Moroccan Jews Destinations
Moroccan Jews are one of the largest and most influential Jewish groups in Islamic countries. After the collapse of the First Temple in 586 BC, Jews migrated from Israel to Morocco, and they continued to arrive even after the Second Temple was destroyed. Deportation of Spain resulted in a huge number of Jews emigrating to Morocco. The Jewish community was then divided into two groups, residents and emigrants. They were entirely dissimilar in language, traditions, and lifestyles. The majority of them live in a “Mellah,” a Jewish neighbourhood in each city.
Morocco’s emergence into a French protectorate in 1912 marked a substantial improvement in the Jews’ circumstances. They lived peacefully with Muslims for many years. But, French culture had a big influence on them. Moroccan Jews have left their mark in the areas where they live, both inside and outside the Mellah. After afterwards, Moroccan Jews began to come to Israel due to a variety of circumstances. The first was the foundation of Israel, and the second was the harmful impact of the War of Independence on Jewish-Arab relations. Furthermore, during Morocco’s independence, the majority of Jews emigrated to Israel, but only a few stayed in Morocco.
Jewish Heritage Sites to Visit for Morocco Jews
With Morocco desert tours, there are many places that jews can visit on Morocco Jewish Heritage Tours. They include visits to the Synagogues where they can celebrate their events. And, they include Mellah that was home to their siblings and grandparents and living surroundings. Moroccan Jews will photograph and involve in the past memories. Moreover, they can explore various cities of Morocco during the trip.
Each city has its own different character and natural beauty. You could also visit cities that are still in the spirit of the Jewish community. In this way, you can catch two birds with one stone. You will link yourself to Jewish roots. And you will enjoy and an unforgettable trip to one of the world’s most magnificent and beautiful places. This trip will be great for those who were born in Morocco and moved to Israel as children. It will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to return to their birthplace. There, they admire the home and area where they were brought up. Then, they explore the environment and atmosphere in which their fathers and grandfathers lived.
Places that Moroccan Jews should visit
Fes
Fes is Morocco’s second-largest city regarded as Maimonides’ seat. Moroccan jews should explore Mella in the old Medina of Fes. It’s worth visiting the famous Jewish cemetery, or “the home of life,” as the Jews referred to all graves. There are notable rabbis buried here, including Dayan Rabbi Yehuda Ben Attar and Lila Solika. They were the Great Truthful in Moroccan Jewish tradition. Then, you see Hebrew inscriptions on tombstones. Next, you can visit the synagogue in Mellah and witness its amazing strength.
Ouazane
Ouazane is a holy site among Moroccan Jews. Many members of the Jewish community lived here. The ancient Jewish cemetery is evidence. The tomb of Rabbi Amram bin Diwan is the most well-known in the area. When he departed the land for violating a restriction on Jewish prayers at the Cave of the Patriarchs during Turkish authority in the 16th century. He then took refuge with the Moroccan Jewish community. His name was passed down through the generations as a miracle worker. On the eve of Lag Bomer, Moroccan Jews still hold a ceremony at his grave here.
Meknes
Meknes is another city of the Jewish community. It is old Medina is where the Jewish “state” and Mellah are. Here, Moroccan Jews can visit the Great Synagogue. In Meknes, there are many known rabbis such as the father of the Rabbinical Court of Morocco, Rabbi Yehoshua Bardugo and Rabbi Baruch Toledano “the Great”. Also, there is Rabbi Baruch Toledano “the Little”, Rabbi Yosef Massas, and Rabbi Raphael Bardugo as “the Angel”. To this day, the synagogues entrusted to these rabbis are closed.
Marrakech
In Marrakesh, a 15th-century wall divides the Jewish area from the rest of the city. It is one of the oldest buildings in the history of Jews. The wall was primarily designed to act as a security screen against Arab attacks. However, it proved to be exceedingly unstable in the end, destroying almost all of the Jewish residents of Marrakesh in 1465. The cause for it was a revolution in which some of the last Marinid sultans, Abd al-Haqqa, was deposed, and his first minister was the Jew Aharon ibn Battas. All Moroccan Jews had to suffer for their high-ranking compatriot’s acts. Many were murdered, and many were forcibly converted to Islam. Following the Jewish race riots in Marrakesh, poor Jews were forced to reside behind the wall.
Casablanca
For most travellers from Europe, Casablanca is the gateway to Morocco. The largest city in Morocco is a modern city that offers a different vibe, a little less traditional and more cosmopolitan. Here you can admire the interesting architecture, especially the magnificent Art Deco buildings, wide streets, a bustling promenade and even a bustling nightlife. The Hassan II Mosque is one of the largest and most magnificent mosques in the world. And it is one of the only mosques in Morocco that non-Muslims can visit. In the 1940s, the Jewish community in Casablanca was the largest in Morocco. Therefore, Jews should visit the city to explore the main synagogue and attractions.
Chefchaouen
This northern city began as a haven for Muslims and Jews escaping the Spanish Inquisition, and some stories suggest that its Jewish population spoke Spanish as late as the late nineteenth century. Even though Jews no longer live in the Blue City, their influence is still in the brilliant colours in every area of this city. In fact, it was the Jewish exiles who opted to paint their structures in blue colour. It is because of their religion, reflecting the sky, ocean, and the inevitability of God’s existence.
Beni Mellal
Beni Mellala city in central Morocco. It was home to many Moroccan Jews who worked there. But, it is still a Jewish destination in Morocco. Moroccan Jews come to the city to visit the tomb of Rabbi Shlomo Amar. He ruled over a court and directed the religious school. It is a centre for Torah and Talmud studies.
The Sus region
The Souss region is the community’s fifth recommended region. It includes the cities of Taroudant and Agadir as Moroccan Jews destinations. There, Jews can also visit the tomb of Ben Baruch Hacohen Azog and rabbi and Kabbalist. It is located on this strip and is a popular place for prayer and pilgrimage. The mausoleum is guarded by the Moroccan royal family and the local ruler. Besides, it is among a large apartment.
Tetouan
The city is also a popular Jewish tourist destination. It has one of the country’s most beautiful synagogues. The synagogue is located in the old city’s Mellah neighbourhood. It was constructed in 1889 and is named after a senior Jewish rabbi in Tetouan who died 19 years later. So, most Moroccan Jews place 7 days tour from Casablanca to explore heritage sites. Yet, you can check tours from Marrakech if you want to start your Jewish tours from this city.
For more different travelling posts, check here.
