14 Days Morocco Jewish Legacy Cultural Tour from Casablanca

Overview

We have no Jews in Morocco, only Moroccans.” These words, immortalized by King Mohammed V, reflect Morocco’s deep-rooted commitment to religious tolerance and coexistence. For over 2000 years, Morocco has been home to one of the largest Jewish communities in the Muslim world, where Jews and Muslims have lived harmoniously, sharing neighborhoods, markets, and places of worship side by side. This tour offers more than just a journey through Morocco’s breathtaking landscapes of mountains, deserts, and coastal towns. It is a profound exploration of Morocco’s Jewish heritage—a chance to reconnect with roots in a land where religious diversity is not just respected but cherished.
From the bustling streets of Tangier, where the gateway between Europe and Africa beckons, to the serene blue-washed alleys of Chefchaouen nestled in the Rif Mountains, each stop on this itinerary unveils layers of Morocco’s cultural mosaic. In Fes, delve into the labyrinthine Medina, a UNESCO treasure trove of ancient universities, vibrant souks, and hidden courtyards. Then, venture into the Sahara Desert, where nights are spent under starlit skies in Bedouin-style tents, and days are filled with camel treks across golden dunes.
Along the journey, explore the historic Jewish quarters, synagogues, and cemeteries that bear witness to centuries of shared history and mutual respect. From Marrakech’s bustling Jemaa El-Fnaa square to the coastal charm of Essaouira, immerse yourself in the vibrant tapestry of Moroccan life, where every corner tells a story of resilience, acceptance, and cultural exchange.
This tour not only invites you to discover Morocco’s natural wonders but also to celebrate its enduring legacy as a beacon of religious tolerance and harmony—a land where diversity is embraced as a source of strength and pride. Join us on this unforgettable expedition to experience Morocco in all its richness and splendor, honoring its past while embracing its vibrant present.”Step into a realm of boundless wonder as we invite you to embark on a journey that transcends.

Highlights 

• Visit an architectural masterpiece overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, notable for its retractable roof and unique accessibility to Jews.
• Explore the only Jewish museum in the Islamic world, showcasing 2000 years of Jewish-Berber history, including art, clothing, and religious artifacts.
• Discover the vibrant culture of Essaouira, once a haven for hippies and renowned for its Gnawa music scene, fortified walls, and annual Jewish pilgrimage to Rabbi Chaim Pinto’s grave.
• Dive into the bustling Jamaa El Fna square, Lazama synagogue, and the serene Majorelle Garden, revealing Morocco’s rich Jewish heritage amid historic landmarks.
• Journey through Hollywood’s favorite backdrop, the UNESCO-listed Ait Benhaddou, and explore Ouarzazate’s film studios, bridging Morocco’s cinematic allure with ancient kasbahs.
• Experience camel rides at sunset in Merzouga’s towering dunes, followed by an overnight stay in Bedouin-style tents, immersing yourself in the magic of the desert.

Itinerary

Day 1 : Casablanca Airport Arrival

Welcome to your roots ! it depends upon your time of arrival, you will be driven to your hotel/Riad to loosen up and have rest. You might like to to figure out some of casablaca’s sights, the architectural masterpiece, Hassan II Mosque that completed in the 90s, overlooks the Atlantic Ocean and has a retractable roof to let in sunlight, and one of few mosque that Jews are accorded the rare opportunity to enter.

Day  2 : Casablanca City Tour

This is your first day of pilgrimage tour of Jewish legacy in Morocco, Casablanca is a good place to start for a grounding pilgrimage tour of Jewish legacy, your most vivid memory will be of your visit to Beth El and Eim Habanim synagogues which are not the only Synagogues in Casablanca, then you move to the only Jewish museum in Islamic world, the Moroccan Judaism Museum where you’ll discover the Jewish-Berber costumes and jewelry, and you’ll find among its walls 2000-year history reflected on art, ornate clothing, religious relics and artifacts, besides a photo and video library, and rooms with partial reproductions of synagogues. This place was once, before renewing, serving as a Jewish orphanage. Carrying on our legacy discovery to the last Moroccan Jewish day school, Neve Shalom and Casablanca’s Jewish Mellah and Jewish Cemetery.You can have lunch in one of many kosher restaurant and later on at the afternoon you might like to have a drink in Tahiti Beach club that once was a local Jewish hangout.

