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Morocco Jewish Heritage Tour – A 10-Day Jewish Heritage Morocco Private Tour
Travel to Morocco’s Imperial Cities and Jewish Heritage sites. Indeed this is a fascinating and educational tour for first-time travelers to Morocco who are interested in Jewish Heritage. In addition, the tour will take you to explore historic synagogues, holy tombs, picturesque markets, spice souks, stunning landscapes, and Andalusian gardens. It is also a chance to visit the Jewish Museum which is the first in Africa and the only one in the Muslim world. Attend Jewish services on the Sabbath and bread on Shabbat at a historic Jewish home. This authentic 10-Day Jewish Heritage Tour offers the best Jewish travel experience in the Kingdom of Morocco.
Duration: A 10-Day Jewish Heritage Morocco Private Tour
Morocco Travel: In Mercedes Vito / Luxury 4×4
English, Arabic, French Speaking Driver, Local, Expert Historical Guides
Starting & Finishing Point: Casablanca
►Book a Jewish Heritage Tour or call (800) 787-8806. Let us be your guide to Private Morocco Travel.
ABOUT MOROCCO’S JEWISH HERITAGE TOUR: 10-DAY PRIVATE TRAVEL EXPLORATION EXPERIENCE
The cultural diversity of contemporary Morocco reflects its historic vantage point as a gateway to Europe and the world. Morocco’s Jewish Heritage offers visitors an encounter with ancient historic traditions, customs, architecture, monuments, and sites that have permeated Moroccan society for centuries. the travel exploration’s Jewish Heritage Morocco Tour is for the cultured and sophisticated traveler. It is also a chance to visit the historic synagogues, cemeteries, architectural sites, and natural surroundings of the region along with options to attend Jewish Shabbat services and enjoy dinner at the home of a Rabbi are just a few of the highlights of this tour.
JEWISH HERITAGE TOUR – TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
►First, visit Temple Beth- El Synagogue, Em Habanim & Neve Chalom in Casablanca
►Secondly, explore the Museum of Moroccan Judaism in Casablanca
►Thirdly, Attend Shabbat Services in Fes
► In the final, Stays at the BestBoutiqueRiads and Hotels in Morocco
TOUR ITINERARY:
Day 1: Casablanca Arrival, Jewish Heritage Site seeing Tour & Guided City Visit
Arrival at Casablanca’s Mohammed V Airport. You can have dinner at Kosher Restaurant in Casablanca. In addition, you can visit Temple Beth-El, the Jewish Synagogue in Casablanca. Beth-El is considered the centerpiece that was a vibrant Jewish community. Its stained glass windows and other artistic elements are what attract tourists to this synagogue. You will also have the option to visit Temple Em Habanim and Neve Chalom as time allows.
Overnight in Boutique Hotel in Casablanca.
We visit the Museum of Moroccan Judaism in Casablanca. The Jewish Museum in Casablanca covers an area of 700 square meters and is the first of its kind in the Arab world. In addition, The Museum of Moroccan Judaism of Casablanca is a museum of history and ethnography, created by the Jewish Community of Casablanca in 1997 with the support of the Foundation of Jewish-Moroccan Cultural Heritage. In addition, The Jewish Museum in Casablanca is now a residential neighborhood and holds a treasure trove with it being the Arab region’s only Jewish Museum. It uses world-class standards of conservation for its national and international collections. The Museum of Moroccan Judaism presents religious, ethnographic, and artistic objects that demonstrate the history, religion, traditions and daily life of Jews in the context of Moroccan civilization.
Visit Casablanca’s Jewish Cemetery, Mellah & Synagogues:
The Mellah of Casablanca is young by Moroccan standards, it is a century old. It assaults the senses in the evening, with a sea of women in brightly colored djellabas carrying and selling fruit and vegetables throughout the cramped, narrow streets. At the time Jews were no longer living in the Mellah, kosher butchers were in the old market, next to other butchers selling horse meat. The Jewish cemetery in the Mellah is open and quiet, with well-kept white stone markers in French, Hebrew, and Spanish. In each year, Casablanca celebrates a Hiloula, or prayer festival at the tomb of the Jewish saint, Eliahou.
The Jewish cemetery in the Mellah is open and quiet, with well-kept white stone markers in French, Hebrew, and Spanish. In each year, Casablanca celebrates a Hiloula, or prayer festival in the tomb of the Jewish saint, Eliahou.
The 4,500 Casablanca Jews live outside the mellah in the European city, where they worship in over 30 synagogues, eat in kosher restaurants, entertain themselves in community centers, and attend Jewish schools and social service centers. Beth El is the largest synagogue and an important community center, seating 500 persons.
