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Temple Beth Shalom Journey to Morocco

Oct 18, 2025 - Oct 28, 2025

Led by Rabbi Eleanor Steinman and Rabbi Denise Eger
Explore the rich heritage of Moroccan Jewry
Enjoy Morocco's colorful cities and beautiful countryside
Experience the contemporary Jewish community of Morocco
Saturday, October 18, 2025
DEPARTURE
  • Depart the United States for Casablanca, Morocco.
Overnight: In flight
Day 2
Sunday, October 19, 2025
ARRIVAL TO MOROCCO!
  • Arrive at Mohammed V Airport in Casablanca.
  • Drive into Casablanca and begin with a viewpoints tour of the city.
  • Visit the Beth El synagogue, often considered the centerpiece of a once-vibrant Jewish community, with its stained-glass windows and other artistic elements.
  • Guided visit through the recently-renovated Museum of Moroccan Judaism.
  • Check in to the hotel.
  • Free time for rest and relaxation.
  • Festive welcome dinner with leaders of the Casablanca Jewish Community.
Overnight: Kenzi Tower Hotel, Casablanca
Day 3
Monday, October 20, 2025
THE JEWISH STORY OF CASABLANCA
  • Breakfast at the hotel.
  • The Glory of Jewish Morocco, an introduction to Jewish Morocco, yesterday and today, with the country director of the Jewish Joint Distribution Committee.
  • Visit the Casablanca Mellah.
  • Lunch at the Casablanca Jewish Club.
  • Guided visit to the Hassan II Mosque, inaugurated in 1994 and one of the largest in the world outside of Mecca.
  • Enjoy a relaxing getaway and check out Ain Diab (also known as The Corniche), a stunning promenade along the Atlantic coast and near the city center.
  • Explore bustling markets filled with unique items like handmade crafts, beautiful fabrics, and aromatic spices.
  • Dinner on own.
Overnight: Kenzi Tower Hotel, Casablanca
Day 4
Tuesday, October 21, 2025
RABAT
  • Breakfast at the hotel and check-out.
  • Drive to Rabat.
  • Guided visit through Rabat, the capital of Morocco, and visit the Jewish Quarter, the Oudayas Gardens, the Mohammed V Mausoleum and Hassan Tower.
  • Lunch at a Rabat restaurant.
  • Possible meeting in the Royal Palace or at the United States Embassy.
  • Return to the hotel, free time.
  • Enjoy a sunset boat ride on the Bouregreg River, followed by dinner with a member of the Moroccan Jewish community leadership.
Overnight: Dawliz Resort, Rabat
Day 5
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
MEKNES-FES
  • Breakfast at the hotel and check-out.
  • Depart Rabat for Meknes to visit the Bab Monsour Gate and the Jewish Quarter.
  • Lunch en route on own.
  • Continue to Fes.
  • Arrive in Fes with a short viewpoints tour.
  • Check in to the hotel.
  • Free evening to explore Fes by night with dinner on own.
Overnight: Les Merinides, Fes
Day 6
Thursday, October 23, 2025
FES: A ONCE-CENTER OF MOROCCAN JEWRY
  • Breakfast at the hotel.
  • Begin the day at the Fes Jewish Cemetery and the graves of Rabbi Yehuda Ben Attar and Solika the Righteous.
  • Continue to the Fes Mellah, the once-Jewish Quarter, including the Ibn Danan 17th century synagogue and a view of the King’s Palace.
  • Guided visit through the Medina, including visits to Maimonides House, with special focus on Maimonides the physician.
  • Lunch on own in the Medina.
  • Embark on a guided visit through the Fes Medina and the largest Medieval Souq (market) in Africa, with its exotic architecture, carpet shops and artisans.
  • Visit the only active Fes synagogue, followed by dinner with members of the Jewish community.
Overnight: Les Merinides, Fes
Day 7
Friday, October 24, 2025
ROAD TO MARRAKECH
  • Breakfast at the hotel and check-out.
  • Depart for Marrakech via the Central Atlas Mountains.
  • Lunch on own en route in Beni Mellal followed by a visit to the small synagogue and the tomb of Rabbi David Ben Yamin, who is believed to be one of the Jewish saints in Morocco, venerated by Jews and Muslims.
  • Arrive in Marrakech.
  • Introduction to Marrakech at the Djemaa El-Fna Square with its street vendors and snake charmers.
  • Check in to the hotel.
  • Free afternoon for rest, relaxation and self-exploration.
  • Time for Shabbat preparation.
  • Kabbalat Shabbat at the Marrakech synagogue and festive Shabbat dinner.
Overnight: Kenzi Rose Garden, Marrakech
Day 8
Saturday, October 25, 2025
SHABBAT IN MARRAKECH
  • Breakfast at the hotel.
  • Morning at leisure, optional Shabbat Services.
  • Guided walk through Marrakech, including a return visit to the Djemaa El-Fna Square, the bustling central square in the medina, and the Saadian Tombs.
  • Visit the Medina (Old City) and Mellah (former Jewish Quarter). Visit the Lazama Synagogue, the remnants of Jewish communal buildings and the Bahaia Palace.
  • Visit the Koutoubia Mosque, Marrakech’s most famous landmark and continue to the Ali Ben Youssef Madrasa, an architectural treasure nestled in the heart of the ancient Medina of Marrakech, for a throwback to a fascinating era where art, knowledge, and culture flourished.
  • Lunch on own.
  • Return to hotel.
  • Havdallah, followed by a Fantasia show and dinner at the Chez Ali restaurant.
Overnight: Kenzi Rose Garden, Marrakech
Day 9
Sunday, October 26, 2025
MARRAKECH
  • Breakfast at the hotel.
  • Board 4×4 vehicles to depart the city.
  • Drive to Agafay Desert with magnificent views over the desert and the Atlas Mountains.
  • Continue to Lake Lalla Takerkoust, with a tea stop on the way with local residents.
  • Lunch on own at Relais du Lac.
  • Return to
  • Spend the afternoon bathing in an authentic Moroccan hammam (traditional bathhouse).
  • Free afternoon for rest and relaxation.
  • Dinner at a restaurant including a traditional Moroccan cultural event.
Overnight: Kenzi Rose Garden, Marrakech
Day 10
Monday, October 27, 2025
THE OURIKA VALLEY AND THE ATLAS MOUNTAINS
  • Breakfast at the hotel.
  • Visit the Majorelle Garden, constructed over a period of 40 years by French artist Jacques Majorelle.
  • Depart for the Ourika Valley in the High Atlas Mountains with a visit to the grave of the Tzaddik Rabbi Shlomo ben Hensh, and hear the story of Hananiyah Elfassie, one of the last Berber Jews.
  • Continue through the lush Ourika Valley and visit one of the Berber villages of Setti Fatma, with an opportunity for a short mountain walk and view of the waterfalls, with lunch on own.
  • Return to
  • Free afternoon for rest, relaxation and last-minute shopping.
  • Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant.
Overnight: Kenzi Rose Garden, Marrakech
Tuesday, October 28, 2025
DEPARTURE
  • Breakfast at the hotel and check-out.
  • Depart for Casablanca Airport (2 hrs. 45 min.)
  • Return flight to the United States.
Overnight: --

