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The history of the Jewish people in Morocco is one of respect and admiration.
Since 1492 when three million European Muslims and Jews immigrated to Morocco from Spain, they have lived alongside Arabs and Berbers for centuries, while retaining their traditions, customs and culture.
Morocco currently boasts 700,000 Jews of Moroccan origin in Israel, and 30,000 still living in Morocco.
This has created strong ties between Israel and Morocco, helping Morocco attain a unique place in Arab-Israeli relations as Israeli leaders have always been welcomed on official visits.
It is of little surprise then that so many Jewish tourists want to relive their history with Morocco Jewish heritage tours.
With Morocco Pleasure Travel you will be embarking on an eleven-day journey that will take you from large urban centres such as Casablanca and Fez, to the quieter and holier locations like Moulay Idriss.
Welcome, Mrehba!
Upon arrival in Casablanca’s airport, you will find your driver waiting for you.
We will begin with a panoramic tour of Casablanca and its diverse neighbourhoods.
Then, we will visit the Habbous quarter, the United Nations square and the Hassan II mosque, one of the biggest mosques in the world.
After that, we will visit the Mellah (Jewish quarter) with its temples and synagogues such as Beth-El, Em Habanim and Neve Shalom.
We will head to Rabat and Sale; start off with a visit to Chellah and Kasbah of Oudayas.
Then, visit the Mellah, where many Jewish families call it home with its narrow streets and lively colourful courtyards.
After that, we set off to Sale, the twin city of Rabat and where Rabbi Hayyim Ben Moses Attar, the famous 18th century scholar and Cabbalist was born, he is known throughout the Jewish world for his bible commentary the “hahayyim.” Return to Rabat for an overnight.
After breakfast, we will drive to Meknes, a Moroccan medieval city known as “The Moroccan Versailles”; it was founded by Moulay Ismail during the 17th century and it is a city where the Jewish presence is evidenced by Hebraic epitaph dating from Christian era as well as Greek inscriptions that still appear in local synagogues, and a place of pilgrimage where the tomb of Rabbi David Benimdan, “the patron of Meknes” is located.
Meknes’ old Mellah (the jewish quarter) is known for its historic Jewish street names and the new Mellah is a home to eleven Synagogues, which are eight of it still in use.
You will explore Meknes’ landscapes as Bab El Mansour, El Hedim square and mausoleum of Moulay Ismail.
Then, we will continue to Fez via Volubilis, ancient roman city.
Arrive to Fez in the evening for an overnight.
Fez is among the best known cities in medieval Jewish history, it was home to one of the most influential Talmudic scholars, Rabbi Isaac Alfasi, as well as Maimonides in the years 1160 to 1165.
We will visit the Mellah with all its synagogues and an optional visit to the cemetery of Sefrou where Rabbi Lahou Harroch and Rabbi Raphael Moshe Elbaz are buried.
Return to Fez for an overnight.
A citadel of magnificence, this age-old city is irresistible as it unfolds– in every narrow alley, wide street, old or new medina, palatial houses or hillsides– the story of a whole civilization’s treasure, similar to Florence or Athens.
From being Morocco’s first capital in 808 AD to becoming the Imperial of all Imperial cities, Fez is a spiritual and cultural center with many facets.
Your two-day stay in this unmatched splendor will take you back in time while visiting the oldest university in the world (before even Oxford or the Sorbonne).
After breakfast, we set off to Erfoud via Azrou and Ifrane. Ifrane was the capital of Jewish Kingdom in the distant past.
We will not miss the village’s only synagogue and the cemetery that has been a pilgrimage for Moroccan Jews for centuries. After that, we will continue to Midelt and then Erfoud.
We will drive by 4X4 to Merzouga for a sunset and bivouac over the dunes.
Berber people will will welcome you to have a berber dinner and spend an night in a nomad tent.
After a breathtaking view of the sunrise, we will return to Erfoud for a guided tour to the Todra Gorges.
Continue to Tineghir in order to visit its colourful ancient Jewish quarter..
Then, visiting The fortresds of Tiliit was the center of Jewish region ruled by the Spanish – Jewish family of Perez from the end of the 15th century until the reign of Moulay Ismael in 1672.
Afterwards, we will continue to Ouarzazate for an overnight.
After breakfast, we will explore Taourirt and Tifoultout Kasbahs, ancient residence of Glaoui.
Then, head to Marrakesh via Tiz-in-Tichka pass and Taddert. In the afternoon, we will have a sightseeing tour of Marrakesh where the Jewish community increased in 1630.
The tour will include the Saadian tombs, a dynasty that made Marrakesh their capital and converted the El Badii Palace as a Mellah. It became a home of a thriving community of native Spanish Jews, famed for its rabbinical schools and scholars.
We will visit the Rabbi Hanania Hacohen Cemetery, the burial place of Rabbi Mordekhaj Ben Attar. Rabbi Pinhas Hacohen Azough known as the “patron of Marrakech.” Return to the hotel and overnight.
A day devoted to explore the second oldest medieval city.
You will visit the Koutoubia Mosque, Badii and Bahia Palace, The Menara Garden.
In the afternoon, you can stroll through the tiny streets and alleyways of the old medina.Then, you can go to Jemaa el Fna square which considered as the most popular place in Marrakesh.
Or, you can have an excursion to Ourika Valley to visit the famous tomb of Rabbi Salomen Ben Elhens.
After breakfast, you will have a free day to enjoy shopping at the souks or walking around. The driver will be available the whole day.
We will head to Casablanca after breakfast. Then, continue visiting this economic metropolitan city in the afternoon.
We will pick you up to Mohamed V Airport after breakfast. Have a safe trip!!
We say our Goodbyes, Bislema!