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OLIVIA
BUNING, in the MuseumCafé
of
the Jewish Historical Museum, Amsterdam
Photos of the annual
pilgrimage to the Ghriba Synagogue
on the island Djerba
in Tunisia.
Every
year on Lag ba-Omer (33rd day after Pesach, the Jewish Easter) a
pilgrimage takes place to the Ghriba Synagogue on the island Djerba in Tunisia.
Thousands
of Jews from Tunisia, France and Israel exuberantly celebrate in and around
Africa’s oldest synagogue, which dates from the 5th century before
the Common Era.
Djerba
is sometimes called the Jerusalem of Africa and it has always been a spiritual
centre of Judaism. It is also the only Jewish place of pilgrimage in North
Africa where there is still a small Jewish community. In this period, the
pilgrims commemorate Rabbi Meir and Rabbi Shimon Bar Jochai, founding fathers of
Jewish Cabalistic mysticism. Tradition has it that all prayers spoken by
visitors and pilgrims in the Ghriba Synagogue will be granted.
This
pilgrimage is a unique event in the Arab world. In general, the Tunisian
population approaches the temporary return of their former compatriots
positively. The thousands of pilgrims are kept under close guard by the police
and the army against potential attacks from the neighbouring countries Algeria
and Libya.
Prints:
Hans Bol, Ooij.
Info:
e-mail: oliviabuning@hotmail.com
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