Jewish Heritage Highlights Discovery Tours 10 Days

• Best Jewish heritage Tours & Itineraries
• Morocco Private Tours

Jewish Heritage Highlights Discovery Tours 10 Days

Morocco is a land of contrasts – where Africa meets Europe and the Middle East adds its own flavor. Considered a moderate Islamic state, Morocco opens its doors to everyone regardless of ethnicity, religion or political status. From ancient philosophers and scholars to Bob Marley and Jimmy Hendrix, Morocco has hosted many! If you´re looking for a colorful and diverse experience, this is the place. From the wild markets of Marrakech to the snowy peaks of the Atlas, the silence of the Sahara and pristine beaches of the Atlantic, Morocco is simply amazing. Our journey combines the best of everything – Jewish heritage discovery, villages, mountain, desert, music, food, shops and the coast, plus opportunities to do community services and some fun adventure activities along the way! Expect plenty of interaction with the friendly Berber tribes’ people of North Africa. Learn their unique drumming, practice the language and taste the delicious food. We´ll fill your week with a lifetime of memories and educational experiences that are second to none.

BEST JEWISH TOUR DETAILED ITINERARY

Welcome to Morocco!

DAY 1: EXPLORE CASABLANCA (30 KM)

Welcome to Morocco! On arrival at Casablanca Airport, you will be met by Morocco Tour Guide and transferred to your hotel. While this is an arrival day and you may arrive at any time, please note that hotel rooms are generally only available after midday, and that there will a Welcome Meeting with your leader tonight. Transfer to a Hotel to spend the night.

Visit the Museum of Moroccan Judaism in Casablanca, a museum of history and ethnography created by the Jewish Community of Casablanca in 1997 with the support of the Foundation of Jewish-Moroccan Cultural Heritage. The Jewish Museum is the first to be created in an Arab country. The Museum holds the treasures of the Arab regionʼs only Jewish Museum. Using world-class standards of conservation for the collections, the Museum of Moroccan Judaism presents religious, ethnographic, and artistic objects that demonstrate the history, religion, traditions, and daily life of Jews in the context of Moroccan civilization.
The Jewish Museum in Casablanca exhibits paintings, photography, and sculpture by Jewish-Moroccan artists. There are permanent exhibitions on Jewish religious and family life. Jewish-Moroccan artifacts like oil lamps, Torahs, Hanukkah lamps, clothing, Jewish marriage contracts (ketubot), and Torah covers are also on display, as well as rooms depicting a complete Moroccan Jewish Synagogue. For research purposes the Museum houses a document research library, a video library, and a photo library.
The Museum offers guided visits, seminars, and conferences on Jewish- Moroccan history and culture. On special request, it organizes group visits in Arabic, French, English, or Spanish.Visit Casablanca’s Jewish Cemetery. The Jewish Cemetery in the mellah is open and quiet, with well-kept white stone markers in French, Hebrew, and Spanish. Once a year, Casablancans celebrate a hiloula, or prayer festival, at the tomb of the Jewish saint, Eliahou.
Visit the old Jewish Mellah of Casablanca. While Jews no longer live in the mellah, kosher butchers can still be found in the old market.

Casablanca Jewish Community & Overview:
Casablanca harbors the largest Jewish community in Morocco and has numerous congregations, active communal institutions, and many highly recommended kosher restaurants. The 4,500 Casablancan Jews in Casablanca live outside the mellah in the European city, where they worship in over 30 synagogues, eat in kosher restaurants, entertain themselves in community centers, attend Jewish schools, and use social service centers.
They worship at Temple Beth El, the largest synagogue and an important community center, seating 500 persons. The Jewish community of Casablanca also contributed to the construction of the Hassan II Mosque, the second largest in the world. Some Jews annually visit the Muslim shrine of Sidi Belyout, Casablanca’s patron saint. Many Jews of Casablanca celebrate the hiloula of the saint Yahia Lakhdar in Ben Ahmed, about an hour south of Casablanca near the town of Settat.
The synagogues, cemeteries, monuments, and communal institutions of Casablanca show how important the city has been to the Jewish community during the twentieth century.
Visit the Mosque of Hassan II’s promontory offers lovely views overlooking Casa in the residential Afna quarter. After touring the Mosque, head over to the New Town of Casablanca also designed by the French architect Henri Prost.
Visit Temple Beth-El, the Jewish Synagogue in Casablanca.
Beth-El, is considered the centerpiece of a once vibrant Jewish community. Its stained glass windows and other artistic elements attract many tourists.
Take the road to Rabat.
Dinner at your hotel.
Accommodation: (1 night) Deluxe Hotel
Activities :
Casablanca Hassan 2 Mosque
Jewish Heritage Tour
Meals Included: Welcome Dinner

