| Zarzis Synagogue | |
|---|---|
|
Interior of Zarzis Synagogue |
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| Basic information | |
| Location | Zarzis, Tunisia |
| Affiliation | Orthodox Judaism |
| Rite | Sephardic |
| 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 by local Arabs in response to the Sabra and Shatila massacre 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[update] Eliyahu Sofer.