Jewish communities in Morocco?

The latest LP to Morocco (February 2007) says that there is ' an estimated 8000-10,000 sized...' Jewish population in Casablanca.. On searching in TT there is mention of Jews living in Essaouira. Can anybody verify this and advise of a functioning synagogue in Casablanca OR Essaouira. As a former student of both Jewish and Islamic studies, Anthropology and Sociology AND having visited synagogues and communities in obscure locations, I would love to visit one in Morocco when I get there in December.

There's a synagogue near place Oued el Makhazine in the centre of Casa and a Jewish Museum. I am under the impression that the last Jews had left Essaouira recently. There is a Moroccan Jewish website you should have a look at (you will have to surf the net to find it!) and there was info about Essaouira there. Also a modern synagogue in Rabat near the old mellah plus kosher restaurant. And in the old mellah in Marrakech. Also a community in Tangier. Most of the mellahs have a fair number of synagogues, most closed but some accessible as private houses. Or a sports hall (Fes).

If you want seriously obscure, I was assured there still was a rural community in the High Atlas near Bou Thrarar (not far from Boumalne). The big kasbah used to function as a mellah apparently and the boys still wear sidelocks and skullcaps. I found this incredible but there you are.

Fes has the best old mellah with a superb row of Ottoman style houses along the outside, complete with balconies and shutters. Sort of Jewish version of English Regency.

Apparently there are still Jewish businesses in Chefchaouen so there may well be a synagogue there.

There used to be communities in the south on the caravan routes. Souk Ifrane in the Anti Atlas has a wonderful primitive synagogue and a very, very old cemetery. It was reckoned to be the oldest community in Morocco.

Hi Bibbie,

Check e.g. this google seach for more info.

Take care,

K.

I think that first google entry links to the site I mentionned. Plenty for you to work on there.

Don't miss this one

There are indeed still Jews in Essaouira, actually - very few, though. I know three personally, but they're not very religious.

Meknes also has about 20 Jewish families still living in and around the Mellah (if you want a Jewish contact in Meknes, send me a PM). There is an operating synagogue there. There is also an operating synagogue in Marrakech, don't know how many families.

The Andonemorefortheroad link looks very interesting. It mentions the Perez family in the Draa - the orthodox rabbi in Nottingham (UK) is a Perez from Casa. Almost makes me feel at home.

Check out the link supplied by #4 for the Jewish Mellah in Fès. I went to an interesting Jewish cemetery here, as well as a beautiful synagogue restored by UNESCO. It is still in use.

I live just besides a synagogue here in Casablanca.
Send me a PM to indicate you the coordonates.

Hi there!
As living in Marrakech..i can tell there's a lovely synagogue but the number of jewish living there is far away from beeing huge!
288 persons in Marrakech to be precise!
The "grand rabin" is a great guy,full of humour&positive way of thinking and very respected in Morocco by all!
Cheers!oliver.