DAY 2: RABAT – CHEFCHAOUEN (250 KM )

This morning after breakfast, meet your guide at 8am, We will make our way to Rabat, the capital of Morocco, enjoy the charming garden of Challa, surrounded by walls and beautiful defensive gates, built between 1310 and 1330. and we will visit the tombs of Moroccan kings Mohammed V, who died in 1962, Hassan II who died in 1999, the tomb of Moulay Abdullah the uncle of Mohammed VI and Hassan Tower which was built in 12th century.
Oudaya Kasbah which was built in 12th century and served as a military base for the Almorabits army in their defense against the Spanish army. The roof of the Kasbah allows a stunning view of the surrounding area. You will also get to see the 240 km long Abi-Regrag river , located in western Morocco between Rabat and Sala. We will then drive to Chafchaouen through the cities of Knitra and El Ghareb, a very agricultural and farming zone, stopping in Ouazzane, passing by spectacular scenery with olives, oak and almond trees. we will arrive to Chefchaouen in the afternoon.

Chaouen is Set against a wide valley and nestled between two peaks in the stunning Rif Mountains, the isolated town of Chefchaouen is a surprising delight. Much of Chefchaouen was recreated by Andalusian Jews and Muslims refugees escaping the Reconquistia, so its striking blue and whitewashed houses, red-tiled roofs and artistic doorways give it the feel of the Spanish hills. After you will start exploring Chefchaouen “The blue city of Morocco”. Situated at the footstep of 2 higher mountains, Chefchaouen is a beautiful unique city with its white washed walls and blue doors, and windows. Unlike many parts of Morocco, Chefchaouen was occupied by Spain; therefore there is much influence of the Spanish civilisation and the Moorish architecture. On the afternoon, you will have your own time to wonder around and enjoy your space.

DAY 3: CHEFCHAOUEN – VOLUBILIS – MEKNES – FES ( 220 KM )

Descend from the hills and travel south through the centre of the peninsula towards the sacred pilgrimage town of Moulay Idriss (approximately 3 hours). From here it’s a short journey out to the World Heritage site of Volubilis. The remains of this Roman city make an undeniably impressive sight as they come into view on the edge of a long, high plateau. Take a tour around the arches, basilicas, and superb mosaics along the Decumanus Maximus, many of which remain intact.

Drive to Meknes is an Imperial City that is known for its Hebraic epitaph which dates from the Christian era and there are Greek inscriptions that still appear in local synagogues. Meknes is also a place of pilgrimage where the tomb of Rabbi David Benimdan “the patron of Meknes” is located. The Mellah where streets are known by its historic names is not to be missed along with the new Jewish “ghetto” which harbors eleven synagogues of which eight are still in use.
Begin the visit with a panoramic view of Meknes which offers a splendid look at the old Islamic Medina with its numerous soaring minarets.
Visit the old Jewish quarter on arrival in Meknes. With its narrow lanes and colorful courtyards, the old mellah, or Jewish quarter, was once located on a slanted gorge. In the 1920s, the Jewish community acquired the land next to the old Mellah and constructed a new, larger quarter. The first houses in the new mellah were built in 1924 and the Rabbi Yeoushoua Synagogue was inaugurated in 1926. The Talmud Torah Synagogue, which will be the focus of the Meknes visit, was built in 1930. Visit the aging Talmud Torah in the Jewish Quarter.
Lunch in Meknes.
Visit the Synagogue in Meknes. (Must be arranged in advance).
Visit the Royal Stables & Agdal Reservoir. The Royal Stables and Agdal Reservoir were built by Moulay Ismail, along with immense granaries. The Royal Stables is an amazing sight. This massive stable yard and reservoir were constructed to comfortably house and water up to twelve thousand royal horses.

