“Or Torah” synagogue in Acco also known as “El-Gribba”

(Jarivah) or, the “The Tunisian

synagogue”
 Acco, an ancient city steeped in
history, has a lot to offer its visitors.
One of the city highlights is a unique
building outside the Old City walls,
the Tunisian Synagogue. The inside
walls are completely covered in
mosaic pictures which are all based
on biblical themes and were all
made at the mosaic workshop of
Kibbutz Eilon.
The synagogue is situated at 13
Kaplan St. Visiting hours are
Sunday-Friday between 9:30 a.m.
and 12:30 p.m. It is advisable to
arrange the visit ahead of time by
telephone 050-6822781. Ask for
Yaffa. There is no entrance fee,
however visitors are expected to
make a small donation, depending
on the size of the group.
Even the courtyard wall is a work of art, hinting
at what can be expected inside…
 Immediately upon entering the entrance hall, the visitor is struck
by the awesome sight: all the walls, as well as the ceiling and the
floor, are completely covered with magnificent mosaic.
On the ceiling, a scheme of the Temple can be detected
Also on the ceiling are depictions of the
High Priest breastplate, and the altar tools.
.On the floor, pictures of birds, flowers, fish, and more

hoopoe
Woodpecker
Hawk Honey sucker
 Grouper

Two Stripe Damselfish

 There are two prayer halls. The central one, on the
second floor, is more luxurious. From the women’s section
above it one can observe the hall as well as the Wheel of
Fortune mosaic on the ceiling.
 The “Eastern Wall” (which faces south, in this case) is full of
decorated Torah cases (Arks). Above them – more mosaics.
A look into the Arks and the Torah scrolls inside them.
The curtains covering the Arks

The brass doors of the holy Arks.

The walls and the ceiling are covered with huge mosaic pictures,
.with Jerusalem serving as a central theme
.Between the mosaics, gorgeous stained glass windows
.The candelabrum also appears in many variations
The staircase leading to the lower hall is also decorated from
.top to bottom
 The lower hall is also covered in mosaics, including
the floor and the ceiling. On the ceiling – a huge “carpet”
depicting a “map” of the north of Israel.
On the floor, colourful pictures of a great variety of
plants and animals.

Warbler Lion
Starling
 Jacob’s dream

Stained glass panes

 The sacrifice of Isaac

The Exodus from Egypt Remember Amalek

 The Meidva map

.Jerusalem on the map of Meidva (Jordan)

The exodus from Egypt

The spies
 Sarah and the angels
Ruth the Moabite
 Daniel in the lions’ den

The Ark of the

Covenant
You will be able to see all the rest of the sights if
.you take the trouble to go to this very special place

morag-i@013.net.il – Igal Morag

:You are welcome to visit my site at

http://morageng.artvision.co.il

English version - Gila Kaye