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Plage des Juifs (Jews' Beach) at Annaba, Algeria

Annaba, Algeria

The Jewish community of Annaba dates from Roman times, and for many years the city's synagogue (the Ghriba) was a pilgrimage destination for both Jews and Muslims.1 Although no Jews have lived in Annaba since the 1960s, the city's landmarks bear evidence of their history. One of Annaba's famous beaches is la plage des Juifs (the Jews' beach), where the city's Jewish inhabitants would go to swim.2

Description

Annaba Annaba, known as Bône until Algerian independence, dates back to Punic times. It is recorded as having a Jewish population during Roman times; St. Augustine, who lived in the town, would occasionally consult them on matters of Hebrew scripture.3 Until the nineteenth century, the community was no larger than ten or fifteen families, mostly craftsmen who produced jewelry and finished cloth or traders who transported coral and other goods from Annaba to Constantine, Tunis, Algiers, and elsewhere.4 After French colonization, many of the town’s Jews found work as brokers, interpreters, and intermediaries for the colonial authorities. Annaba’s Jewish population rose steeply, growing to 674 by 1866 and 2,181 by 1930.5 After Algeria gained independence in 1962, much of the population emigrated to France or Israel, and by 1965 no Jews remained in Annaba.6 

Plage des Juifs (Jews' Beach) at Annaba, Algeria

Annaba, Algeria

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Gallery

Sources

[1] Laskier, Michael M. "Bone." Encyclopaedia Judaica. Detroit: Macmillan Reference USA, 2007. Accessed August 12, 2014. http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CCX2587503301&v=2.1&u=mlin_m_wellcol&it=r&p=GVRL&sw=w&asid=68f7f06bfb800ed01674a7b18bd3aea1


[2] Amari, Chawki. "Annaba, ses 9 plages et ses 99 histoires." Algérie Actualité. August 4, 2009. Accessed August 13, 2014. http://www.algerie-actualites.com/article.php3?id_article=10275


[2] Culter, Brock. "Annaba (Bône)." Encyclopedia of Jews in the Islamic World. Brill Online, 2014. Accessed August 12, 2014. http://0-referenceworks.brillonline.com.luna.wellesley.edu/entries/encyclopedia-of-jews-in-the-islamic-world/annaba-bone-COM_0004470


[3] Ibid.


[5] Ibid.


[5] Laskier. "Bone."