Next, visit the Bou Inania Madrasa to explore the beautiful Koranic school established by the Merinids in the 14th century.
Opposite of the Medrasa, see the Grand Mosque.
Place El-Hedim is the central public square in Meknes that comes alive in the afternoon. Be sure to visit the Bab el Mansour Gate which is regarded as one of the most beautiful gates in Morocco and the most important gateway in Meknes. It opens into the mechouar of the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail. The gate was named after El Mansour, the architect, and was completed in 1732. El Mansour was a Christian rebel who converted to Islam.

Visit the Old Medina and Bab el-Khemis. Stroll through the ancient walls of the medina and the Islamic cemetery which extends from the Jewish quarter and the entrance to the Old Mellah. Enter through Bab el-Khemis. Bab el-Khemis is a large decorated gate from the 17th century often referred to as the Thursday Gate because of its proximity to a nearby camel market which was held on Thursdays. It was also the entrance to the old Mellah, or Jewish quarter, and gardens. A Jewish past still echos at every corner.

Meknes is the Versailles of Africa and is named after a Berber tribe which was known as Miknasa. Take the road to Fez, arrive in the late afternoon.

Accommodation : RIAD
Activities Options
Guided walking Tour Volubilis & Meknes
Meals Included : Breakfast

DAY 4: EXPLORE FES

Enjoy the guided city tour of Fes. Begin with the entrance to the largest royal palace in Morocco. Continue with a panoramic view of the ancient medina. Enjoy an authentic experience at the traditional ceramic crafts village of Fes after that. Your next stop is Fes El Bali, the ancient town or Medina, which is a medieval part of Fes that has not changed for centuries. Optional lunch at a local restaurant. Visit the famous Al-Karaouine mosque, built by Fatima Al Fihria in 857. Al-Karaouine mosque became home to the University of Al-Karaouine, which is the first university in the world and the world’s foremost center of learning at the beginning of the second millennium. The university was built by Fatima Al Fihria in 859, and, since then, it has become one of the leading spiritual and educational centers of the Muslim world. In the medina, visit also a Merdersa, which is a Coranic school. Complete the city tour of Fes with the leather Souq and the oldest Leather Tannery in the world. The tannery dates back at least nine centuries.
Fes is the spiritual and cultural heart of Morocco; vibrant, noisy, fascinating and overwhelming – a visual and pungent feast for the senses. It is made up of three distinct ‘cities’, or quarters, and you will stay in elegant, riad-style accommodation on the edge of the huge, well-preserved medieval old city – the mother of all medinas. Today head into the old city, known locally as Fes el Bali, arguably the world’s most fascinating and confounding old city. Medieval Fes was one of the world’s great centres of education and culture, both Islamic and Jewish. Its religious institutions and libraries are legendary, its mosques of great renown. Walk through the twisting streets and alleyways, passing donkeys piled high with goods, and explore the specialty sections that divide the souk. Filled with historic khans, medresses and dye-pits, stalls loaded with fruits, herbs and soups, and where the squawk of chickens, smell of spice and sound of hammering of copper fills the air, it’s not hard to imagine yourself back in the Middle Ages. Spend the day exploring the old city, visiting, Mederassa Bou Inania, the tanneries and the splendid Funduk Nejjarine, a beautifully restored 18th century inn. Car : 1 hours – Walk : 3 hours /
Accommodation : RIAD
Activities Options :
Guided walking Tour Fes
Fondouk Nejjarine
Mederassa Bou Inania
Al karawyin university
Potter & Ceramic Workshop
Meals included : Breakfast

DAY 5: FES – IFRAN – MIDDLE ATLAS – MARRAKECH

Breakfast in the hotel. Transfer to Marrakech, “Paris of the Sahara” and Winston Churchill once described it. The journey takes you through the Middle Atlas Mountains. Stop first in Ifrane, a charming town and ski resort. Ifrane is famous for its Alpine climate, European-style houses and its 1665 metres (5,460 ft) in elevation. Ifrane experiences snow during winter months and a cool climate during summer. Ifrane is also the place where the lowest temperature was ever recorded in Africa -24 °C in 1935. Expect to find animals like the threatened Barbary Macaque and local tree species such as the native Atlas cedar, Scrub oak and the introduced pine. Arrive at Beni Mellal where you will stop for an optional lunch. Beni Mellal is an agrecultral city near the middle Atlas, we then continue to Marrakech, an optional visit to Ouzoud waterfalls. arrive in the afternoon.

