“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.

Honey suckerWoodpecker

.On the floor, pictures of birds, flowers, fish, and more

hoopoe Hawk

Two Stripe Damselfish

Grouper

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.

The brass doors of the holy Arks.

A look into the Arks and the Torah scrolls inside them.

The curtains covering the 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.

Lion

On the floor, colourful pictures of a great variety of plants and animals.

StarlingWarbler

Jacob’s dream

Stained glass panes

The sacrifice of Isaac

Remember AmalekThe Exodus from Egypt

The Meidva map

.(Jerusalem on the map of Meidva (Jordan

The spies

The exodus from Egypt

Ruth the MoabiteSarah and the angels

The Ark of the Covenant

Daniel in the lions’ den

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

http://morageng.artvision.co.il

– Igal Moragmorag-i@013.net.il

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English version -Gila Kaye