Visit Temple Beth-El, the Jewish Synagogue in Casablanca. Beth-El is the centerpiece which was a vibrant Jewish community. Its stained glass windows and other artistic elements are what attract tourists to this synagogue.
Explore the Ettedgui Synagogue is well appointed in the Casablanca Medina. The house of worship is located alongside the El Mellah Museum where paintings and photographs are exhibited that retrace the history of Judaism in Morocco. It was one of a dozen synagogues that received funding for restoration and that King Mohammed VI personally attended for its celebratory reopening. The original founders of Ettedgui family was considered part of the bourgeois community of Casablanca. The land was registered in the cadastre 1873 and carried the legacy of the “Makhzen,” with the French protectorate welcoming the construction of the synagogue in 1920. It was partly destroyed in error, at the bombing of the allies in 1942. Ettedgui was rebuilt in the 1980s with the complete reconstruction finalized as part of the rehabilitation project of the old medina of Casablanca launched by the Sovereign in 2010. The synagogue remains a symbol of openness and of peace between Moroccan communities.
We will visit the Mosque of Hassan II’s promontory offers lovely views overlooking Casa in the residential Afna quarter. After touring the Mosque, we head to the new town of Casablanca which was designed by the French architect Henri Prost.
Overnight at a Boutique Hotel or Riad in Rabat.
Day 3: Rabat Guided Historical Tour & City Visit en route to Fes
You can visit the Royal Palace, the Hassan tower which stands on the hill overlooking the Wadi Bou Regreg. As we will as you can visit the gigantic mosque, emblematic of Rabat and famous for its unfinished minaret where storks nest. Furthermore, we will visit the beautiful Mausoleum of Mohammed V decorated with stained glass windows, white marble, and a wrought-iron entryway with a stairway leading to an impressive dome. Also, you can visit the Jewish Mellah which today is now the home of very few Jewish families.
Explore the gardens nearby and visit the Palace of Rabat and visit the Necropolis at Chellah/ Kasbah of Chellah and Kasbah Oudaya. There is also an option to visit the seaside community in Sale, which is the birthplace of Rabbi Hayyim Ben Moses Attar. Attar was an 18th Century Kabbalist born in Morocco in 1696 and known throughout the Jewish world for his Bible commentary with mystical content.
Take the road to visit the Imperial City of Meknes, “the Moroccan Versailles” and the Roman Ruins of Volubilis “Oualili.”
Panoramic View of Meknes – Begin the visit with a panoramic view of Meknes, which offers a splendid look at the old Islamic Medina with its numerous tall and soaring minarets. Moreover, the other sites that we will explore include Bab El Mansour, the Meknes Stables, Hedim Square, the Thursday Gate, and the mosque of Moulay Ismail.
We will also explore the Jewish Mellah & Quarter, with its narrow lanes and colorful courtyards. Clearly, the presence of Jewish history is evident in the Hebraic epitaphs that date back to the Christian era. The epitaphs and Greek inscriptions are seen in the Jewish zaouia in Meknes. The place of pilgrimage is where the tomb of Rabbi David Benmidan resides.
Meknes has a historic Jewish presence. It is home to an ancient Hebraic epitaph that dates back to the Christian era.
Eleven synagogues in total remain in Meknes of which none are currently in use daily. You may visit 1-2 in your guided Jewish Heritage Tour of Meknes along with the local Cemetery and a Jewish School.
Visit Meknes Historic Sites in the Afternoon:
Talmud Torah Synagogue
Jewish Quarter & Cemetery
Royal Stables & Agdal Reservoir
Musée Dar Jamaï, Museum
Bou Inania Medersa
Grand Gate
Old Medina
Bab El-Khemis
17th Century Kasbah
Take the road to the Roman City of Volubilis
Begin your visit by discovering the fascinating Roman ruins adorned with beautiful mosaics and colorful tiles depicting Roman mythology. Furthermore, the ruins are spread out across several acres and what remain visible are several fragments of wall, parts of massive columns, the capitol, the basilica, and a triumphal arch. Moreover, the ruins reveal how the Roman Empire transformed the original Carthaginian settlement into a typical Roman city complete with mansions, a town center, a triumphal arc, and temples devoted to the Roman gods.
Overnight at a Boutique Hotel or Riad in Fes.
Day 4: Fes Historical Tour of UNESCO World Heritage Sites & Jewish Heritage Sites
Visit Jewish & Muslim Historic Sites in Fes:
In our guided historical tour of UNESCO city Fes. You will also visit the Jewish Heritage Sites and Cultural Sites of Fes that combine sites seeing Synagogues, Universities, Mosques, Cemeteries, and the Mellah along with gardens and palaces. Following your guide will offer a connective link between Muslim and Jewish Morocco.
