TUNISIA AND ITS JEWISH COMMUNITIES:
PAST AND PRESENT
May 17-26, 2011

Leading this tour will be Hatem Bourial, one of Tunisia's leading personalities in the realm of Tunisian culture, history and literature. An author of seven books, host of a morning television segment, radio host and weekly newpaper columnist, Hatem's wealth of knowledge and affable nature, makes an exploration of Tunisia a very special treat!

Your host for part of this very special tour will be TunisUSA founder, Jerry Sorkin.

Sorkin, a specialist in Middle East and North African studies, has spent considerable time in Tunisia over nearly three decades. During this time he has developed close relationships with a myriad of Tunisians in various parts of the country and of various walks of life, including the Jewish communities in Tunis and on the island of Jerba.

Sorkin is a frequent lecturer with lecture invitations including a UNESCO sponsored conference in Tunisia, the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C., the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Washington, the University of Sousse in Tunisia and the World Affairs Council in Philadelphia. He also served as a consultant and had an appearance on The Sahara, a fall 2006 documentary produced for the History Channel and in 2009 and 2010, was awarded "Top Travel Specialist" for Tunisia by Conde Nast Traveler magazine.

During this in-depth tour, participants will not only see Tunisia, but will experience the country and its people in a manner that few tours can offer. A particular highlight will be the opportunity to meet and interact with the Jerban Jewish community, including attending activities for the festival Lag B'omer. The Jerban community, which dates its presence on the island to more than 2,000 years, is normally, very insular.

Due to the nature of this deluxe tour and some of the venues visited, space is limited!

Tuesday, May 17 - Tunis arrival
Upon your arrival, mid-day in Tunis from your European gateway, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel in the suburbs of Tunis. The remainder of the afternoon is free for rest and relaxation from your flight. A pre-sundown rendezvous at the hotel will be arranged. dinner this evening will be at a restaurant specializing in Tunisian Jewish style cuisine. Overnight in Tunis-Gammarth. (D)

Wednesday, May 18 - Tunis environs
This morning, you start your day with a visit to the Bardo Museum, a former Ottoman palace housing one of the finest collections of Roman and Carthaginian mosaics in the world. This will help set the stage in learning about Tunisia's history during Roman times. From the Bardo, you drive to the suburbs of Tunis where you will visit Carthage, the most famous (though by no means the largest) of the ancient sites in Tunisia, but one in which historians find traces of Jewish presence.

Antonine's bath at Carthage

A visit will also be made to the nearby U.S. World War II cemetery, where you will have a brief lecture about the battles fought in Tunisia during the second world war. Following your visit to the ruins of this ancient Phoenician city, you continue to the nearby picturesque village of Sidi Bou Said, whose architecture was inspired by its Andalusian settlers. Lunch will be near the seaside.

Door in Sidi Bou Said with bougainvillea

A pre-dinner walk through La Marsa, a seaside town near your hotel that served as the summer residence of the Ottoman Bey. Dinner and overnight in Tunis-Gammarth. (B, L, D)

I had never traveled in a country where women wear veils. As an American woman, I had no idea what to expect. What I found was consistent friendliness. A smile was always met with a smile!
Our guide, Hatem Bourial, added immeasurably to the quality of the trip. He has a breadth of knowledge of history, architecture, literature, religion and the culture of his country that is staggering. Add to that an ability to spot an opportunity for a spontaneous encounter, an entertaining way of telling a story, and careful attention to the interests of each member of the tour, and you have a recipe for a top-notch guide!
I absolutely loved Tunisia, and certainly think the word needs to get out.
Jerilyn Cohen
Los Angeles, CA

Thursday, May 19 - northwest Tunisia
This morning you depart Tunis to the northwest, taking scenic country roads through this region of Tunisia that was not only the breadbasket for the Roman Empire, but also home to small Jewish populations until the early 1980's. Upon arrival in El Kef (known under the French as "Le Kef"), you will get to see some of the historic aspects of El Kef, including a visit to a restored synagogue where you will hear about the former Jewish community of the town.

Restored synagogue in El Kef

From El Kef, you drive to Dougga. Dougga is Tunisia's largest Roman site. Covering some sixty acres, Dougga was known as the city of temples and its existence is thought to date back to the 4th century B.C.

