Moroccan Odyssey
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JEWISH FEDERATION OF NORTHERN NEW JERSEY MAJOR GIFTS MISSION TO MOROCCO October 18-27, 2015 Itinerary See the land of contrasts....where Jews and Arabs have lived in peace for centuries; a place where shadows merge with sunlight, oases spring from the desert and ancient Arab traditions meet French savoir faire. Experience first-hand the incredible work of the JDC, the magnificent scenery, the exotic architectural treasures, the gastronomic delights of Moroccan cuisine, and the warmth and hospitality of the Jewish community. Explore the unbroken Jewish presence in Morocco, as we trace its rich Jewish history back 2500 years... and although only 4,000 Jews remain in Morocco today, it is still the largest, best organized, and certainly the most viable Jewish community in any Arab country. 1 SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18 Departure from the USA OVERNIGHT: ENROUTE MONDAY, OCTOBER 19 Arrive in Casablanca, the financial, industrial, commercial and manufacturing capital of the country. 3:00PM We will all meet in the lobby and depart for a panoramic overview of the city including the famed Corniche and the elegant residential suburb of Anfa. Walk through the street of the synagogues and visit the Beth El Synagogue where we will have a briefing on the “Jews of Morocco - Past, Present and Future”. 7:00PM Kosher Dinner at the Jewish Social Club with invited members of the community OVERNIGHT: HYATT HOTEL, CASABLANCA TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20 Breakfast and hotel check out 8:30AM We depart the hotel and visit the magnificent Hassan II Mosque. Situated on the edge of the Atlantic, it is truly a modern challenge to man's imagination. The Mosque was commissioned by Hassan II and built between1986- 1993. It is the largest mosque in Africa, enabling 105,000 worshippers to gather together and the cost was 585 million euros. Visit the Neve Shalom, Jewish Day School and meet Rabbi Seebag, the teachers and students. Continue to the Jewish Museum, the only one in an Arab country. Kosher Lunch at the nearby SOC, the Jewish Sports Club with invited guests and learn about “Jews & Moslems Living Together” In the afternoon, see first hand the incredible work of the JDC, as we visit the Levine Residence which offers high quality assistance to the Jewish community’s elderly. 4:30PM Depart for Rabat, known as the "White City" and capital of the Kingdom. Hotel check in 2 7:30PM Kosher Dinner at the home of David Toledano, President of the Rabat Jewish Community. (TBC) Guest Speaker American Ambassador Dwight Bush Sr. (TBC) OVERNIGHT: SOFITEL HOTEL, RABAT WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21 Breakfast and hotel check out 8:30AM Begin the day at the Royal Palace the official residence of King Mohammed VI. The Palace was built in 1864 and it is the official home of the king and the royal family. The palace complex also hosts the Moroccan Royal Guard. The Collège Royal, a school for senior members of the royal family, a cookery school and a ground floor library built to contain the manuscript collections. The extensive gardens and grounds surrounding the palace were designed with French formality, traditional Arabic motifs and local horticulture in mind. View the Hassan Tower. And the Tomb of Mohammed V The tower is part of an incomplete mosque whose construction began in 1195 and was intended to be the largest tower in the world along with the mosque. When the Sultan died 1199, the construction on the mosque stopped. Today, we have the remnants of the unfinished mosque and the Tomb of Mohammed V, who saved the Jews from deportation during WWII. Wreath Laying – Yizhkor Service at the Mausoleum Political Meeting (TBC) Kosher Lunch at the Synagogue Stroll through the picturesque Oudaias Kasbah which was reconstructed by the Almoravids in 1150. Continue to Meknes, the "Versailles” of Morocco View the monumental city gates , the Royal Stables and the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, who made Meknes his capital during his reign from 1672-1727.Explore the ancient Jewish Quarter and the 600 year old Jewish cemetery containing the pilgrimage shrine of the tomb of Rabbi David Bousidan, the “Patron of Meknes”. On to the imperial city of Fez, the "jewel" of Morocco and the spiritual, intellectual and cultural capital of Morocco Kosher dinner at the Fez Jewish Community Center 3 8:15PM Hotel check in OVERNIGHT: RIAD FEZ, FEZ THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22 Breakfast An exciting day unfolds as you visit the Fez Mellah and Medina. The first official mellah was established in the city of Fes in 1438 when the Jews were driven from the old part of Fes to Hims, which had been built on a site known as al-Mallah, "the saline area". Ultimately, the term came to designate the “Jewish Quarter”, which was usually situated near the royal palace or the governor’s residence