- One of the most original attraction in Akko is the Tunisian Or Torah Synagogue or "Jariva". This Synagogue is completely covered in mosaics, on the wall, floor and many stained-glass windows. All of the mosaics were created in Kibbutz Eilon from millions of natural stones. We can find not far from this places the Church of St. Andreas, Khan al-Umdan or St. George Church (Acre).
- Holy Places TV brings you on a visit to Akko, or Acre, a gem of the Mediterranean where, for centuries, religions and civilizations have intersected. Akko has welcomed crusaders, Baha'is, Ottoman warlords, Napoleon, Nachman of Breslov, and Irgun, the Israeli National Military Organization, which was created in 1931. With its ancient port and city wall, the thickest in the history of humanity, and its many monuments, Akko is equally fascinating and confusing. Today, we'll visit the Or Torah Synagogue of St. John of Acre. It is one of Israel's most spectacular tourist sites. This Tunisian synagogue, also known as Djerba, was built in 1955 to accommodate the needs of Jews newly arriving from Tunisia who lived in and around Akko. This synagogue exists thanks to Zion Badash, who immigrated to Israel in 1954. Indeed, he came from Tunisia-Ghriba, to be exact, on the island of Djerba. That year, he applied to the municipality for permission to restore an old house that had been used as a community center during Israel's 1948 war for independence. Zion Badash transformed this house into a masterpiece. Its design is inspired by the synagogues in his homeland of Ghriba. The Or Torah Synagogue in Akko is the only one of its kind, a true jewel. It is located to the east of the walls of Akko's Old City. The structure is three-and- a-half stories tall, and the interior and exterior both feature masterful works of mosaics. After fifty-four years of work, Zion Badash succeeded in covering the synagogue with mosaics, from the ceiling to the walls to the floors. The mosaics are especially striking in that they all consist of natural colors from throughout Israel. The mosaics were carved in the Eilon kibbutz, located in the Upper Galilee. The craftsmen of Eilon use small hammers, special tools, and, to be sure, extreme care in creating vibrant work with bright colors. These craftsmen faithfully executed all of Zion Badash's requests, and worked to closely imitate the mosaics featured in many fifth century synagogues found in Ein Gedi, Tzipori, Tiberias, Beit Alpha, and Naaran. Because stone is the only material that cannot be ruined by time or nature, it can tell us the story of the ancient city and its synagogue. With its mosaics, the Or Torah Synagogue is truly a visual encyclopedia, and it recounts the many chapters of the Jewish story, from Abraham to Herzl. The Or Torah Synagogue has three gates, which symbolize the three patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Its seven arks, made of hundreds of millions of natural stones, protect the Torah scrolls. The number seven represents the seven doors of Paradise. The ground floor serves as a study room, or as a conference room, and is called the Beit Midrash in Hebrew. During the week, it serves as a prayer room.
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content