Synagogues

The presence of Jewish people in Morocco goes back to about the 5th century, during Roman times. Jews spoke Berber languages, Arabic, or Ladino (Spanish in Hebrew script). They adopted French when the French arrived and continued to use that as their main language of communication to today. By World War II there were 250,000 Jews in Morocco, now there are about 2000, mostly in Casablanca.

If you are taking a course from me, you have learned quite a bit about the temples ancient civilizations and churches but very little about Jewish architecture. In Morocco there are almost no churches. The only Christians came with the European conquerors and left with them. The synagogues of Morocco have remained even though the Jewish communities are mostly gone.

Apparently there are some 30 synagogues in Casablanca but the only one that is visitable is Beth El. It was completely refurbished in 1997.

The main entrance to the synagogue. There is a tall wall around the synagogue and as with other Jewish sites around the world is guarded at all times even when there is no event there.

The synagogue seats 500 and is the main functioning synagogue and doubles as a community center for the Jews of Casablanca who also have kosher restaurants, Jewish schools, and cemeteries. This synagogue is arranged according to the Sephardi (Spanish) tradition with the ark in the front containing the torah scrolls, and the main lectern from where the leaders conduct the service in the center with the congregants arranged around it. Men and women pray separately, the women's section is above.

Stained glass windows have a contemporary feeling, the theme being the twelve tribes of Israel.

Moshe Nahon Synagogue, Tangiers is located on a dead end street in the Jewish section. It was constructed in the 19th century and is named for an important Jewish scholar and education from an important Tangerine (yes that's what people from Tangiers are called) family. It ceased use when the Jewish community emigrated in the mid 20th century and was restored in 1997. It now functions as a museum though the caretaker and guard told us that services are held here for a small congregation every week.

The hanging lamps give light but are also memorial lights for congregants who have passed away. It is a common element in synagogues in this part of the world. The wooden benches in the mens section still bear the names of congregants to whom those seats belong.

The synagogue is elaborately decorated in the Andalusian style and the hanging lamps give light but are also memorial lights for congregants who have passed away. It is a common element in synagogues in this part of the world. Floral and geometric patterns, Hebrew and Arabic calligraphy are carved into both plaster and wooden walls and ceiling.

The Ibn Danan synagogue in Fes dates to the 17th century. Not as elaborate as others, it's one of a few located within the walls of Fes. This photo is taken from the women balcony and you can see simple plaster walls with a wooden painted ceiling though unadorned. Earlier photos from the 1950s show many memorial lamps, all gone now. The hole in the floor you see bottom right shows down to the mikveh (ritual bath).

Here as in the Nahon synagogue in Tangiers the prayer lectern is on the side rather than in the center. The ark containing the torah scrolls is bordered with similar carved plaster like the Nahon synagogue as well. The embroidered cloth explains this synagogue is in honor of the Danan family.