Roman theater at Dougga

Following your visit to Dougga, you head back toward Tunis, passing through Testour, which also had a small Jewish community. Lunch will be in the region. Late afternoon arrival in Tunis. The remainder of the afternoon and evening is at your leisure. Dinner tonight is independent. TunisUSA will provide suggestions on dining options and how to get to them. Overnight in Tunis-Gammarth. (B, L)

Friday, May 20 - northwest/Tunis
Today's touring will be within Tunis, starting with a visit to the Jewish cemetery in Borj Ciel, providing some background on the Tunis Jewish community.

Hatem Bourial lecturing about Tunis Jewish history

You then visit Le Grand Synagogue in Tunis with a additional lecture on the synagogue and the local community. From the synagogue, you go to the historic heart of Tunis, the medina. Following a walking tour which will point out the historical and architectural aspects, you will have free time to wander amidst the many shops and alleyways within the souk.

The medina of Tunis is an architectural delight and a shopper's paradise!

Lunch will be independent, with suggestions being provided for locations within walking distance. A mid afternoon rendezvous for those who wish to return to your hotel to enjoy your seaside properties many amenities. Evening rendezvous for a Shabbat dinner with members of the Tunis Jewish community. (B, D)

Learning about Le Grand synagogue of Tunis

We are world travelers and the trip to Tunisia was one of the best vacations that we have had. We usually travel independently and have not been on a group tour in many ears. For the trip to Tunisia, we were with a group of ten people. The other members of the group were seasoned travelers and very interesting companions. We bonded immediately.
Because we are Jewish, we had some concerns about traveling in a Muslim country. Our fears were unnecessary. The people in Tunisia were friendly, open and interested in talking to Americans. They were also well versed in American politics. We felt completely safe throughout the entire trip.
In toto, it was a magnificent experience that we will always remember.
Paula and Alfred Stillman
Bala Cynwyd, PA

Saturday, May 21 - Tunis and Shabbat
This morning is unstructured. For those who would like to attend Shabbat services at a synagogue, arrangements will be made to direct you to a synagogue that is in La Goulette, a suburb of Tunis. This afternoon, there will be an excursion to the north of Tunisia, visiting some of the rural fishing villages, as well as the Punic site of Utica. Dinner tonight in an interesting venue. Overnight in Tunis. (B, D)

A prayer service at the La Goulette synagogue in Tunis area

What a truly once in a lifetime adventure. Tunisia is simply a gem with so much to discover - from quaint villages to ancient ruins to incredible vistas of the sea and the desert.
One of the most surprising elements of my vacation was how welcoming the Tunisia people were to Americans. They took every chance they could to practice their English and discuss popular American music and television shows! They truly welcomed us with open arms.
I always felt safe in Tunisia, and as a young woman who frequently travels abroad, this was a pleasure! I recommend traveling to Tunisia, and particularly, this tour, to anyone who wants to visit a country without falling into "tourist traps". And those longing to experience the true, undeveloped culture of this unique country.
Thank you Jerry for organizing the trip of a lifetime!
Arielle Liberman
San Francisco, CA

Sunday, May 22 - Jerba
You depart this morning on a flight to the island of Jerba. In the Jewish calendar, today is the 18th of Iyar, the beginning of the Jewish festival of Lag B'Omer. While the festival is not very celebrated in the West, among the Jews of North Africa, particularly Tunisia, this is a festive day celebrating the spring and a time to pay homage to prominent Jewish scholars in North African Jewish history. This afternoon you will mix with the Jerban Jews who participate in the day by joining in the procession of the community's menara to the Ghriba synagogue, joined by literally thousands of Jews visiting the island from Israel, France and elsewhere. This is a day unlike other days throughout the year in Jerba, with pilgrims and indigenous Jerbans, both Jew and non-Jew participating. Unlike other activities throughout the year in Jerba, Jewish men and women both, participate in the frenzy of the pilgrimage. You will be able to witness and participate in the activities taking place in conjunction with the festival. The atmosphere around the Ghriba synagogue in the late afternoon becomes very carnival like. Speeches, song, processions and lots of festive activity will be taking place. A buffet dinner will be at your hotel later in the evening. Overnight in Jerba. (B, D)

