12-Day Grand Jewish Tours of Morocco

Casablanca boasts a rich tapestry of over 20 Synagogues and Jewish communities. On this Jewish heritage tour, you’ll encounter the city’s historic synagogues, including Temple Beth-El, Temple Em Habanim, and Temple Neve Shalom. You’ll also visit the Museum of Moroccan Judaism and wander through the Jewish Mellah and its cemetery.

Begin your exploration at Temple Beth-El, Casablanca’s most renowned synagogue. Admire the stained glass windows, biblical gilded inscriptions, and grand crystal chandeliers. The ark, adorned with Hebrew scrolls in embroidered velvet, stands as a testament to Jewish artistry and is the spiritual center for Casablanca’s 5000-strong Jewish community, predominantly residing in the city’s modern sector.

Venture into the Mellah of Casablanca, a historic Jewish quarter less than a hundred years old. Although the Jewish populace has moved on, kosher butchers still operate in its alleys. The Jewish cemetery here is a serene place, with its pristine white stone markers inscribed in Hebrew, French, and Spanish. The community annually honors the Jewish saint, Eliahou, with a hiloula at his tomb. Visit the historic synagogues within the Mellah, including Temple Em Habanim and the exquisitely renovated Temple Neve Chalom, showcasing a collection of synagogue lamps and historical photographs.

After a midday meal, make your way to the Museum of Moroccan Judaism in Casablanca’s Oasis district. Inaugurated in 1997, it stands as the sole museum dedicated to Jewish culture in the Arab world, housed in a building that began as a Jewish orphanage in 1948 and was refurbished in 2013.

Conclude your day with a scenic hour-long drive to Rabat, where you’ll spend the night in the welcoming embrace of a charming riad.

Begin your day with a delightful breakfast at your riad, then set out to discover the Jewish Mellah of Rabat, a historic enclave with narrow passageways sheltering the last few Jewish households. Continue to the ancient Chellah Necropolis, where you’ll uncover its storied Jewish heritage.

Post-lunch, embark on a journey to Meknes for an enlightening Jewish Heritage Tour. Traverse the Jewish quarter’s slender lanes and vibrant courtyards, where Hebraic tombstones dating to the Christian era bear witness to the city’s Jewish past, alongside Greek inscriptions at the Meknes Zaouia. Here, the revered tomb of Rabbi David Benmidan beckons pilgrims from near and far.

Conclude your day with an overnight stay in a splendid riad, steeped in beauty and tranquility.

Fes, renowned as one of Morocco’s Imperial Cities, holds a prestigious place in medieval Jewish history. It was the abode of Rabbi Isaac Alfasi, a revered Talmudic scholar. Celebrated for its historical importance and the vibrant Jewish community that once flourished here, Fes is an essential destination for Jewish travelers.

Your guided tour of Fes’ Jewish heritage will take you through ancient synagogues, medieval academic institutions, cemeteries, and the Mellah, with its gardens and royal edifices.

Begin in the Mellah, a neighborhood over 650 years old, historically housing more than 40 synagogues. Adjacent to the Royal Palace, it served as a refuge for Jews during the 1912 pogrom. The nearby cemetery is notable for containing the tombs of numerous Jewish saints, including the esteemed Silica.

Continue to the Danan Synagogue, once among the many temples within the city’s walls. The Thel Ibn Danan Synagogue stands out as one of Morocco’s oldest and best-preserved, bearing testament to the significant legacy of Moroccan Jews.

Post-lunch, meander through the old medina of Fes, alive with shops displaying leather, metalwork, and textiles. Optionally, visit the University of Al-Kairaouine, recognized by the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s oldest educational institution.

After savoring breakfast at your riad, set off on a scenic drive to the Sahara Desert, passing through the historically Jewish town of Seffrou. Journey through Ifrane, often referred to as “the Switzerland of Morocco,” admired for its European-style architecture, lush cedar forests, and annual snowfall. Take time to explore the synagogues and cemeteries that have long been pilgrimage sites for the Jewish community.

