Some
of the music and voices heard during this week's show were recorded
in Djerba, Tunisia, this past Monday by our contributor Judie
Fein. Judie went to Tunisia for the Lag B'Omer Festival, which
takes place every year in the 2,500 year old Jewish community
there. But there was concern this year because of a suicide bombing
3 weeks ago, now linked to al-Qaeda. Tragically, 19 people died,
most of them Europeans.
Judie
spoke with tourists from all over Europe this week who traveled
to Djerba, despite the headlines. She says the Tunisian government
has tightened security in Djerba, and there are now escorts from
the airport. And, the Tunisian minister of tourism plans personal
visits to victim's families in Europe. Judie says that, while
the crowds were smaller this year, the Lag B'Omer festival still
managed to carry on successfully.