Day Excursion: Roaming the Streets of Jerusalem, Moroccan Style
Morocco, the marvelous North African kingdom. It is intertwined with the long historical chain from the days of the destruction of the First Temple to the immigration of Moroccan Jews and their settlement in the Land of Israel. The Land of Israel served as a fertile ground for the spiritual and religious figures who greatly assisted the small Jewish settlement in the land in an era that preceded the establishment of a modern Zionist movement by many years. Envoys were sent from the Land of Israel to collect donations, including righteous individuals like Rabbi Amram Ben Diwan and Rabbi Shlomo Baal Hanachash, and others remained and were buried in the Maghreb, Morocco. Jewish communities dreamed for many years of ascending to the land of their ancestors and reaching Jerusalem, but their dreams sometimes ended in development towns on the periphery, under challenging conditions of absorption at the crossings and coping with a system that sometimes alienated and ignored the traditional culture accumulated over the years.
We invite you to join a day trip in Morocco in Jerusalem: following the tradition, culture, and stories of the absorption of North African Jews in the Land of Israel.
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This is a mere example of a highly successful trip organized by Aujo Travel which may serve as a basis for a tailor made itinerary for either independent or organized tour groups.
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Our Suggested Itinerary - Explore a past Aujo Travel trip for your next adventure
Our tour will begin with the exciting stories of the immigration of Moroccan Jews to Israel: stories that have been heard less and less over the years, and we have chosen to shed light on them during our tour day. Our first stop on the tour will be at the memorial and graves of the immigrants from the Walnut Ship: one of the saddest stories related to the immigration of Moroccan Jews to Israel at the end of the 1950s. In the disaster that occurred on January 10, 1961, 44 people drowned, and their remains were buried in 1992. We will hear their moving story and theories related to this traumatic event. We will also try to learn about the immigration story of North African Jewry at the edge of the fork, at a lesser-known and fascinating commemorative site.
Tour at the Center for North African Jewry in Jerusalem
The Center for North African Jewish Heritage is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful buildings in Jerusalem. It stands proudly facing the walls of Jerusalem, as a living symbol of the aspirations and struggles of generations of North African Jews. During the tour of the center, we will learn about the original and ancient character of the building, get to know the work of artists specially brought from Morocco to design the building according to the guidance of architect Eli Muoyal from Marrakesh. We will stroll through the impressive exhibition halls and gain a deep understanding of the lives of the Jewish communities of North Africa. For dessert, we will visit the unique Andalusian courtyard designed in a unique Moroccan style, a Moroccan gem in the heart of Jerusalem.
Tastes and scents of the Mahane Yehuda Market
There is no more folkloric and charming place in Jerusalem than the Mahane Yehuda Market: the smells, the colors, and the diversity. In the bustling market of Mahane Yehuda, we experience the charm of Israeli culture in all its glory. The tour of the market is among the filled pots of various cuisines and diverse families, life side by side in the different colorful stalls of the city. During the tour, we will get a taste of the experience of Mahane Yehuda Market, wandering among some interesting stalls (due to Corona, it won't be a tasting tour but a tour with masks) interesting people, and fascinating phenomena that can only be found in the market. During the time at the market, there will be some free time for shopping and independent eating at one of the market's restaurants.
Tour in the Footsteps of the Black Panthers in the Musrara Neighborhood
One cannot tell the story of the North African immigration without mentioning the phenomenon of the Jerusalem Black Panthers, a protest that emerged from the neighborhoods of Jerusalem and primarily from the mythical Musrara neighborhood: Many changes have occurred in Musrara. From a glamorous neighborhood for the city's elite, it turned into a border neighborhood that suffered severe blows during the War of Independence, and then became associated with the large social protest of the 1970s. In recent years, Musrara has become a corner of charm, which we will get to know on our tour in the neighborhood and learn about the complex social story of the absorption of North African immigrants in Israel.
