History of the Jews in Djerba

The history of the Jews in Djerba stems from at least the Middle Ages, although many speculate that it extends back to the Classical Era. The community is one of the last remaining Jewish communities in the Arab world.

The community is typically divided between two villages on the Tunisian island of Djerba, off of its southern coast. The community remained small throughout history—at around 4,500 members at its peak—and hovered at about 700 at the beginning of 21st century. Since then, and due to a high birth rate, it has increased to 1,100. It is one of the best-known North African Jewish communities due to its longlasting survival, with thousands making an annual pilgrimage to the El Ghriba Synagogue on the 33rd day of the Counting of the Omer. Beginning in the mid-20th century, the community's population began declining due to the establishment of the State of Israel. The community's synagogue was attacked in a bombing in 2002 and a shooting in 2023.