Jewish Heritage in Tunisia: Past and Present...

February 20-28, 2000

Included in Tunisia's diverse cultural history is the role of Tunisia's Jewish community. While the Jewish community today is small, Tunisian Jewry has characteristics that distinguish it from other North African Jewish communities. Jewish presence in Tunisia dates back centuries, with traces of Jewish presence in Carthage. There is still a vibrant Jewish community on the island of Jerba that traces its history on the island back more than two thousand years. TunisUSA organized the first tour of American Jews to Tunisia. This June 1993 tours was a historic breakthrough and TunisUSA continues to be the forerunner in developing this and other interesting aspects of Tunisia touring.

Day 1-Sunday, February 20
Departure from New York tonight for non-stop flight to European gateway. Transfer to connecting flight to Tunis.

Day 2-Monday, February 21
Arrive in Tunis from European gateway. Rest and relaxation from flight. Optional walking tour of Tunis, Tunisia's capital city. Dinner in a local restaurant of Tunisian-Jewish style cuisine, where you will have an orientation about your tour. Overnight in Tunis. (D)

Day 3-Tuesday, February 22
Tour of Tunis from a "Jewish" perspective. Visit the main synagogue of Tunis and meet leaders of the Tunis Jewish community. Visit the Jewish day school of Tunis and speak with its directors, followed by a visit to the Jewish cemetary of Tunis. For lunch, we will dine out along the seacoast, followed by a visit to Carthage, the ancient Phoenician/Roman city, which also had a small Jewish presence. From Carthage, we take a short ride to the picturesque village of Sidi Bou Said. Dinner and overnight in Tunis. (B,L,D)

Day 4-Wednesday, February 23
This morning we drive to the western portion of Tunisia, driving through scenic countryside. Our first main destination will be the ruins of Dougga. Known in Roman times as Thugga, the site covers some sixty acres and though its population was never thought to have exceeded ten thousand, the condition and the expanse of the remains is most impressive. From Dougga, we drive to El Kef, which today is a town of little importance. However, in the past, with its proximity to a railway that crossed North Africa, it was a town of some importance and home to a Jewish community. The synagogue of El Kef was renovated, primarily funded by the Tunisian government, with its completion in the early 1990's. We will have a chance to learn a little about the community from the artifacts remaining within the synagogue. From El Kef, we drive southeast, eventually arriving in Kairouan, site of what is reputed to be the oldest mosque in Africa. Kairouan is considered the fourth holiest Islamic city, following Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem. During mideival times, Kairouan was home to an influential Jewish community, whose leaders had ongoing contact with the rabbinic scholars of Babylon. The Jews were said to have played an important role in the growth of Kairouan as a city of crafts and commerce during this same period. From Kairouan, we continue to the coast, with our arrival late in the day to Sousse, home to a tiny Jewish community. Dinner and overnight in Sousse. (B,L,D)

Day 5-Thursday, February 24
This morning our drive goes along the coast and then inland, where our first destination is El Jem. Known in Roman times as Thysdrus and noted for its amphitheater, which is similar to the coliseum of Rome, El Jem's coloseum is a stark contrast to the rather drab surroundings of the nearby landscape. From El Jem, we drive to Sfax, Tunisia's second largest town. Primarily an industrial town, Sfax has a very tiny Jewish community remaining. The medina of Sfax has remained a souk for the locals, as opposed to the tourists. Due to this indigenous character, it was the site of the Egyptian market scenes in the film, the English Patient. After a brief stop in Sfax, including lunch, we continue our drive along the coast, with a mid-afternoon stop in Gabes. Gabes is an oasis town. You will have the opportunity to go through the oasis by horse and buggy. We continue from Gabes to the ferry crossing, eventually bringing us to the island of Jerba, shortly before dinner. After arriving at our hotel and having an opportunity to freshen up, we will have dinner and an early night. Overnight in Jerba. (B,L,D)

Day 6-Friday, February 25
Morning tour of the island of Jerba with our first stop being the village of Hara Kabira, the largest of the island's two Jewish villages. We will have a walking tour of the hara,visiting many of the village's synagogues. Hara Kabira has seventeen synagogues, most of which are still in use today. We will have the opportunity to visit the communal oven of the Jewish community and hear about the role it plays in the holiday and Shabbat meals, as well as hearing about the active role of Jewish education in Jerba, today.Following our visit to Hara Kabira, we will go to Hara Saghira, the islands smaller Jewish village where we will visit the Ghriba synagogue, an historic and important site in Jerban Jewish history. Lunch will be in one of the island's seafood restaurants. After lunch, a brief walking orientation of Houmt Souk, Jerba's main market town and the location of many of Jerba's Jewish merchants. Spend some leisure time shopping the souk and meeting some of the jewelers, the main occupation of the island's Jewish males. Return to hotel for rest and relaxation, followed by dinner at our seaside hotel. Overnight in Jerba. (B,L,D)(See "Shabbat" options!)

Day 7-Saturday, February 26
Today is at your leisure. You may relax, with the option of enjoying the amenities offered by the hotel, or, if you choose, to explore some of the island on your own. For dinner tonight, you will be free to sample some of the many restaurant options available on Jerba. (B,L,D) . (See "Shabbat" options!)

Day 8-Sunday, February 27
This morning we fly to Tunis. Upon arrival, our bus will take us to the Bardo Museum. Housed in a former palace of the Ottoman Bey, the Bardo is home to a world class collection of mosaics. Following today's lunch, you will have some time to relax before our late afternoon visit to the recently renovated synagogue in La Goulette, a suburb along the coast, just outside of Tunis proper. At the synagogue, we will meet some members of the Tunis Jewish community, followed by a farewell dinner where we will be joined by members of the Tunis Jewish community. Overnight in Tunis. (B,L,D)

Day 9-Monday, February 28
Morning departure to the US via European gateway, arriving late the same day. (B)

Shabbat Options
For those who choose to partipate in the Shabbat, special arrangements can be made for attending synagogues and/or for dinner in a private home. These arrangements are at an additional cost must be made through a TunisUSA representative.

Cost

Scheduled Tours

Price Includes

• Round-trip air from NY area to Tunis
• Price is based on double occupancy in deluxe/first class hotels. ($195. single supplement applies).
• All touring, entrance fees, baggage handling and most meals, as indicated on the itinerary.

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