Jews around the world will celebrate Rosh Hashana starting Sunday by eating traditional meals that symbolize the sweetness of the new year. From Egypt to Iran, Nervana Mahmoud takes stock of the Middle East's Jewish population.
Tunisia
Tunisia is home to approximately 1000 Jews, according to the North American Jewish Data Bank’s 2010 findings. The oldest and the biggest synagogue is the El-Ghariba, or the Djerba Synagogue. Every year, thousands of Jewish pilgrims flock to this temple for an annual celebration, but this year, there were only about 500 in attendance. Like other Arab Spring countries, the numbers have plummeted since the revolution in January 2011. Still, Tunisia has one of the largest Jewish populations in the Maghreb.
(Photo: REUTERS/Anis Mili)
Nervana Mahmoud is a doctor, blogger and writer on Middle East issues. you can follow her on Twitter @Nervana_1