Question 1

How old is the Jewish community in Morocco?

Accepted Answer

The Jewish presence in Morocco dates back over 2,000 years. Archaeological evidence at Volubilis (near Meknes) confirms Jewish community life under Roman rule in the 2nd century BCE, predating Islam in North Africa by approximately 800 years. The first mellah (Jewish quarter) was established in Fes in 1438.

Question 2

How many Jews live in Morocco today?

Accepted Answer

Approximately 2,500 Jews live in Morocco today, primarily in Casablanca. This is down from a peak of roughly 275,000 after World War II. The majority emigrated to Israel, France, and Canada between 1948 and the late 1960s. Casablanca remains the largest Jewish community in any Arab country.

Question 3

What is the oldest mellah in Morocco?

Accepted Answer

The oldest mellah in Morocco is in Fes, established in 1438 under the Marinid dynasty. The word 'mellah' itself may originate from this quarter. The Fes mellah is adjacent to the Royal Palace and contains the UNESCO-listed Ibn Danan Synagogue (17th century) and the Habarim Cemetery (22,000 tombs).

Question 4

Is there a Jewish museum in Morocco?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The Museum of Moroccan Judaism in Casablanca is the only Jewish museum in the Arab world. Built in 1997 by the Casablanca Jewish community, it houses Torah scrolls, wedding dresses, Hanukkah menorahs, and photographs documenting Jewish life in Morocco. A second museum — the Museum of Jewish Culture — was completed in the Fes mellah in 2023, with its opening date pending.

Question 5

What is a hiloula in Morocco?

Accepted Answer

A hiloula (Aramaic for 'celebration') is an annual Jewish pilgrimage to the tomb of a saint on the anniversary of their death. The largest in Morocco is at the Shrine of Rabbi Amram Ben Diwan in Ouezzane, where thousands gather every May from four continents. Other major hiloulot include Rabbi Haim Pinto in Essaouira (September, 1,500 pilgrims) and Moulay Ighi in the Atlas Mountains. Muslim caretakers guard many of these shrines year-round.

Question 6

Did Morocco protect its Jews during World War II?

Accepted Answer

When Vichy France demanded Morocco deport its Jewish population during World War II, Sultan Mohammed V refused. He is attributed with the statement: 'There are no Jews in Morocco. There are only Moroccan subjects.' While the historical record is debated by scholars, Morocco did not implement the full extent of Vichy anti-Jewish legislation, and no Moroccan Jews were deported to concentration camps.

Question 7

Can you visit synagogues in Morocco?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Several synagogues across Morocco are open to visitors. Notable ones include the Ibn Danan Synagogue in Fes (UNESCO-listed, daily except Saturday), the Lazama Synagogue in Marrakech (behind an unmarked door, ask the guardian), Temple Beth-El in Casablanca (still holds Shabbat services), and the Chaim Pinto Synagogue in Essaouira (active during the September hiloula). Modest dress is expected. Muslim guardians maintain most sites.

Question 8

Who was Maimonides and what is his connection to Morocco?

Accepted Answer

Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon (Maimonides, 1138–1204) is considered the most important Jewish philosopher of the medieval period. He fled Córdoba after the Almohad conquest and lived in Fes from approximately 1159 to 1165, where he wrote much of his Commentary on the Mishnah and the Epistle on Forced Conversion. His house near the Qarawiyyin in Fes is still identified by the local Jewish community, though it is not formally marked as a museum.