Tunis, Tunisia – Jewish Pilgrimage In Tunisia Grows Despite Debate (photos)

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    Rabbi Israel Alimi (L) blesses a Jewish pilgrim in the Ghriba synagogue, in Djerba, Tunisia, 18 May 2014, during the annual Griba pilgrimage that celebrates the end of Passover.  EPA/MOHAMED MESSARATunis, Tunisia – Despite years of security concerns and a harsh debate over Israeli passports, officials say the number of Jewish pilgrims taking part in an annual rite in Tunisia is up dramatically for the first time in years.

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    Rene Trabelsi, who helps organize the trek to the Ghriba synagogue, Africa’s oldest, said 2,000 people took part in the three-day pilgrimage ending Sunday.

    The island of Djerba, site of the synagogue, had seen pilgrims in the hundreds each year since Tunisia’s 2011 revolution, from a peak of 7,000 in 2010.

    This was the first year that Israeli pilgrims have been allowed to use their passports rather than a special document issued by the Tunisian government, prompting an outcry among some lawmakers. Tunisia has no diplomatic relations with Israel.

    {NewsPhotosEmbed 740937489}

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    7 Comments
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    Secular
    Secular
    11 years ago

    Looks like the lady in the first picture is next in line to put on Tefillin…

    zooog
    Member
    zooog
    11 years ago

    I guess there is no dress code for women

    Matzoslocal101
    Matzoslocal101
    11 years ago

    there has to be a dress code. There in a moslem country. The visitors from western countries are oblvious to it. There is no country or religion in the world that says that Women have to cover their head or hair but it’s alright to go around in sleeveless attire.