Morocco is home to hundreds of outstanding Jewish cultural sites. This comprehensive guide to Morocco's Jewish heritage sites enables you to learn about one of the largest jewish communities in the Muslim World and allows you to visit some of the most stunning synagogues in the world, take a stroll through the well-known Mullahs (Jewish Quarters), or learn where to celebrate the pilgrimage of Hiloula.
Jewish Synagogues
Temple Beth-El in Casablanca
The majority of Morocco's Jews reside in Casablanca, and the Temple Beth-El is unquestionably the hub of this Jewish neighborhood. It is one of the most renowned historical gems in the city and features stunning glass windows.
Ibn Dannan Synagogue in Fes
Fes had a sizable Jewish population in the 17th century, thus it should not be surprising that the Ibn Dannon synagogue is the city most well-known Jewish location. About 20 years ago, the synagogue underwent renovations thanks to funding from American Express and the World Monuments Fund.
The Slat Lazama Synagogue in Marrakech
The modest blue-and-white Lazama synagogue in Marrakech is located down a winding street. This lovely synagogue, which was first constructed in the 15th century, has a lovely courtyard designed in the riad style.
Chaim Pinto Synagogue Essaouira
The magnificent Chaim Pinto Synagogue is still in use, even though Essaouira's Jewish community is no longer active. When Jewish tour groups and pilgrims travel to Essaouira, it is used.
Synagogue Slat Lkahal Mogador Essaouira
The Synagogue Slat Lkahal Mogador is thought to have been constructed by Jews. The town's Jewish residents gathered here forboth social and religious events. Here, Talmud classes were held, and young people came to perform songs written by the Rabbi'spoets in the synagogue.
Talmud Torah Synagogue Meknes
Jewish Museums
The Museum of Moroccan Judaism in Casablanca
Did you know that the only Jewish museum in the Muslim world is located in Morocco? The museum, which was established by Casablanca's Jewish community in 1997, is filled with artifacts like Torah scrolls, Hanukkah menorahs, vintage images of synagogues, oil lamps, and gold-embroidered Moroccan caftans. Numerous traditional clothing items and other relics of Jewish-Moroccan cultural history can also be found.
Jewish Neighbourhoods (Mellah)
Fes
The mellah at Fes is the oldest mellah in all of Morocco and is frequently described as a maze inside the walls. The region, which dates back to the fifteenth century, has numerous fascinating sites, including 400-year-old tombstones and the Ibn Danansynagogue from the seventeenth century.
Sefrou
Sefrou is a fantastic destination to visit while exploring Morocco's Jewish heritage sites, despite not being as well-known as the neighbouring city of Fes. The town's medina contains the Jewish district, which is distinguished by its low walls. Even if there is no longer a Jewish community in the town, it is nevertheless enjoyable to visit and learn about the rich history of the nation. Don't miss theHebrew- named Kef al Yahudi, a cave that is thought to be the Prophet Daniel's final resting place.
Meknes
In the 1920s, the Jewish community and the Berdugo family made the decision to construct a new mellah because the existing onewas situated on a canyon that sloped downward. The Talmud Torah was finished in 1930, although the first homes and the Rabbi Yeoushoua synagogue were constructed in the late 1920s. Today, Jewish tour groups visit the mellah because of its remarkable construction.
Marrakech
Marrakesh had more than 50,000 Jews living there, according to the 1947 census. Less than 100 remain in existence today. But it's afun spot to visit, the Old Jewish Quarter. When visiting the mellah in Marrakech, there is a lot to look forward to, from stores selling herbs and spices to stalls selling jewelry and crafts. Israeli tourists are commonplace you will find many in this area.
Essaouira
Thousands of Moroccan Jews' descendants now frequently visit the Essaouira mellah as a place of pilgrimage. This is hardly surprising considering that Jews made up the second-largest demographic in the city.
Taroudant
The mellah in Taroundant is a place where you can find many cooperative crafts with Jewish themes and Hebrew letters, even though it is no longer a Jewish area. Numerous souks selling everything from clothing to artwork can be expected.
Sale
The sale had a long history of Jewish presence. A Jewish tombstone was found here in the second century, and in the 13th century, many Jewish immigrants from Portugal and Spain settled here. See how the Jews used to live in Sale by visiting the Bab Lemrissa.
Rabat
About 50 Jewish families now reside in the nearby city of Rabat. Compared to neighboring Jewish neighborhoods like Fes and Marrakech, the Rabat mellah is more recent. It was constructed in the 19th century on the site of fruit orchids inside Medina'fortifications. Jews have been in Rabat since before the advent of Islam, it is vital to note.
Tetouan
The Yitzhak Benoualid cathedral, built in the 18th century, is a prominent feature of Tetouan's mellah, which was officially foundedin 1807. Simply because Tetouan's medina was restored in the 15th century, this Jewish neighborhood is more recent than manyother similar mellahs.
El Jadida
Tinghir (ksar)
The most significant town in the Todra Valley is Tinghir (Ksar), which is well known for its 19th- century Ikelane cupola. There used to be roughly 70 Jewish families in this little hamlet. You are welcome to wander about the ruins of Ksar Asfalou, where Jewish and Muslim pupils studied side by side.
Jewish pilgrimage to Morocco (Hiloula)
The Jewish community in Morocco observes a religious occasion known as Hiloula, the main goal of which is to pray for a good life and the solving of issues. Jews participate in the celebration by praying, lighting candles, and touching the memorial stone at the saint's tomb. Each year, hundreds of Jews travel to Morocco from all around the world. They want to visit the saints' graves on their pilgrimage and pay respect to the land, their ancestors, and themselves.
Hiloula of Saint Rabbi Nessim Ben Nessim Essaouira
Every May, the village of Ait Bayoud (province of Essaouira) hosts the Hiloula of Saint Rabbi Nessim Ben Nessim. Jews from allover the world and local Moroccan Jews congregate during this period.
Mausoleum of Rabbi Amram Ben Diwane Ouazzane
At Rabbi Amram Ben Diwane's Mausoleum, the Hiloula pilgrimage is commemorated each year in May. (Asjen, Ouazzane).
Hiloula Rabbi David Benbaroukh Taroudant
Each year, hundreds of Jews travel to Taroudant to remember Rabbi David Benbaroukh Cohen Azogh and to be in touch with their roots.