Accommodation: Deluxe Hotel
Activities Option :
Visit Ouzoud waterfalls
Meals Included: Breakfast,

DAY 6: MARRAKESH SIGHTSEEING TOUR

A Full guided tour will be scheduled to discover Marrakesh which is known as the “Red City”. Marrakesh is the most important former imperial city in Morocco’s history, it is situated near the foothills of the snow-capped Atlas Mountain. Like all the old cities, Marrakech comprises both an old fortified city The Medina and an very modern city called Gueliz built during the French occupation. Marrakesh has the largest traditional market (souk) in Morocco and also has one of the busiest squares in Africa and the world, Djemaa el Fna. The square is full of story-tellers, water sellers, dancers, snakes charmers and musicians. During the night the square turns into a huge open-air restaurant.
Breakfast in the hotel. Enjoy a guided city tour of Marrakech, Paris of the Sahara as Winston Churchill once described it. Stop first at the Koutoubia Mosque, which is an old monument built under the reign of the Almohad Caliph Yaqub al-Mansur (1184 to 1199). This monument inspired other buildings such as the Giralda in Seville in Spain and the Hassan Tower in Rabat. Stop next at the Bahia Palace. This Palace was built in the late 19th century and was intended to capture the essence of the Islamic and Moroccan style. Visit Madrasa Ben Youssef after that. This Coranic school is named after the Almoravid Sultan Ali Ibn Yusuf (reigned 1106–1142). Madrasa Ben Youssef is the largest in all of Morocco. Stop next at the Saadian tombs, which is a site that dates back to the time of the sultan Ahmad al-Mansur (1578-1603). The tombs were discovered in 1917 and were restored by the Beaux-arts service. Optional lunch at a local restaurant. Continue the tour with the world famous Jema El Fna Square where you will enjoy amazing performance of traditional activities by storytellers, snake charmers, peddlers of traditional medicines. Your last stop is the bustling souks in the old medina. Optional dinner.
Accommodation: Hotel
Activities options
Majorel Gardens
Bahia Palace
Souks
Jamaa lfna & Koutoubia
Coranic medrassa ben youssef
Monuments and Jewish Heritage Tour
Meals included : Breakfast

DAY 7: MARRAKECH – OURIKA VALLEY – ATLAS MOUNTAINS

Breakfast at your Riad or Hotel.
Take the road to the High Atlas Mountains.
Visit the Ourika Valley’s region of Berber villages and the Setti Fatma waterfalls.
Visit the Ourika Valley’s Berber Eco-museum. The museum offers visitors the collections of Berber artifacts, an exhibition of antique photos of the High Atlas, and other artifacts of the region.
Next visit the Tomb of Tzaddik Rabbi Shlomo ben Hans is located. This tomb is the one of the well known for pilgrimage (hilulah) once a year attended by Jews of Moroccan descent from all over the world. A visit to the Tomb and the region offers a fascinating look at historic Jewish life in Morocco. Hundreds of hilulot occur each year in Morocco attracting Jews from all over the world.
During your visit to the Ourika Valley you will witness magnificent landscapes and have the opportunity to have tea with a Berber family and experience up close meetings with local Berber people.
Activities options: Atlas Mountains
Meals Included : Breakfast