Day 3 : Casablanca – Azemmour – Essaouira

You’ll have much time to explore Jimi Hendrix’s town, Afternoon, when you’re in Essaouira you’re free to roam in the city that was once and still a haven for hippie backpackers and Gnawa musicians. You can start your visit by the ramparts a series of forts that were built in the 15th century around the Medina of Mogador. Inside the Medina you’ll have the chance visit the Mellah where two-thirds of the population settled in the 19 century. Each year in Sept more than 2000 Jews from all over the world meet at the grave of Rabbi Chaim Pinto who was, in the 16th century Jewish cemetery, well-known by his ability to perform miracles.

Day 4 : Essaouira – Marrakech

If you did not get to explore the sights of Essaouira the day before, you’ll be able to do it this morning before you leave east to Marrakech. it’s highly recommended to walk through the narrow alleyways of Essaouira where you will noticed the painted houses that still have the Star of David above the doorways of Jewish houses, besides, even in its boat-lined port, look up at the symbols carved out on the harbor’s gate. A Jewish star rests inside a scallop shell often associated with Christian pilgrims, next to Islam’s symbolic crescent moon. Although the number of permanent Jewish residents has dwindled, their marks don’t fade.

Day 5 : Marrakech Medina Tour

Day 12 : Chefchaouen – Rabat

From coastal towns to the south and getting to the north, you will spend this morning in Chefchaouen before leaving to Rabat. Chefchaouen or Chaouen or the blue city as it known internationally. It was a refuge for Muslim and Jews escaping from the Spanish Reconquista. The presence of Jews remains evident in vivid blue washed-walls of each house and corner of the city. The blue color that cover the walls is a Jewish tradition of weaving prayer shawls with tekhelel (an ancient natural blue dye) representing the sky, the sea and God’s inescapable presence. In addition to this a lot of people enjoy roam arbitrary in the city.

Day 13 : Rabat City Tour

Map

Unless a specific accommodation is requested, we reserve or recommend the best different authentic stays from the most quintessentially Moroccan accommodation available, reasonably priced, charming hotels/Riads in the Medina to the Kasbahs and Bedouin style tents in the Sahara desert with private bath, hot water, good service, value and sustainable management practices. Accommodation is based on two persons sharing a twin-bedded room. Desert Camp feature full size walk-in tents for two or more persons with Bedouin-style bedding or sleeping pads. On trekking and camping trips tents, sleeping pads or mattresses, wash basins, toilet facilities, cooking equipment, lanterns, pack animals and portering gear are provided. Participants must furnish their own clothing, soft-luggage and day pack. Sleeping bags are necessary for some trips, but are usually available for rent. MSITravels reserves the right to substitute equivalent or superior hotels/Riads.

Nutrition

Morocco Social Impact Travel exists to authentically connect you, not only to Morocco’s incredible destinations. We want you to touch and feel the good quality of our local families home-cooked meals and to taste the ras el hanout and the saffron and more other commonly used spices in our Delicious local & seasonal cuisine, such as seven vegetable Couscous, flavorful Tagines & creative soups & vegetables, plus Tanjia and Rfisa, mint tea and pistachios. Plus, enjoy a hands-on cooking class so you can impress friends & family back home. Gluten free or vegan? We’ve got you covered!

Give Back

While in Morocco we are pleased to support the wonderful work of Ennajah Association and Chabab Time, two nonprofit organizations. the first one based in Zagora and aims to create sustainable development in community through The Fight Against School Dropouts of girls by providing transportation and providing water for the population …
The second one is based in Rabat but works all over Morocco and aims to motivate young people to actively participate in Public life. We may also pick a local Berber school to donate supplies & small toys, spreading joy in simple ways, and giving a bit back to the local people of the area.
Last but not least, we want you to have the opportunity to give back, to support vulnerable families in meaningful ways. To build authentic connections and know that your visit matters. That when you leave, you’ll take carpets and Argan oil and lanterns and photographs and memories, but you’ll also leave a mark that made a difference.

Transportation

We, in Morocco Social Impact Travel « MSITravels », care about our clients and their comfort. Thus, we offer different kind of transportation depending on the number of customers and the tour they’ve chosen. E.g. If the tour is off-road we will offer a 4 wheels drive car for each 4 customers maximum. Otherwise we have 7 seats Minivan, Minibus for 17 travelers and Coach for more than 17 travelers.