We headed off early for the center of the city. With our map in hand, and complicated directions, we managed to find Bet El Synagogue behind a wall and hidden by trees. The door was slightly ajar, and when we poked our heads in, the security guard welcomed us to step inside. We left our bags by the door and entered the courtyard and sanctuary. A bar mitzvah boy was at the bema and about 60 people were in attendance. Stephen was welcomed with a talis and ushered to the front near the bema and I went upstairs to sit with the handful of women. It was beautiful inside complete with chandeliers. The chanting was unrecognizable to us, with Sephardic tunes. The courtyard was set up for a lavish Kiddush lunch. We learned there are still about 3,000 Jews in Casablanca and they are well respected and get along well with their Arab neighbors. We walked down the street and came upon another shul hidden from view, called Abraham Mamoun– it was rather run down and had only about 20 men in attendance. From there we made our way to the walled Medina – a crowded market place with tiny streets filled with vendors of clothes, leather goods, vegetables and jewelry. We found our way around by speaking French although people were most hospitable and helpful. For something different, we walked through the Hyatt Hotel, an upscale Arab design – whoa – pretty swanky and a world away from what was going on outside!
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