Fez Selection : Jewish Stories of the Mellah

Morocco is home to one of the oldest Jewish communities in the diaspora. It dates back to 2000 years. Its singular Jewish culture is the result of a fusion of varied traditions including Berber, Herbatic, Andalusian, and Arab influences. Fez, the spiritual and cultural capital of Morocco par excellence, leaves its visitors with a unique experience.

Fez is the home of Al-Qarawiyeen University the oldest one in the world, where the famous Jewish philosopher Maimonides (Rambam) studied. It is also where the first Mellah, Jewish quartier in Morocco, was established in 1438.

This journey to Jewish Fez takes us into a history that shaped Sephardic Judaism, visiting its synagogues, cemetery museum, and taking a walk in its street that once witnessed the presence of the Jewish families and grand rabies, will remind us not only of how Moroccan life was/is like, but also of how was Jewish life in Spain before the expulsion of 1492, as Fez was destination of many of those Jews.  Today there is still a small, but vibrant, Jewish community in Fez with a functioning synagogue, kosher restaurant and a community center.