Temple Beth Shalom Journey to Morocco
Enjoy Morocco's colorful cities and beautiful countryside
Experience the contemporary Jewish community of Morocco
- Depart the United States for Casablanca, 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Breakfast at the hotel and check-out.
- Depart for Casablanca Airport (2 hrs. 45 min.)
- Return flight to the United States.
Program is subject to change, pending confirmations.
*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]