Independent Jewish Synagogue in Asheville, NC

Weizman Family Trip to Morocco 2024

(By: Michael Weizman, CBI member)

During this past Winter Break, and coinciding with the holiday of Hanukkah, our family took a once-in-a-lifetime heritage trip to Morocco to learn more about the country where my father, Hanan Weizman (z’l) was born and grew up before moving to Israel as an adolescent. My mother Goldie along with her three children (Elanit, Michael and Sharone), their spouses (Jorge, Della and Dave) and Goldie’s grandchildren (Adina, Talia and Ethan) toured Casablanca (Hanan’s birth city), Rabat, Moulay Idris, Fes, Marrakech and Imlil, in the Atlas Mountains. Led by our fantastic guide Ismail, our family visited a variety of Jewish sites including synagogues (old and new), historic Jewish cemeteries and Jewish museums. We participated in
a Moroccan Jewish cooking class, learning to make a traditional couscous and fish tagine. We attended a synagogue Ma’ariv service in Marrakech on the 6th night of Hanukah, participating in the community candle lighting. We also attended a Chabad Shabbat service in Casablanca enjoying Shabbat dinner afterward with the Rabbi and his family at their home on our last night in Morocco. And of course we lit our menorot and sang songs each of the 8 nights of Hanukah
at the Riyads where we were staying.

What amazed us most during this trip, was that we never felt uncomfortable being Jewish in
this country that is 99% Muslim. We think this feeling of comfort was largely due to two factors.  First, Morocco seems to largely be functioning as a multi-cultural society particularly in the cities, embracing it’s Berber, Jewish and Arab roots. While 99% of Moroccans are Muslims, a large percentage would be classified as secular or cultural Muslims. While the call to prayer can be heard 5 times a day, many Moroccans are not praying in mosques during these times. Tourism has taken hold in Morocco, and an openness to non-Muslims prevails. Secondly, the
King of Morocco is dedicated to protecting the rights of minorities, and has a particularly strong relationship with the Jewish community there. Because of this, there are Moroccan security forces or police officers protecting all Jewish sites in the country. In fact, it was the King who opened the Jewish Museum in Casablanca in 1997, and the Jewish cemeteries are maintained by Muslim families who greeted our visits with “Bruchim HaBayim” – Hebrew for welcome. While the once large population of Jews in Morocco (300,000 before World War 2) is now down to about 2500 (the vast majority who left emigrated to Israel after 1948), there are still thriving Jewish communities in both Marrakech and Casablanca.

The Jewish history of Morocco is quite fascinating. Jews first arrived to this land after the Babylonian Exile circa 500 BCE. They mingled and integrated well with the native Berber people at the time. The next wave of Jewish immigrants came after the destruction of the 2 nd Temple circa 70 CE. Again, the Jewish immigrants integrated well with both the native people and the Jews who had come before them. Centuries later when both Jews and Muslims were banished from Catholic Spain and Portugal during the Inquisition, a great many of them fled across the
Straights of Gibraltar to Morocco. By that time of course the Arab Conquest of the kingdom had long been secured and Islam was the dominant religion of the land. Yet the Sultans and Kings of the time welcomed the Jews, appreciating their contributions in trade, craftsmanship, and many other areas of society. In fact, centuries ago the Kings and Sultans of Morocco wanted to protect the Jewish communities, which is why the historic Jewish neighborhoods called the ‘Melach’ – Hebrew for salt (since the Jews were the main salt merchants at the time) were typically located closest to the royal palaces.

It was during this last Jewish migration when Hanan’s ancestors came to Morocco from Spain. Their family name was “Wizmun”, which eventually became “Weizman” centuries later when our family emigrated to Israel. When visiting the Jewish cemeteries in Casablanca, Fes and Marrakech, we saw grave markers with both “Wizmun” as well as “Utmezgin” (the maiden name of my father’s mother) – indicating that these were the final resting sites of our distant relatives. Seeing these gravesites was very meaningful for our family. In the old cemetery in Marrakech, we visited the tomb of the great Tzadik, Rabbi Hanania Ha Cohen – who our father was named after. We lit candles in dad’s memory at that shrine.


Beyond the Jewish sites and experiences described above, our family also enjoyed many of the more typical adventures popular in Morocco. We toured the incredible Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca (the largest mosque in Africa and 3rd largest in the world). We wandered through the bustling souks located in the Medinas (old cities) of Casablanca, Fes and Marrakech, haggling for souvenirs along the way. We day-tripped to the capital Rabat and explored both the old Medina and new modern art museum there. We took in the botanical gardens and a ceramics factory in Marrakech and saw (and smelled) the famous tannery of Fes. We hiked in the Atlas Mountains with Goldie riding upon a mule to help her more easily keep up with us. Camels were ridden on this trip, exotic and delicious Moroccan food was eaten on the daily, and we met the friendliest people wherever we went. And of course, we drank gallons of Moroccan mint tea – morning, afternoon and night.

Spending two full weeks with one’s extended family in a foreign country can be a bit risky. Personalities can clash, flexibility is paramount, and compromises must be made. I am happy to report that not only did we not kill each other on this adventure, but our family actually grew closer. The spirit of Shalom Bayit prevailed during this great adventure. Hanan, our beloved husband, father and Saba was with us the entire time both in our hearts and our minds as we explored his country of birth. We imagined his smile, heard his laugh, and felt his warm embrace throughout this remarkable journey. May our memories of Hanan continue to burn brightly, just as the Hanukah candles did for us in Morocco – Inshalah (God Willing) as they say in Morocco.