En route to Seffrou, make a stop at the Bhalil cemetery. Once a significant part of Seffrou’s demographic, the Jewish community’s influence is still evident in the Mellah, inviting exploration. The medina’s white walls, marked by distinctive wooden balconies, speak to a time when Muslims and Jews lived side by side, sharing and respecting each other’s religious practices—a testament to Morocco’s history of interfaith harmony.

As you approach Azrou, keep an eye out for the Barbary apes inhabiting the oak and cedar woodlands of the Middle Atlas. Your journey continues southward, ascending the Middle Atlas Mountains to reach Midelt, nestled at 1508 meters above sea level and renowned as Morocco’s “apple capital,” sitting at the base of Mount Ayachi. Here, you’ll pause for a refreshing lunch.

The adventure proceeds over the Tizi-n-Talghemt pass, affectionately dubbed the “she-camel” pass, before descending into the Ziz Valley, celebrated for its sprawling palm groves and oasis. Along the way, discover countless “Ksars”—quaint villages encased within ancient walls.

Your path leads to the mining town of Er Rachidia and onward to Erfoud, celebrated for its vibrant date festival and rich fossil history. The local shops, brimming with fossilized artifacts, offer a glimpse into this prehistoric legacy without any pressure to purchase.

Finally, you arrive at the iconic red dunes of Erg Chebbi in Merzouga. Embark on a memorable camel ride across the sands, or opt for a 4x4 drive to your opulent desert camp. As the evening unfolds, indulge in a sumptuous dinner, enjoy the rhythms of traditional music, and settle into a luxuriously appointed tent for a night under the stars.

Arise with the dawn to witness the desert awakening, where the interplay of light and shadow upon the dunes creates a breathtaking tableau. Following a hearty breakfast at the camp, your journey leads you to Tinghir. Along the way, marvel at the “khettarat” – ancient water channels ingeniously designed to minimize evaporation amidst the summer’s fervor.

Your voyage then takes you to the verdant Dades Valley. Here, post-lunch, you’re invited to explore the majestic Dades Gorges and enjoy a leisurely stroll. The Valley of the Roses, celebrated for its fragrant Damascene Rose Festival in May, is also home to cooperatives in Klaat Mgouna that craft aromatic organic cosmetics.

Next, in the oasis of Skoura, the venerable Kasbah Amredhil beckons, offering a glimpse into the enduring Berber way of life across generations.

This adobe fortress, meticulously restored, stands as a testament to traditional living – its thick walls providing solace from the winter chill and respite from the summer heat. A brief 45-minute journey from here brings you to Ouarzazate, where you’ll retire for the night in the welcoming comfort of a local guest house.

Following breakfast, embark on a brief half-hour journey to the storied Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it stands as Morocco’s most ancient and celebrated Kasbah. Accompanied by a knowledgeable local guide, you’ll delve into the captivating history of this architectural marvel.

Next, the route takes you westward to Taznakht, renowned for its exquisite Berber rugs. Here, witness the time-honored craft of rug and carpet weaving. A leisurely lunch awaits you in this artisan town. The journey continues across the Tizi-n-Ikhsane and Tizi-n-Tighatine passes, leading to Taliouine, the epicenter of Morocco’s saffron cultivation. Explore a small yet intriguing government-operated museum dedicated to the art of saffron farming.

The day’s travels conclude in Taroudant, where you’ll be welcomed by the warm hospitality of a traditional riad, offering a sumptuous dinner and a restful night’s stay.

Your day begins with a planned visit to Taroudant, affectionately dubbed “the little Marrakech,” celebrated for its grand ramparts and bustling markets, a hub for local handicrafts like jewelry and Berber rugs. Unlike its larger counterpart, Taroudant’s fortifications stand unblemished by time.

The town’s Jewish heritage is deeply woven into its fabric, with a Mellah and a cemetery housing the revered Saint David Ben Baruk Cohen Azog’s grave. A highlight is the rare chance to explore an ancient adobe synagogue in Azran, adorned with Hebrew prayers and an ark inscribed in Berber script, a 700-year-old testament to the Jewish faith.