Program is subject to change, pending confirmations.

4,770
Per person based on double occupancy
675
Single-occupancy supplement

*Price is based on a minimum of 20 paying participants.  Price does not include airfare.

HOTELS

Kenzi Tower Hotel, Casablanca – 2 nights
Dawliz Resort Hotel, Rabat – 1 night
Les Merindes Hotel, Fes – 2 nights
Kenzi Rose Garden Hotel, Marrakech – 4 nights

LAND PRICE INCLUDES
  • Assistance + one group Transfer for Arrival and Departure
  • All group Transportation on a private luxury bus – throughout
  • Hotel Accommodations per above or similar, pending confirmation
  • Source Materials, Hat, Bag, Map
  • Water on bus daily
  • Porterage at hotels
  • Security
  • Tour Leader / Jewish Focus Guide throughout
  • Makor Staff Educator throughout
  • Meals
    • Daily Breakfast
    • 2 Lunches
    • 7 Dinners
NOT INCLUDED
  • International Flights
  • Tips for Guide and Driver
  • Meals on own and out of pocket expenses
  • Travel Interruption and Medical Insurance
PAYMENT AND REFUND SCHEDULE

Upon Registration      $500 Deposit per participant

January 6, 2025          25% of Total Payment Due, upon receipt of invoice

March 1, 2025              50 % of Total Payment Due, upon receipt of invoice

July 1, 2025                  Full Payment Due, upon receipt of invoice

Cancel By:

January 6, 2025         Full Refund

March 1, 2025             75% refund of Total Paid

July 1, 2025                 50 % refund of Total Paid

September 1, 2025     25% refund of Total Paid

Cancel After September 1, 2025 – No Refund 

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Rabbi Eleanor Steinman ([email protected]) or
Rabbi Misha Zinkow, Makor Journeys liaison ([email protected])

TRAVEL AND MEDICAL INSURANCE

We urge you to check with your provider about your medical coverage while traveling oversees, and to purchase medical insurance & supplemental medical coverage if necessary (which covers pre-existing conditions).

We also urge you to purchase trip cancellation/interruption insurance. This is a smart way to safeguard against life’s uncertainties.

Please note:

  • Most insurance policies require purchase within 21 days of your first payment in order to receive maximum coverage (pre-existing conditions, bankruptcy insurance, etc).
  • Even if you do not yet know the final trip cost (e.g. flights), write down the amount you do know – and then at a later date, the insurance premium can be amended.
  • Trip dates are for the entire period away from home
  • Trip costs are all pre-paid expenses (e.g. airfare + land costs)
  • Purchase insurance through your own insurance broker, on-line, or through Makor’s travel agent: World Express Travel (Los Angeles).  Contact is Michal Shabah [email protected]

 

RECOMMENDED FLIGHTS ~~ Rabbis Steinman and Eger will be flying on the itinerary that will be posted below. If you want assistance in booking your flight, you may contact Michal Shabah at World Express Travel (Los Angeles): [email protected]. Michal could be especially helpful if you wish to purchase travel insurance, and/or want assistance planning travel before and/or after our program. You are also free to book your own flights or to use your own travel agent.