and surrounded by a wall with a fortified gateway. As the Jews became affluent, they left the mellah and moved to new neighborhoods. Visit the Ibn Danan Synagogue, which dates back to the 17th century and built by Mimoun Ben Sidan, a wealthy merchant from the town of Ait Ishaq. Continue to the Jewish Cemetery, with its tombs of famous sages, including Rabbi Vidal Hasserfaty, who died in 1600 and the martyr Solica, a 14-year-old girl who refused to convert to Islam or accept the advances of the governor of Tangier Stop at the Em Habanim Synagogue, which today displays some poignant photos and postcards, left behind after the Jewish exodus. Enter the Medina Founded in the 9th century, the Medina of Fez reached its height in the 13th and 14th century. It is home to many madrasas, fondouks, palaces, residences, mosques and fountains. Although the political capital of Morocco was transferred to Rabat in 1912, Fez has retained its status as the country's cultural and spiritual center. As you walk through the medina, you will experience a kaleidoscope of craftsmen - the henna souk, dyers market, tanners quarter, weavers, silversmiths and carpenters, Stop at the renowned Karaouiyne University, the ancient mosques and crumbling fondouks. Kosher Box Lunch enroute Conclude the day at the Rambam’s house. View the house where the 12th century Jewish scholar Maimonides lived when he came to Fez from Cordoba. Evening Free OVERNIGHT: RIAD FEZ, FEZ 4 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23 Breakfast and hotel check out 7:15AM Depart for the Fez Airport 8:30AM Charter flight from Fez to Marrakesh 9:50AM Arrive in Marrakesh, the "Empress of the Sahara" - a city that beats with a pulse of its own and has been home to the Jewish community since the first century. We begin our day in exotic Marrakesh with a city overview enroute from the airport, including the Koutoubia Minaret, the Saadlen Tombs and the Menara Gardens. Arrive at the Bahia Palace and Gardens The Bahia Palace was built in the late 19th century and intended to be the greatest palace of its time. The name means "brilliance" and intended to capture the essence of the Islamic and Moroccan style. Walk through the beautiful gardens, view the unique architecture and charming harem quarters. Kosher box lunch enroute Explore the Marrakesh Mellah Jews have lived in the mellah for centuries as they could not own property outside the area. The Jewish community consisted of a large portion of the city's bankers, jewelers, metalworkers, and tailors, and sugar traders. Thus, they were forced to expand within the quarter which explains the narrow streets, small narrow streets, small shops, and higher placement of houses. Visit the Alzama Synagogue which once contained a community center, Talmud Torah school, and soup kitchen. Adjacent to the Mellah is the Jewish cemetery, the largest Jewish cemetery in Morocco, characterized by white-washed tombs and sandy graves. 4:00PM Hotel check in Shabbat Services at the Bet El Synagogue followed by a Kosher Shabbat Dinner at the home of the Ohayon’s (TBC) OVERNIGHT: NOUARA BARRIERE HOTEL, MARRAKESH SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24 Breakfast and day at leisure Optional Shabbat Services followed by Kosher Lunch at the Ohayons (TBC) 5 Walking tour to the Geluiz District Evening Free OVERNIGHT: NOUARA BARRIERE HOTEL, MARRAKESH SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25 Breakfast 8:00AM Depart Marrakech, crossing the Ourika Valley and drive through the spectacular High Atlas Mountains. Stop at an authentic Berber Village for home hospitality and gain insights on how the Jewish Berbers lived. Pay your respects at the revered tomb of a Berber Tsaddik Rabbi ben Elhans. Return to Marrakesh and explore the Majorelle Gardens. This famous garden was created by the orientalist painter Jacques Majorelle. The garden hosts more than 15 bird species endemic to North Africa and has an amazing collection of cacti. Since 1980, the garden has been owned by Yves Saint-Laurent. Board your buggies for a scenic drive through the city, enjoying a kosher picnic lunch. In the afternoon, enter the Medina with its host of aromas, colors and native handicrafts. Stroll through the many narrow and maze-like streets and try out your bargaining skills. Conclude the day at the Djemaa-El-Fna Square- a true open air theater –view the magicians, fortunetellers, snake charmers and jugglers. Free Evening OVERNIGHT: NOUARA BARRIERE HOTEL, MARRAKESH MONDAY, OCTOBER 26 Breakfast 8:00AM Depart Marrakesh for Essaouira, an Atlantic coastal Portuguese village, formerly known as Mogador and site of Orson Wells’ Othello. Jews once formed the majority of the population and transformed Essaouira into what became Morocco's most prosperous city in the 17th and 18th centuries. The Jewish population in Essaouira grew from 4,000 to 12,000 and declined to about 6500 in 1936 due to the decline of commerce and other economic activity.