Elmaleh and Ricketts provide us with a compact popular survey of Jewish life in Morocco. The book includes a glossary, short recommended readings, an index, and some photographs (though not always close to the relevant description of the place). The book has three sections. The first is a very basic survey of the history of the Jews in Morocco, including a note on the Jewish Museum in Casablanca, which tries to gather objects related to Jewish Moroccan life. The second section, “Jewish Morocco by region,” describes the various communities which existed or still exist in Morocco. Thus, in addition to historical information, some data regarding the current condition is provided, including the size of the community. The third section focuses on saint worshiping, beliefs, customs, feasts, and food. There are many publications which provide much better information and analysis regarding the first and third sections. I find the major contribution of this book’s in the second section, which provides the reader with some first-hand information on the current condition of Jews in Morocco. Thus, it might be helpful for those interested in data on current Jewish life in Morocco, or for people planning to visit Jewish communities and sites in Morocco.
Nonfiction
Jews Under Moroccan Skies: Two Thousand Years of Jewish Life
- Review
By
– June 19, 2013
Rachel Simon, a librarian at Princeton University, does research on Jews in the modern Middle East and North Africa, with special reference to Libya, Ottoman Empire, women, and education.
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