Zarzis Synagogue Explained

Building Name:Zarzis Synagogue
Location: Zarzis, Tunisia
Religious Affiliation:Orthodox Judaism
Rite:Sephardic
Functional Status:Active synagogue
Leadership:Eliyahu Sofer

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, following Sabra and Shatila massacre 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 Eliyahu Sofer.

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33.5°N 11.1167°W