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n a significant effort to enrich the tourism experience and promote deeper understanding of the kingdom’s diverse history, Moroccan tourist guides have undergone specialized training in the heritage and history of Moroccan Judaism. A key component of this initiative was a comprehensive training seminar titled “Moroccan Judaism, history and culture,” which initially engaged 15 guides. This is just the beginning of a broader program, with additional training sessions planned across the country, aiming to equip approximately one hundred guides with this specialized knowledge. The training was delivered in Arabic by two experienced Israeli educators of Moroccan descent, facilitating effective communication and cultural exchange.
This ambitious project was spearheaded by the Association of Friends of Moroccan Judaism, an organization deeply committed to the safeguarding and promotion of both the tangible and intangible aspects of Jewish-Moroccan heritage. Their efforts were bolstered by the support of the School of Tourism at the University of Haifa, highlighting international collaboration in this endeavor.
This important project was spearheaded by the Association of Friends of Moroccan Judaism.
The Association of Friends of Moroccan Judaism has a proven track record of actively working to preserve and celebrate this rich heritage. Their previous initiatives include organizing the popular “Jewish Days” festival in various Moroccan cities, conducting training programs, undertaking site renovations, and facilitating educational visits to places of Jewish historical significance for high school and college students. They also host festive events centered around Judeo-Moroccan themes and publish valuable collections of educational materials on these subjects.
This latest training program for tourist guides is particularly timely, coinciding with a notable increase in Israeli tourism to Morocco. Data from the annual report of The Abraham Accords Institute for Peace, citing the Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics, reveals that in 2022, a substantial 70,000 Israelis visited Morocco. In contrast, 2,500 Moroccans traveled to Israel during the same period. This growing influx of Israeli visitors underscores the importance of providing guides who are well-versed in Moroccan Jewish history and culture, enabling them to offer a more informed and meaningful experience.