Ghriba

Ghriba is a term used in North African cuisines and in Jewish-Arabic culture to refer to two distinct things: a family of crumbly cookies and the El Ghriba synagogue in Djerba, Tunisia. The cookie, known across Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia, is a traditional shortbread that yields a delicate, melt-in-the-mouth texture. Ghriba cookies are typically made from ingredients such as almond meal, sesame seeds, semolina, or flour, bound with sugar and oil or butter, and flavored with lemon zest, orange blossom water, or vanilla. Variations exist by country and family tradition, with some versions including egg whites, and some dusted with powdered sugar or sesame seeds. They are commonly served at holidays, celebrations, and Ramadan gatherings.

El Ghriba is a historic synagogue located in the island town of Djerba (Houmt Souk). It is widely regarded as one of the oldest synagogues in the world, with a long history of Jewish worship in the region. The site has undergone periods of damage and restoration, including a deadly attack in 2002 that drew international attention. Today it remains a focal point of Djerba's Jewish heritage and a destination for visitors and pilgrims during certain religious observances. The name El Ghriba differentiates this building from other uses of the term.