Museum of Moroccan Judaism

The History

Built in 1948, the elegant villa that now houses the museum was once a Jewish orphanage, built by Mrs Celia Bengio in memory of her late husband Murdock Bengio.

Its function as an orphanage for the protection of Jewish children continued until the late 1970s, when vast amounts of the Moroccan Jewish community migrated to Israel, France, Canada, and the United States.

Amongst Arabic-speaking countries, it was Morocco that hosted the largest Jewish community. In the 1960s, Casablanca had more than 70,000 inhabitants of the Jewish faith.

In 1997, the same year the Museum of Jewish Art and History opened in Paris, a cultural space was created where Jews and Muslims could meet, along with this ethnographic museum which highlights the Moroccan Jewish tradition in Fez, Essaouira and Marrakech, cities which Moroccans had come from to work in Casablanca.

Browse a selection of the best Morocco Jewish Tours Packages that include a visit to the Museum of Moroccan Judaism as well as a shabbat recipe cooking class with a Jewish Family

The Museum Today

This museum dedicated to Jewish culture is unique in the Islamic World. It is a private ethnographic museum, consisting of two distinct spaces:

A space reserved for temporary exhibitions

A second space, with 3 rooms, for permanent exhibitions.

The pathway through the permanent exhibitions gives visitors a front row seat to the enhancement of the authenticity of Moroccan Judaica, as well as to the diversity of Moroccan synagogues and their interiors.

Read more: The ultimate guide to Morocco Jewish Heritage Sights.

Inside the Museum

One very pleasant feature of the visit: the sweet singing birds of the adjoining gardens accompanies visitors discovery of beautiful pieces of Moroccan Jewish craftsmanship! Bracelets and fibulas in 19th century silver, pendants, amulets and ankle bracelets. One window also displays dolls dressed in Judeo-Moroccan costumes.

A larger section is dedicated to sacred art: megillah cases, Thoras covered with their gold thread embroidered coat, and synagogue furniture. There is also beautiful 18th century Azemmour embroidery.

A section also exhibits tebahs from ancient synagogues or reading platforms made of carved wood where a rabbi would officiate. A beautiful set of rooms to discover in an extremely pleasant and relaxing setting.

Helpful Information

Contact Information

Phone : +212 5 22 99 49 40
Fax : +212 5 22 99 49 41
E-mail : fondationmusee@yahoo.fr / casajewishmuseum@gmail.com

Public opening hours

Winter season

Monday to Friday: 10am – 5pm
Sunday : 11am – 4pm

Summer season

Monday to Friday : 10am – 6pm
Sunday : 11am – 4pm

Every Wednesday, free admission for: Primary schools, high schools and universities’ students

Admission fee

Rate / visit: 50 DH per person