Jewish History of Fes & Historic Fes El Bali
Fes is among the best-known cities in medieval Jewish history. In addition, it was the home of one of the most influential Talmudic scholars of all time. Idriss I in the eighth century was the founder.
It (referred to as Fes El Bali) is among the best-known cities in medieval Jewish history. the city is also the leading spiritual center and the former artistic and intellectual capital in Morocco well respected for its former historic and significant population that celebrated Jewish life. The city also was the home of Rabbi Isaac Alfasi, the most influential Talmudic scholar of all times. Indeed Moulay Idriss in the eighth century was the founder of Fes. This city is also a leading spiritual center and the former artistic, and intellectual capital of Morocco. Well respected for its historic significance and its former Jewish population, who openly celebrated Jewish life, Fes is a must-see city for all Jewish travelers. The name of Fes originates in the word pickaxe (hand tool) which legends say Idriss of Morocco used in silver or gold to create the boundaries of the old city.
In this Guided Jewish Heritage and Culture Tour of UNESCO Fes. You will also visit Jewish Heritage Sites and Cultural Sites of Fes that combine sites seeing Synagogues, Medival Universities, Mosques, Cemeteries, a Children’s School, and the Mellah along with gardens and palaces. Your guide will offer a connective link between Muslim and Jewish Morocco.
The Jewish Mellah:
The Fes Mellah is 650 years old and Casablanca is younger. This picturesque neighborhood also adjoins the royal palace, noted for its recently constructed bright brass doors. Jews took shelter in this palace in the 1912 pogrom.
The Jewish Cemetery:
Fes cemetery is the biggest one in Morocco that has tombs of Jewish saints in Morocco. It also has the tomb of the more important saint Silica, who was killed for refusing to convert to Islam.
Maimonides:
Throughout the old city of Fes, there are traces of ancient Jewish life, including the home of Maimonides, who lived in the town from 1159-1165. Suffering also from the persecutions of the Almohad dynasty, Maimonides emigrated to escape forced conversion. In addition to the face of a declining population, the Jewish community of Fes is working hard to maintain its community spirit and preserve its heritage and traditions. The community center, Centre Communautaire “Maimonides,” is one of the most well organized in Morocco, with a kosher restaurant and modern synagogue on the premises
The Danan Synagogue:
The Danan synagogue was the only one of several inside the walls of Fes, and not the most elaborate. Moreover, the Ibn Danan Synagogue is one of the oldest and most intact synagogues in Morocco. In addition, this synagogue, located in the heart of the mellah (Jewish quarter), is a rare survivor of a pivotal time in Moroccan Jewish history.
Synagogues of Fes
Unmarked on their exteriors – dating from the 17th century: among the most unique in the world. In addition, the Mellah of Fes used to have 40 synagogues. We will also see the vast and picturesque whitewashed Jewish cemetery adjacent to the gates to the Royal Palace and the nascent Jewish Museum at the Em HaBanim synagogue.
Old Medina Muslim Sites & Shopping in Fes:
University of Al-Karaouine
Zaouia Moulay Idriss II
Dar Batha
Zaouia Moulay Idriss II
Dar Batha
Weavers Cooperative
Overnight at a Boutique Hotel or Riad in Fes.
Day 5: Fes Guided Excursion to Jewish Seffrou
Unlike any other city in Morocco, Seffrou was the little Jerusalem of Morocco. It is also a well-developed religious life. Following Morocco’s independence, a Rabbi from Sefrou was elected to Parliament. Sefrou’s mellah also makes up half of the old city. On the road, you can also to Sefrou and makes a short stop to visit Bhalil a cemetery. Moreover, it is a good example of interfaith dialogue in Morocco that can be witnessed in the city of Sefrou. Also in this city lived Muslims and Jews in good harmony and practiced their religious rituals in unison.
Afternoon Option Gardens & Palaces of Fes:
Jnane Sbil Gardens:
Batha Museum & Andalusian Garden
Bou Inania Medersa
Batha Museum & Andalusian Garden
Bou Inania Medersa
Overnight in Fes.
Day 6: Fes Departure to Marrakech via Ifrane & Beni Mellal
On this day or Jewish heritage tour, we take the road to Marrakech.
On the way, At first, we will stop to see the view of Ifrane University and go for a short walk around the garden. the latter also is nicknamed “Little Switzerland” of Morocco for its architecture, cedar forest, and winter ski resort options. Moreover, it snows in this city in the winter months and has a cool climate in the summer and that goes back to its elevation. secondly, we enjoy coffee, tea, and pastries in Ifrane at an outdoor cafe. In addition, we will make a short stop in Zaouia Cheikh which is one of the 30 damns that will be constructed by 2030. Indeed the idea originating with Hassan II to build one dam a year to irrigate the country is the current King Mohammed VI.
Lunch at Hotel Paris in Beni Mellal.
