Amazing

Jewish tours of Morocco

12 Days

Morocco Pro Tours has specially conceived this Jewish tours of Morocco to discover historical Jewish heritage and culture in various parts of this North African
country. For many Jews, Morocco is the land of their ancestors. This Jewish Heritage tour is ideal for travellers who desire to
traverse the country from the Sahara Desert and the Atlas Mountains to city medinas of Moroccan Jewish Heritage.
It offers you an opportunity to visit Jewish cultural sites, including cemeteries, the ancient Mellah districts, remarkable synagogues, and the tombs of influential
Jews. And on this 12-day Jewish Morocco tour, your visits to the interesting Museum of Moroccan Judaism in Casablanca and the unique Adobe Synagogue of
Arazan in Taroudant, are among the absolute highlights

Jewish tours of Morocco

Included :

Accommodation Rated Good by past passengers

Guide Rated Excellent by past passengers

Breackfast

Airport Transfer

Personal Guide

Not Included :

Meals

Flights

Insurance

Any other private expanse

Jewish tours of Morocco

Day 1 : Airport Transfer

The driver will greet you at the airport and escort you to the financial city, with the first views of Moroccan countryside. After you have checked into your hotel
and settled in, you will visit the spectacular Hassan II Mosque. This is the largest mosque in Africa with the highest minaret in the world. It is remarkable for its
location as it is entirely built over the ocean. The mosque is decorated with beautiful tile work and the utmost Moroccan craftsmanship.
At night, you can dine in one of Casablanca’s few kosher restaurants. The night is spent in a hotel or riad.

Day 2 : Casablanca – Rabat

Casablanca is home to over 20 Synagogues and Jewish Neighbourhoods. In this Jewish heritage tour of Casablanca, you will visit Casablanca’s main historic
Synagogues: Temple Beth-El, Temple Em Habanim and Temple Neve Shalom, visit the Museum of Moroccan Judaism, and explore Casablanca’s Jewish
Mellah and Cemetery.
Start your Jewish tour of Morocco by visiting the most famous synagogue, Temple Beth-El. The synagogues’ walls are characterised by stained glass windows
and are inscribed with gilded quotes from the Bible, and massive crystal chandeliers hang from the ceiling. The ark features Hebrew scrolls covered in
exquisitely embroidered velvet coverings. Temple Beth-El is a masterpiece of Jewish architecture and a gathering hub for the vibrant Jewish community in
Casablanca. It is the main synagogue for more than 5000 Jews in Casablanca, who mainly live in the modern part of the city.
Afterwards, explore the Mellah of Casablanca, which is less than a century old. While Jews no longer live in the Mellah, kosher butchers are still found
throughout the narrow streets. The Jewish cemetery in the Mellah is open and worth a visit, with well-maintained white stone markers in Hebrew, French and
Spanish. Every year, the Jewish Community of Casablanca celebrates a hiloula at the tomb of the Jewish saint, Eliahou. There are also historic Mellah
synagogues, including the Temple Em Habanim and the beautifully restored Temple Neve Chalom, which features a gallery of synagogue lamps and
photographs.
After lunch, pay a visit to the Museum of Moroccan Judaism in Casablanca, located in the Oasis neighbourhood of Casablanca. Established in 1997, it is the
first and only museum devoted to Judaism in the Arab world. The museum, whose building originated in 1948 as a Jewish orphanage that housed up to 160
Jewish youth, was renovated in 2013.
Later on, an hour’s drive along the motorway leads to Rabat for the night in a beautiful riad.

Day 3 : Rabat – Fes

After breakfast in your riad, explore the Jewish Mellah of Rabat and its narrow alleyways home to just a few remaining Jewish families. From here, you can visit
the Necropolis at Chellah and learn about its Jewish connections.
After lunch, drive to Meknes for a swift Jewish Heritage Tour of this Imperial City. You will get to visit the Jewish quarter with its narrow streets and colourful
courtyards. The Jewish history is evident in the Hebraic epitaphs dating back to the Christian era and can be seen along with Greek inscriptions on the Meknes
Zaouia. This place of pilgrimage is where the tomb of Rabbi David Benmidan still resides.
Overnight in a beautiful riad.

Day 4 : Fes Sightseeing, Fes Guided Jewish Heritage Tour

Fes is one of the four Imperial Cities in Morocco and among the most well-known in medieval Jewish history. It was home to Rabbi Isaac Alfasi, an influential
Talmudic scholar. It is known for its historical significance and its former Jewish population, who openly celebrated Jewish life, so Fes is, without doubt, a must-
see city for all Jewish travellers.
During your guided Jewish Heritage Tour of Fes, you will explore Jewish Heritage sites that include touring synagogues, visits to medieval universities and
cemeteries and sightseeing of the Mellah along with gardens and Royal Palaces.
Start by visiting the Mellah, over 650 years old. It was once home to more than 40 synagogues. This fascinating neighbourhood adjoins the Royal Palace, where
the Jews sheltered during the 1912 pogrom. You can also visit the nearby cemetery, where there are tombs of more Jewish saints than any other cemetery in
Morocco. One of the prominent saints buried here is Silica.
Later, visit the Danan synagogue, which once was one of many temples inside the Imperial city walls. The Thel Ibn Danan Synagogue is considered to be one
of the oldest and most intact in Morocco. It is also a rare witness to the historical significance of Morocco Jews.
After lunch, explore the old medina of Fes and tour its vibrant alleyways, full of colourful shops, selling leather goods, metal souvenirs and woven cloth. If
desired, you can visit the University of Al-Kairaouine, listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the first educational institution in the world.

Day 5 : Fes Guided Excursion to Jewish Seffrou – Merzouga

After breakfast in your riad, drive to the Sahara Desert via Jewish Seffrou. Travel via Ifrane, nicknamed “the Switzerland of Morocco” because of its European
architecture, cedar forest and yearly snowfall. Visit the synagogues and cemeteries in Ifrane which have been a centre for Jewish pilgrimages for centuries.

Along the road to Seffrou, stop to visit Bhalil cemetery. Morocco’s Jews used to make up a high percentage of Seffrou’s population and half the town’s buildings
from the Mellah, which you can wander around. The white-walled medina of Seffrou is still characterised by Jewish housing, conspicuous by their wooden
balconies. Here Muslims and Jews lived harmoniously next door to each other. They practised their religious rituals in unison; an excellent example of interfaith
dialogue in Morocco.
Near Azrou, you can see Barbary apes in the oak and cedar forests of the Middle Atlas. From here, we drive south over the Middle Atlas Mountains to reach
Midelt, 1508M, which is called “the apple capital” of Morocco. It lies at the foot of the Ayachi Mountain foot and is where we shall stop for lunch.
We continue south travelling over the Tizi-n-Talghemt pass, known as the “she-camel” pass. Then, we descend through the Ziz Valley, which is particularly
well-known for its palm trees and the oasis’s length. There are innumerable “Ksars”, small villages of individual houses often with an intact surrounding wall all
along the road.
From here, we reach the mining town of Er Rachidia and then Erfoud, famous for its date festival and fossils. It is fascinating to see how these millions of fossils
have been worked into artefacts, and so the shops are worth a visit. There is no obligation to buy anything!
After that, you continue to Rissani and finally the famous red Erg Chebbi dunes in Merzouga. You take a camel ride of an hour to an hour & a half, either
setting out from the camp or to it. There is also the possibility of taking the 4×4 to your luxury desert camp. Back at the camp, dinner is served, followed by an
evening of music and the night in a private comfortable tent equipped in style.

Day 6 : Merzouga – Ouarzazate

If you wake up early enough, you can watch the spectacle of the sunrise, when the colour of the dunes and the play of shadows are an awesome sight. After
breakfast at the camp, we leave for Tinghir. On the way, you pass the water channels – “khettarat” – which you can descend into to appreciate the architecture
and genius behind this form of irrigation which prevents evaporation in the summer heat.
The itinerary continues to the Dades Valley, where a visit to the Dades gorges and a short walk is scheduled after lunch. The Valley of the Roses, famous for
its Damascene Rose Festival in May, produces sweetly scented organic cosmetic articles in the cooperatives of Klaat Mgouna. In Skoura and the oasis there,
Kasbah Amredhil waits for a very worth-while visit for an insight into a multi-generational Berber habitation.

Day 7 : Ouarzazate – Taroudant

The Kasbah has been beautifully restored and gives a clear idea of life within such housing. It is made entirely of adobe, an excellent building material; warm in
winter and cool in summer, due to the walls’ thickness. 45 minutes later you reach Ouarzazate, where you spend the night in a guest house.
After breakfast, a 30-minute drive leads to Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the oldest and most famous Kasbah in
Morocco. You will visit the Kasbah with a local guide, who will inform you about the interesting history of this site.
Then we drive west to Taznakht, famous for its Berber rugs, where you can see the ancient art of Berber rug and carpet making. We shall also stop here for
lunch. We continue west, crossing the Tizi-n-Ikhsane and Tizi-n-Tighatine passes before stopping in Taliouine. This is the heart of Morocco’s saffron-growing and
there is a fascinating little government-run museum about saffron horticulture. The road takes us to Taroudant, where a beautiful authentic riad offers dinner and
the night’s rest.

Day 8 : Taroudant – Essaouira

In the morning, a visit is scheduled for the town known as “the little Marrakech”, which is particularly remarkable for its massive ramparts and vibrant local
markets. It is also known for its local crafts including jewellery and Berber rugs. Unlike Marrakech, Taroudant’s massive ramparts are still intact.
The Jewish community in Taroudant has played a significant part in the town’s history and well-being. It has a Jewish Mellah and a Jewish cemetery where the
Saint, David Ben Baruk Cohen Azog is buried. Here, you will have the opportunity to visit one of the only adobe synagogues in the world. This unique 700-year-
old adobe-built synagogue in Azran has Hebrew prayers painted on its walls and an ark with Berber writing.
Beyond Taroudant, you travel along the Souss river valley with all its thousands of argan trees on the slopes, as well as banana and orange plantations. After
lunch in Agadir, the road then continues north up the coast, through Taghazout, a surfer’s paradise, and beside the Anti-Atlas Mountains with varying Atlantic
Ocean views.
Upon your arrival in Essaouira, you driver will escort you to your riad to rest and get settled. You can spend the evening in one of the little cafés in the town
centre.

Day 9 : Essaouira Jewish Heritage Sightseeing

Essaouira is a coastal fishing town known for its Portuguese and Jewish history. It is also famous for its blue boats, white painted houses, fresh seafood and
Gnawa music festival.

After breakfast in your riad, tour the vibrant and windy alleyways of the medina and photograph its massive fortifications. Stop by the local shop selling leather
and metal goods and photograph artisans at work. Later on, visit the vibrant seaport to photograph the famous blue boats and choose a selection of freshly
caught fish to be prepared for lunch on the spot.
In the afternoon, embark on a guided Jewish heritage tour of Essaouira. Explore the Jewish quarter established in the 18th century when the Jews made 40%
of the town’s population. The city had over 25 Jewish Synagogues of which only remain few nowadays.
Discover the recently opened Jewish Synagogues of Essaouira, Bet Ha-Knesset Simon Attias Synagogue. Simon Attias Synagogue has a Jewish museum and
a future cultural centre, which carry the name of historian Haim Zafrani to preserve Moroccan Jewish heritage and strengthen the identity of Essaouira.
Visit, too, the Jewish cemeteries in Essaouira. The older one features Rabi Haim Pinto’s mausoleum, which is the subject of a hilloul every autumn. The other
Jewish cemetery was opened in the 18th century to accommodate the Jewish community’s growing population in the town. Today, several rabbis, intellectuals
and musicians, and other Jewish residents of the coastal town rest here.
Overnight in a beautiful riad at the heart of Essaouira.

Day 10 : Essaouira – Marrakech – Free Half a day in Marrakech

After breakfast, we continue our Jewish Morocco tour driving to Marrakech. Along the way, we pass many Berber villages, stopping perhaps at an argan
cooperative, offering higher quality argan products than that outside of Morocco. So, this is a good opportunity to purchase argan oil products if desired! You
might even be able to witness and photograph the rare sight of goats climbing into the argan branches to devour the leaves and the argan nuts.
Back in Marrakech, you can spend the second half of the day exploring the old medina and tour the vibrant colourful souks. Or simply sit and sip a relaxing
glass of Morocco traditional mint tea in a rooftop terrace overlooking Djemaa El Fna. Dinner can be found in one of Marrakech beautiful Kosher restaurants.

Day 11 : Marrakech Sightseeing Tour – Jewish Tour Guide in Morocco, Marrakech

Marrakech is one of the four Imperial Cities of Morocco and also one of the world’s top-rated and popular destinations. On this Jewish Heritage tour of
Marrakech, you will explore the Jewish Mellah, explore the Lazama Synagogue and discover Marrakech sights of interest.
Start your tour with a visit to the Jewish Mellah, founded in 1558. The Jewish community enjoyed autonomy, even though they were not allowed to own any
property outside the Mellah. Today, there are only about 250 Jews still living in the city. The Mellah quarter has recently been beautifully restored, and these Jewish souks are all worth a visit. The Synagogue Bet-El, one of the main gathering hubs for the Jews of Marrakech, can be visited afterwards.
According to time and inclination, you will visit the following places: the Majorelle Gardens which belonged to Yves St Laurent and is famous for its special
shade of blue, the Yves St Laurent Museum the El Bahia Palace, which means “the palace of the beautiful”, and El Badi Palace. If desired, you can visit the
Quranic School, the Ben Youssef Medersa, which used to house some 80 Quranic students and then the Saadian Tombs.
Spend the night in your beautiful riad.

Day 12 : Airport Transfer

Your driver will transfer you to the airport to catch your flight on time, marking the end of your Morocco Jewish tour. This day will be planned depending on the
flight’s timing and bringing your wonderful Jewish tours or Morocco adventure to a close.