Journeying from Taroudant, you’ll traverse the verdant Souss river valley, lined with argan trees and dotted with banana and orange groves. Post-lunch in Agadir, the route ascends northward along the coast, passing through Taghazout, a haven for surfers, and skirting the Anti-Atlas Mountains, offering ever-changing views of the Atlantic.

Arriving in Essaouira, your driver will guide you to the comfort of your riad. As evening descends, immerse yourself in the local ambiance at one of the quaint cafés nestled in the heart of town.

Essaouira, a charming seaside town, is steeped in Portuguese and Jewish heritage, celebrated for its iconic blue boats, whitewashed abodes, delectable seafood, and the rhythmic Gnawa music festival.

Post-breakfast at your riad, meander through the medina’s lively, breezy passageways, capturing images of its formidable walls. Pause at a local boutique to observe and photograph skilled artisans crafting leather and metal wares. Later, head to the bustling harbor to snap shots of the signature blue boats and indulge in a seafood feast, freshly prepared just for you.

In the afternoon, delve into Essaouira’s Jewish legacy with a guided tour. Traverse the Jewish quarter, a vibrant community since the 18th century, once home to a significant Jewish populace. Although only a few of the original 25 synagogues remain, they are a testament to the city’s rich history.

Visit the Bet Ha-Knesset Simon Attias Synagogue, a recently inaugurated synagogue with an accompanying Jewish museum and a forthcoming cultural center named after the esteemed historian Haim Zafrani, dedicated to preserving and celebrating Moroccan Jewish culture.

Also, explore Essaouira’s Jewish cemeteries, including the ancient one housing Rabbi Haim Pinto’s mausoleum, honored annually with a hiloula. The newer cemetery, established in the 18th century, serves as the final resting place for many of the town’s Jewish rabbis, intellectuals, musicians, and residents.

Conclude your day with an overnight stay in a delightful riad nestled in the heart of Essaouira.

Following your morning meal, the journey to Marrakech unfolds, meandering through quaint Berber villages. A potential stop at a local argan cooperative may present the chance to acquire premium argan oil products, a specialty of Morocco. Along the way, keep an eye out for the unique spectacle of goats perched in argan trees, nibbling on leaves and nuts—a perfect photo opportunity.

Once in Marrakech, the latter part of your day is yours to command. Dive into the heart of the old medina to discover the bustling, colorful souks. Alternatively, unwind with a traditional Moroccan mint tea on a rooftop terrace, offering a panoramic view of the animated Djemaa El Fna square. As the day wanes, enjoy a sumptuous dinner at one of Marrakech’s esteemed Kosher dining establishments.

Marrakech, celebrated as one of Morocco’s Imperial Cities and a globally renowned travel gem, invites you on a Jewish Heritage tour. This journey will take you through the historic Jewish Mellah, the revered Lazama Synagogue, and to the heart of Marrakech’s captivating attractions.

Begin your exploration in the Jewish Mellah, established in 1558, where the Jewish community thrived with a degree of self-governance, despite restrictions on property ownership beyond the Mellah. Presently, a small yet vibrant community of about 250 Jews remains in the city. The Mellah has been lovingly restored, offering a glimpse into the past through its bustling Jewish souks. A visit to the Synagogue Bet-El, a central meeting place for Marrakech’s Jewish residents, follows.

As time permits, immerse yourself in the beauty of the Majorelle Gardens, once owned by Yves St Laurent and famed for its unique blue hue. Explore the Yves St Laurent Museum, the El Bahia Palace—aptly named “the palace of the beautiful”—and the historic El Badi Palace. For those interested, the Ben Youssef Medersa, a former Quranic school for some 80 students, and the Saadian Tombs are also available for exploration.

Your day concludes with a restful evening in the comfort of your exquisite riad.

Your chauffeur will ensure a timely departure to the airport, signaling the conclusion of your enriching Jewish heritage tour of Morocco. The day’s itinerary will be tailored to align with your flight schedule, culminating your memorable journey through Morocco’s storied landscapes and rich cultural tapestry. Safe travels!