History of the Jewish People in Morocco

The Jewish community in Morocco is ancient and has developed a rich array of customs, beliefs, and pilgrimages to the mausoleums of revered sages. Currently, there are 13 notable sites, centuries-old and well-preserved by the Muslim community, which attract many Jewish visitors each year during special occasions.

Legend has it that Jews arrived in Morocco over 2,000 years ago, traveling alongside Phoenician merchants. By the time of the Roman Empire, Moroccan Jews began venturing inland with the Berbers, a nomadic people who inhabited the remote Atlas Mountains. The Jews coexisted with the Berbers, adopting aspects of their culture and economic practices. In some cases, Berbers even embraced Judaism, while Jewish rituals evolved, incorporating elements of faith in saints and spirits.

The Jewish population in Morocco surged during the 15th and 16th centuries, particularly as Spanish Jews were expelled from Portugal and Spain. Although the Spanish Jewish community differed from the local Moroccan Jews, they cohabited harmoniously, sharing limited resources and customs.

After Morocco gained independence in 1956, several Jewish communities had already been established throughout the country. Many Jews migrated westward along the Mediterranean coast from the large Jewish center in Carthage, and some settled in Volubilis, an ancient archaeological site near Meknes. Others moved to the foothills of the mountains and the deserts of Algeria and Morocco.

Today, the Jewish population in Morocco has significantly dwindled. While many Jews have settled in Israel, comprising mainly the working class, the elite and middle-class Jews have relocated to Canada and France. Once numbering in the hundreds of thousands until the 20th century, the Jewish community in Morocco now counts only about 7,000 members, with the majority residing in Casablanca and Rabat.

If you would like to learn more about the history of Jews in Morocco, please visit our website.