Celebration at the Ghriba for Lag B'omer

Visiting the Ghriba synagogue

Monday, May 23 - Jerba
You start the day with an island tour of Jerba. The island has a special character. You will have a walking tour of the village of Hara Kabira, the largest of the island's two Jewish villages. Your visit to the "hara" will include seeing some of the village's synagogues. Hara Kabira has nearly a dozen synagogues, most of which are still in use today. You will have the opportunity to visit the communal oven of the Jewish community and hear about the role it plays in the holiday and Shabbat meals, as well as hearing about the active role of Jewish education in Jerba, today. Your island tour eventually brings you to Houmt Souk, Jerba's main market town and the location of many of Jerba's Jewish merchants. After having a walking orientation of Houmt Souk and its souk, you may choose to spend some time exploring Houmt Souk independently, along with the option of enjoying lunch at one of the many seafood restaurants or you may return to our hotel to relax by the pool or ocean. The remainder of the afternoon is unstructured. Dinner and overnight at your hotel. Overnight in Jerba. (B, D)

Traveling with Jerry Sorkin in Tunisia meant traveling with someone who knows everybody: an important Tunisian Senator/businessman who is also Jewish, a Moslem who was instrumental in restoring the synagogue in his town, Berber Jews on the island, Djerba, as they celebrated Lag B'Omer and more. We climbed around magnificent Roman sites in fantastic condition: a coliseum, an amphitheater, a Roman town built below the ground and more. All the time, we enjoyed the Tunisians' warm and friendly hospitality. Moslem and Jew cared about our learning about their country. They thanked us for coming. This is a comfortable trip packed with pleasant surprises. I loved it.
Rhea Dorn
Costa Mesa, CA

Tuesday, May 24 - Matmata/Gabes/Sfax
This morning you depart the island of Jerba and drive to the region of Matmata, a region known for its troglodyte, or underground dwellings. You will have an opportunity to visit one of these dwellings before heading north to El Hamma, also a site of pilgrimage for many Jerban Jews. From El Hamma, you drive to Gabes, an oasis town and once home to a small Jewish community. You will have the opportunity to go through the oasis by horse drawn carriage and learn about life within an oasis. From Gabes, you continue north with an eventual arrival to Sfax by late in the day. Overnight in Sfax. (B, L, D)

Visiting one of the synagogues in Sfax

Wednesday, May 25 - El Jem/Kairouan/Tunis
This morning you start early with a visit to a synagogue in Sfax before driving northwest to El Jem to see the Roman coliseum, the largest of its kind in North Africa. El Jem also has a wonderful museum of mosaics.

Exploring El Jem

From El Jem, you drive to Kairouan. Kairouan is today, a rather provincial town. The city was founded and subsequently developed during early Islamic times, with Kairouan's Great Mosque, dating from -the 7th century, reputed to be the oldest mosque in Africa. During medieval times, it also had a Jewish community whose scholars nearly rivaled those of Babylonia. Kairouan's location along the caravan routes also provided a base for a flourishing crafts industry. The region still provides the base for much of Tunisia's craft industry, particularly rugs and textiles.

Interior of the Grand Mosque of Kairouan

From Kairouan, you return to Tunis, arriving late in the day. Your hotel is in the heart of the city. You will have a brief opportunity to return independently to the medina, a short walk from your hotel. This evening's farewell dinner will be in a wonderful setting. Dinner and overnight in Tunis. (B, L, D)

The travel experience with phenomenal. Although my goals centered on the pilgrimage and the Jewish aspects of the tour, the entire experience left us extremely thankful that we chose to travel with Tunis USA. An additional bonus was the diverse city of people traveling with us, yet the commonality and interest in the far-flung Jewish community that still exists in Tunis, Sfax , and Derba. With the focus on Tunisia, I think the group bonded together beautifully.
I want to thank you for the phenomenal experience that you provided and I hope that more people in the future will choose to visit this wonderful country. This is a jewel of a country in North Africa but very few Americans witness. After our experience, I hope that more people from the USA will choose to visit Tunisia for its multicultural experience.
Best wishes and thank you very much. Please give our best regards to Hammadi when you see him next.
Robert B. Lehman
Baltimore, Maryland

Thursday, May 26 - Tunis departure
Transfers will be arranged to take you from your hotel to the airport for your return flights to the U.S. (B)

Tunisia is a hidden treasure in the heart of North Africa with an extremely rich culture. Its success over the years has been the fact that has managed to successfully develop a milieu of co-existence amongst Jews, Christians, and Muslims whereby modernity serves as a common denominator and religion does not get in the way of one's day-to-day life. It is not to say that Tunisia has no problems but the political stability, and economic foresight should serve as a paradigm for other Middle Eastern states.
Asaf Romirowsky
Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA