The presence of Jews in Morocco dates back more than 2,000 years. Before the founding of Israel in 1948, their population was estimated to be around 275,000 people, considered the largest Jewish community in the Muslim world.
In Casablanca, there is a beautiful synagogue known to locals and tourists as the Bet-El Temple. Its main feature is the luxurious interior decoration; the building is adorned with exquisite stained glass windows, and inside, you can see beautiful handmade furniture and other unique decorative elements everywhere. The synagogue building is constructed in the finest Art Deco traditions, decorated with narrow tall windows, carved rosettes, and elegant black domes embellished with gilding.
This synagogue is the oldest in the country. Although there are now more than 30 synagogues operating in Casablanca, this one is considered the central synagogue. It was built in the very center of the old Jewish community, and as many years ago, today the entrance to the synagogue is decorated with massive carved wooden doors. Like many other large synagogues, the Bet-El Temple serves not only as a religious center but also as a cultural one. It hosts a children's Sunday school, which can be attended by kids aged 4 to 6. The spacious prayer hall is also often used for various community events.
Next to the building is a large beautiful park with various playgrounds and attractions for children. For locals, this place has long been the best option for weekend relaxation. The Bet-El Temple has long been involved in organizing various charitable events; its parishioners collect clothes and bring food for the underprivileged. The synagogue has a special calendar where one can study the upcoming scheduled events and also learn about the most important religious holidays.
Today, after numerous waves of emigration over many years, only about 2,000 Jews remain in Casablanca and about 500 in other parts of Morocco, but the Jewish presence is still felt in many landmarks. For example, the Museum of Moroccan Judaism in the suburbs of Casablanca is the only museum of Judaism in the Arab world.
Sources:
https://www.telegram.com/story/lifestyle/travel/2019/04/28/morocco-trove-of-jewish-history-if-you-know-where-to-go/5321750007/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/morocco-is-a-trove-of-jewish-history-if-you-know-where-to-go/
