Djerba, Tunisia – Every year the La Griba synagogue on the island of Djerba is visited by hundreds of people as part of a pilgrimage.
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Built in the 7th century BC, the La Griba is a fascinating and beautiful landmark the history of which dates back to the arrival of the first Jewish settlers on the island.
It is widely believed that the settlers arrived after the destruction of the First Temple in Jerusalem and set up a community on Djerba.
When word reached them that the temple had been rebuilt they chose not to leave and Jewish communities remain today in Hara Kbira and Er Riadh.
Now the La Griba synagogue is the main focus of a vibrant and lively pilgrimage that takes place every spring.
The event takes place during the Jewish holiday of Lag B’Omer and thousands of people come from all over the world to attend.
The synagogue has a shrine which is said to have a stone from the First Temple in it. The shrine is filled with eggs by women, in an act that is thought to guarantee fertility.
Outside a large wooden monument is wheeled through the streets, covered in fabric and followed by hundreds of pilgrims.
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What is this??
Where is the modesty squad, woman and man together?
A picture of a woman praying as she “kisses a religious icon”? What is this? How did Yiddishkeit get so out of hand with this Lag B’Omer Rashbi stuff that we now have people kissing icons in a shul? Is this Torah or Eastern Orthodoxy?
I’m surprised that in an ancient Jewish community like Tunisia, under heavy cultural influence from Islam, women are treated with dignity and are not persecuted by “modesty” zealots. Congregation looks unified, dignified and civilized. The same can not be said about frum communities from European countries that treat their women as inferior, dangerous objects that are not allowed to participate in shul with dignity. They’re always hidden in the back and under curtains and under Indian wigs.
Article doesnt really explain the pilgrimage / festival & Pics are from Pesach. Sounds really fascinating and would like to read more about it – from a Jewish perspective.
I did notice that the sign on entrance to synagogue says “… please remove shoes…” but no one has.
It is wonderful to see Jews keeping traditions alive despite the danger surrounding them. For those of you who are only familiar with your own customs, how about taking an occasional “road trip” to a different kind of shul, if one is near you? If you are Ashkenazi, go to a Syrian or Yemenite shul, if Litvish, go to a chassidic, if a chassid, go to a Litvish. We have a wonderful variety of customs, foods and niggunim to share with one another!