BEST MOROCCO JEWISH TOURS IN 2019
Best Morocco Jewish Tours in 2019
Morocco has many Jewish Heritage sites, which are among the widely visited on the globe. Selecting a tour for you and your family can be a little daunting, but we know that you would not want that to happen.
We know that you would want each to tour or visit Morocco to match your needs. When traveling through the country, expect to encounter fascinating cultures that reflect both the North African and European influences. Here are some of The Top Attractions For Jews In Morocco to try this year.
The Museum of Moroccan Judaism
The Muslim world only offers only one Jewish Museum, which you will find in Morocco. The Museum of Moroccan Judaism remains open throughout the day for six days each week – you can also benefit from private appointments on Sundays.
The Jewish community established the museum in the year 1997 in Casablanca as an ethnography and history museum. Today, the museum holds many collectibles like oil lamps, Hanukkah menorahs, traditional costumes, and marriage contracts.
Chefchaouen
Situated in the Rif Mountains, the Chefchaouen was a fortress city for the Jewish protection against the Portuguese invasions. The population of Jews and Moriscos who were escaping the Spanish persecution increased rapidly during the Spanish Reconquista. Today, people associate the city with its blue color. Since the early 1930s, people have been painting doors, houses, passageways, and stairs with blue shades. The main reason why the city’s Jews painted their houses blue is unclear.
Read More : Jewish Tours To Morocco 2019
Essaouira
During the Jewish history in Morocco discussions, one city will never miss – the Essaouira. Essaouira was one of the two ports in Morocco that were open to the European trades in the 18th century – the other port was Tangier.
The then Sultan Sidi ben Abdalla settled several Jewish families in this city, which was known as Mogador. Due to the trade, the population increased rapidly to a point where the number of Muslims and Jews was almost equal.
Even though the number of Jews in the city is minimal, there are many sites to visit. The Rabbi Chaim Pinto grave is one of them and remains open every September. The Jews cemetery features human forms, contrary to the traditions.
Hayel Mella
The Arab families have slowly taken over the ancient walled Jewish quarter, Hayel Mella, particularly due to Jewish emigration. Today, the quarter features small shops compared to those you expect in Kasbah and Souks.
Some of the most recent refurbishment and investments in Mella include the renovation of the last standing synagogue, the Slat el-Azama Synagogue in Marrakech.
Originally, the place of study and worship was built in 1442 after the Jews arrived in the city after fleeing the expulsion from Spain. People call the Slat el-Azama Synagogue the “Synagogue of Exiles” and it once hosted generations of Berbers who later converted to Judaism and moved to the villages to learn the Torah.
Read More : 7 of the Best Tourist Sites in Morocco
The Em Habanim
The city of Sefrou, situated on the foot of the Middle Atlas Mountains, played an important role during the trade routes. At some time, the cultural crossroads was among the few cities that had a very high Jewish population.
Em Habanim is one of the interesting sites to find in the place and features many Jewish Moroccan schools in addition to an orphanage. The schools have provided education for the Jewish Moroccans for over 5 decades.
Read More : A Complete Profile Of Morocco Country
Whether your primary goal is to explore Jewish Morocco or to discover new pieces of the Jewish society, which exists today, the sites will provide you with a good starting place. A properly planned cultural and historical adventure will provide you with a great experience.