends at eight o’clock in the evening with a performance from the heritage of Djerba by the Ouled Sidi Djemour troupe, led by Habib Jebali, at the El Jebali Theater.