DAY 8: MARRAKECH – ESSAOUIRA

Breakfast at your riad or hotel in Marrakech.
Depart for Essaouira, a seaside fishing town known for its Portuguese and Jewish history along with charming blue, white, and yellow hand-painted houses, fresh seafood, and a vibrant artist community.
Explore Essaouira, the sea-side medieval town with lovely white-washed and blue-shuttered houses is enchanting. Learn about the local tradition of thuya wood workshops, roam the art galleries, and enjoy fresh seafood. Once called Mogador by European sailors and traders, Essaouira is known for its annual Gnaoua Music Festival that attracts 300,000+ people in June. It also has an expansive beach for surfing called Plage de Safi.
Many of Essaouira’s painted houses still have the Star of David above the doorways of Jewish homes. Each year religious Jews from around the world come to Essaouira for an annual pilgrimage to visit the grave of Rabbi Haim Pinto. The hiloula celebrating Rabbi Haim Pinto is held each September.
Visit the home of Rabbi Pinto, synagogues within the Mellah, and the Jewish cemeteries. The home of Rabbi Haim Pinto and the synagogue have been preserved as a historic and religious site. The building is an active synagogue, used when pilgrims or Jewish tour groups visit the city. The synagogue is on the second floor of a three-story building inside the walls of the old city that also contained Rabbi Pinto’s home. The synagogue consists of a single large room. There are two women’s sections, one across the courtyard and one on the third floor, both with windows looking into the synagogue.
During the ’60s and ’70s, Essaouira was a pit stop on the hippie trek from Marrakech.
Have lunch at the fish grill cafes with wooden tables and benches laid out overlooking the sea.
Take a stroll along the sunlit pedestrian main square, Place Prince Moulay el Hassan, and then on to Skala du Port, the fishing harbor, offers breathtaking views of the Portuguese ramparts. Explore the ramparts, the spice and jewelry souks of the medina, and the Jewish Mellah. The medina of Essaouira is a UNESCO World Heritage Site because it is a well-preserved example of a late- 18th century fortified town.
After lunch visit Orson Welles’ Square and memorial, designed by Samir Mustapha, one of the towns artists, which pays homage to the filming of Othello in Essouaria.
Essaouira’s history is a reminder of the times when Spain, Portugal, and England fought to maintain control over its coasts. It has a typical Portuguese harbor that is a stunning example of Moorish and Portuguese architecture. Return to Marrakech in the early evening
Dinner Recommendations:
Ville Nouvelle (New City) – An evening of French Cuisine – L’Annexe, Chez Mado or Studio
Spend the night in in Marrakech.
Activities options: Visit Essaouira
Meals Included : Breakfast

DAY 9: MARRAKECH – GRADEN – AFTERNOON AT LEISURE

Breakfast at Built in 1929, this famous historical landmark hotel and gardens in the center of Marrakech is cared for by 40 gardeners who twice a year plant 60,000 annuals. The gardeners provide immaculate care for the citrus and olive orchards, desert gardens, rose gardens, and tropical gardens, as well as the many fountains. The 200 year old avenue of olive trees leads one to the garden pavilion where you can soak in the peace and solitude with a cup of Moroccan mint tea. At the back of the 15 hectare gardens there is an herb and kitchen garden whose produce is used in the fresh daily menus at the hotel.
Visit Abderrazak Ben Chaabane’s Palmeraie Gardens & Museum. Abderrazak Ben Chaabane is a legend in Marrakech. Quiet and soft spoken, this renowned garden designer, ethnobotanist, perfumer, teacher, photographer, writer, garden restorer, and Publisher has created a landmark place for himself within the world of the “red hamra” city. Ben Chaabane is currently a Botany and Ecology professor at the University of Marrakech.
With its tiled steps and earthen piste walls, one can rest and contemplate in the serenity of this magical place. The cactus garden was planted 10 years ago with 40 kinds of cactus from Morocco, South Africa, USA, South America, and Mexico. All the locally grown cactus came from his mentor, a German agricultural engineer here in Morocco.
Within the converted stables and piste buildings on the property Ben Chaabane houses his private collection of unknown Moroccan artists from the 1970ʹ′s, a workshop area for children, a private collection of his own photographs and paintings, calligraphy, and sculptures along with the permanent collection of contemporary art from more than 50 Moroccan artists. One special photograph worth seeing is Le Maroc en Noir et Blanc taken in 1981 in Essaouira.
Dinner Recommendations:
Activities Options : Atlas Mountains
Meals Included : Breakfast, Final Dinner

DAY 10: MARRAKECH TO CASABLANCA AIRPORT TRANSFER ( 200 KM )

According to your flight details, we will assist and transfer your to the airport, and thank you for visiting Morocco and for choosing us as your trusted tour guide for your Morocco Holidays.
Activities : Airport Transfer
Meals Included : Breakfast

Optional Activities

Spa Hammam & Massage – MAD450

Hot air Ballon – MAD2500

Cooking class – MAD450

Visited Places

• Tangier Jewish heritage
• Chefchaouen
• Fes Medina & Jewish Mellah
• Volubilis
• Meknes Medina & old Mellah
• Middle Atlas
• Ourika Valley
• Marrakech Medina & Synagogue
• Essaouira
• High Atlas Mountains
• Berber villages

Travel Experience

• Jewish Culture, Heritage & History
• Berber Culture & Heritage
• Moroccan Culture, History & Heritage