Les Juifs de Rabat

Rabat, the administrative capital of Morocco, was home to a Jewish community combining Toshavim (indigenous residents) and Megorashim (descendants of those expelled from Spain), who lastingly shaped the religious and cultural life of the city and its neighbor Salé. As merchants, artisans, and scholars, some Jews served as commercial and diplomatic intermediaries for the Makhzen and foreign traders. The community had synagogues, yeshivot, and charitable institutions, and the mellah of Rabat formed the heart of Jewish life. Under the Protectorate, many settled in the new city and gained access to modern schooling, notably through the schools of the Alliance israélite universelle. After independence in 1956, the community emptied in waves toward Casablanca, France, and Israel.

Sources & resources

• Encyclopedia of Jews in the Islamic World — Brill
• Jewish Virtual Library ↗