Djerba, Tunisian Jews' spiritual center
Photo: Reuters
El Ghriba synagogue, built by exiles who salvaged stone from first temple
Photo: Reuters
Direct flight to Tunisia
Thousands of Israelis set to visit Tunisian island of Djerba to celebrate El Ghriba Hilulah during Lag Ba'omer
Thousand of Jews are expected to celebrate the El Ghriba Hilulah (public celebration in memory of a saintly rabbi) during this year's Lag Ba'omer holiday, (May 26) on the island of Djerba in Tunisia.
For the first time since the 2002 terror attack in Djerba, Israeli tourists are set to join the local Jewish community and Tunisians from around the world.
El Ghriba is considered the most ancient synagogue in Africa. Tradition has it the synagogue, which was erected in 566 B.C., was built by exiles who carried with them a stone they had salvaged from the First Temple.
For hundreds of years the beautiful synagogue served as the Tunisian Jews’ spiritual center, and each year during Lag Ba’omer, a Hilulah that attracts thousands of believers, is held at the site.
Despite travel warning
The event’s organizers have chartered a plane to fly Israelis directly to Tunisia, as until now Israelis have had to travel via Rome or Paris, in order to reach the North African country.
The organizers have also rented out 10 hotels on the island.
Following the Hilulah, the tourists are set to embark on a 10-day “roots trip” in the country's capital of Tunis.
The Tunisian delegation located in the Palestinian Authority is set to issue the required entry visas.
Meanwhile, the anti-terror unit issued a travel warning in March, calling for all Israeli citizens to refrain from visiting Tunisia , “in light of profound unrest in the Arab world, in particular Tunisia.”
