El Ghriba Synagogue, Djerba. (Tunisia)

Text on the back -Republique Tunisienne Jerba - L'interieur de la Ghriba Edichem H.Ismail 23, Rue Gamel Abdel Nasser - Tunis Reproduction Interdite;Back Printed Text Translation - Tunisian Republic Jerba - Interior of 'El Ghriba'.;Production period - second half of the 20th century-?;Front Period - UNKNOWN;Category - Jewish types;Description - This horizontal postcard depicts a color photograph of the interior of 'El Ghriba Synagogue', located in the Tunisian island of Djerba. Ghriba means marvelous or strange in Arabic and reflects the special status of this Synagogue. Indeed, this one is particularly important because according to the legend, it is one of the first synagogues and houses one of the world's oldest Sefer Torah (The Torah Scroll). The photograph shows the entrance hall, from where one enters into the prayer room. Several Jewish men and boys are sitting on benches: Some are resting, some are talking, maybe waiting for the Tefilah (prayer). We can see the rich decoration of the blue-tinted interior of the synagogue, inspired by the local oriental architecture. [S.H.]