Overnight at a Boutique Hotel or Riad in Marrakech.
Day 7: Marrakech Guides Historical Tour, City Visit, Yves Saint Laurent Gardens & Berber Museum, UNESCO Sites & Jewish Heritage Sites
Visit Marrakech’s Gardens, Palaces, and Jewish Heritage Sites.
The Majorelle Gardens & Berber Museum
The Majorelle Gardens was create Jacques Majorelle. In addition, he was born in Nancy France in 1886. Moreover, the gardens opened to the public in 1947. Moreover, the French fashion designer Yves Saint-Laurent purchased the gardens. In addition today the Majorelle Gardens house is a unique collection of flora and fauna along with the Berber Museum.
The Old Spice Market
The Rahba Kadima is a colorful market filled with a wide array of spices from Cumin, Cinnamon, Saffron, Dried Pepper, etc
The Jewish Mellah
Moulay Abdallah was the founder of the Mellah in Marrakech, the Mellah district was designated as the Jewish quarter in Marrakech.
El Bahia Palace
Our visit will include El Bahia Palace in Marrakech a beautiful building and an excellent example of Eastern Architecture from the 19th century that represents trends and standards of the wealthy that lived at that time. In addition, we will visit the Marrakech Lazama Synagogue in the old medina. Besides the quarter exists in the Kasbah area since1558. The Jewish community enjoyed autonomy. Moreover, Jewish were not able to own any property outside the Mellah and controlled the sugar trade. The number of Jewish that lives in Marrakech is approximately 250 Jews. Most of them live outside the Medina. Visit Synagogue Bet-El, Impasse Des Moulins (Centre American) – Gueliz.
Rabbi Hanania Hacohen Cemetery. the tour also will include, a tour to Rabbi Hanania Hacohen Cemetery, the place of burial for Rabbi Mordekhai Ben Attar, and Rabbi Pinhas Hacohen Azough, where the “patron of Marrakech” resides.
The Saadian Tombs
The Saadian tombs in Marrakech date back to the time of the sultan Ahmad al-Mansur (1578-1603). Moreover, the tombs were recently discovered in 1917. You should also put in mind that the Beaux-arts service was responsible for the repair of the toms. The mausoleum also comprises the corpses of about sixty members of the Saadi Dynasty that originated in the valley of the Draa River.
Overnight at a Boutique Hotel or Riad in Marrakech.
Day 8: Marrakech Day at Leisure – Exploraiton of La Mamounia Gardens & Hammam/ Spa Experience
La Mamounia Gardens
First, you will visit the Mamounia gardens from 1929 and they are very famous because their ceiling is the famous artist who creates the Majorelle gardens. It is also a famous historical landmark hotel and gardens in the center of Marrakech. Above all the 200-year-old avenue of olive trees leads one to the garden pavilion where you can soak in the peace and solitude with a cup of Moroccan mint tea. Following, we will visit the Abderrazzak Benchaabane’s Palmeraie Gardens & Museum.
Indeed Abderrazzak Benchaabane was a Marrakech legend. It is also a quiet and soft-spoken, this renowned Garden Designer, Ethnobotanist, Perfumer, Teacher, Photographer, Writer, and publisher within the converted stables and piste buildings on the property Benchaabane houses his private collection of Moroccan modern and contemporary art.
Overnight at a Boutique Hotel or Riad in Marrakech.
Day 9: Marrakech Excursion to Coastal Essaouira, Jewish Heritage Sites of Essaouira
At first, we depart for Seaside Essaouira, a seaside fishing town known for its Portuguese and Jewish History along with hand-painted charming blue, white, and yellow painted houses, fresh seafood, and an artist community. Secondly, Essaouira’s charming artist colony boasts lovelily whitewashed and blue-shuttered houses, colonnades, thuya wood workshops, art galleries, and mouthwatering seafood. European sailors and traders used to call it Mogador. This town also has an expansive beach for surfing called Plage de Safi. Moreover, each year religious Jews from around the world come to Essaouira for an annual pilgrimage to visit the grave of Rabbi Haim Pinto who passed on in 1845. In addition, the celebration of Hiloul is in Rabbi Haim Pinto’s house and it is in each September. Jacky Kadoch is the president of Essaouira’s Jewish community. Finally, you will explore Essaouira’s main Jewish Heritage sites comprised of ancient history and grand beauty: Attia Synagogue (House of Memory), Haim Pinto Synagogue, Bayt Dakira, the Jewish Mellah, and Old Jewish Cemetery marked by cubist and Amazigh tombstones. At the end of the day, we head to Marrakech to spend our night in Riad in the medina.
Overnight in Marrakech.
Day 10: Marrakech Departure
At final we departure from Casablanca or Marrakech’s airport.