Morocco opens first state-funded Jewish Culture museum
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In Fes, Morocco, officials opened the Museum of Moroccan Jewish Culture on Monday, marking the first time an Arab-Muslim country has publicly funded a museum dedicated solely to Jewish culture.
The 1,700 square meter museum displays a collection of over 2,500 years of Jewish life in Morocco, including ritual objects, archaeological artifacts, and historical manuscripts.
The museum explores communal life within Moroccan Jewish communities, featuring exhibits on synagogues, schools, courts, and traditions surrounding life cycle events like births, weddings, and religious holidays. Visitors can see items like Torah scrolls, marriage contracts, and traditional crafts, including a recreated jeweler’s workshop and examples of textiles and musical instruments. King Mohammed VI initiated the museum’s construction in 2019 as part of a larger effort to restore and promote the historic medina of Fez.
The museum’s design involved the Moroccan Jewish community, with Serge Berdugo, Founding President of the Foundation for Moroccan Jewish Cultural Heritage, playing a key role. The museum’s facade includes an inscription in Arabic, Amazigh, Hebrew, and French, reflecting Morocco’s commitment to recognizing its diverse cultural heritage. The opening ceremony included Ahmed Toufiq, Morocco’s Minister of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, and Mehdi Qotbi, President of the National Foundation of Museums.
