Zarzis Synagogue ( ) also known as Beit HaKnesset Mishkan Ya’akov ( ) , is located in the coastal town of Zarzis , Tunisia . It was built in around 1900 when the Jewish community of Zarzis numbered approximately 1,000 . An arson attack in 1982 by local Arabs following Sabra and Shatila massacre of Muslim Palestinians by Christians in Lebanon , left the synagogue and Torah scrolls totally destroyed . It was subsequently rebuilt and is currently used by the town 's remaining 100 Jews . The lavishly decorated synagogue leads into an open-air courtyard which has adjoining rooms which serve as the talmud torah . The head of the community is Eliyahu Sofer
Sabra and Shatila massacre
Sabra and Shatila massacre
Zarzis Synagogue