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Cemetery at Skoura, Morocco
In the middle of a lush, green oasis we find the Jewish cemetery in the village of Skoura, a town known for two things: roses and casbahs (fortresses). Many tribes built casbahs, but in Skoura the Jews had their own, the “Casbah LiYahudi.” The Jewish community's cemetery is most famous as the burial site of the venerated saint rabbi David Arama Zatsal.
Description
Skoura is a village located in the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco near the region surrounding Ouarzazate. In fact, Skoura is located in a valley alongside Ouarzazate and many Ouarzazate Jews moved to Skoura after facing political pressures in their home town.
Skoura Cemetery
This video tours the cemetery at Skoura, which has been restored by a Casablancan Jewish man originally from Skoura. The renovated cemetery now includes housing and facilities for pilgrims visiting the cemetery and restorations have begun on the graves themselves.
![Skoura Casbah [2] (Skoura, Morocco, 2010)](https://cdn.filestackcontent.com/RdUMFmOzRulEq6qUdjQT/convert?w=100&h=100&fit=crop)
![Skoura Cemetery, Interior, Graves [4] (Skoura, Morocco, 2010)](https://cdn.filestackcontent.com/iHDPMfpTtubN8vSJURXA/convert?w=100&h=100&fit=crop)
![Skoura Cemetery, Interior, Graves [3] (Skoura, Morocco, 2010)](https://cdn.filestackcontent.com/PY3AkfsT7ejxGImMxLii/convert?w=100&h=100&fit=crop)
![Skoura Cemetery, Interior, Tombstones [2] (Skoura, Morocco, 2010)](https://cdn.filestackcontent.com/SNVnjkYRSMO2QsIRORhT/convert?w=100&h=100&fit=crop)
![Skoura Cemetery, Interior, Tombstones [1] (Skoura, Morocco, 2010)](https://cdn.filestackcontent.com/O0Vwh3ZhSeerLaWo3qR8/convert?w=100&h=100&fit=crop)
![Skoura Cemetery, Interior, Graves [2] (Skoura, Morocco, 2010)](https://cdn.filestackcontent.com/lMWDIiM3TJWII4fCkJKK/convert?w=100&h=100&fit=crop)
![Skoura Cemetery, Interior, Graves [1] (Skoura, Morocco, 2010)](https://cdn.filestackcontent.com/xVLrK9IlRpK455TNprGh/convert?w=100&h=100&fit=crop)
![Skoura Casbah [1] (Skoura, Morocco, 2010)](https://cdn.filestackcontent.com/yk73oKxIQKOG8pjRVnht/convert?w=100&h=100&fit=crop)
![Skoura Environs [2] (Skoura, Morocco, n.d.)](https://cdn.filestackcontent.com/TOycl7cuTyCwU5wg84Dn/convert?w=100&h=100&fit=crop)
![Skoura Environs [3] (Skoura, Morocco, n.d.)](https://cdn.filestackcontent.com/dMxrCa1vS5ivhHPYzLR4/convert?w=100&h=100&fit=crop)
![Skoura Environs [4] (Skoura, Morocco, n.d.)](https://cdn.filestackcontent.com/WEdL8fb7Q2eLZTTuY9uV/convert?w=100&h=100&fit=crop)
Sources
Aomar Boum. "Ouarzazate (and region)." Encyclopedia of Jews in the Islamic World. Executive Editor Norman A. Stillman. Brill Online, 2014. Reference. Wellesley College. 16 July 2014 <http://referenceworks.brillonline.com/entries/encyclopedia-of-jews-in-the-islamic-world/ouarzazate-and-region-SIM_0017140>.
DiarnaInfo. "Skoura Cemetery." Online video clip. Youtube. Youtube, 25 June 2010. Web. 11 July 2014. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpFuaIgpDVw>.
"Jewish Heritage Morocco: Marrakech, Valley of Death and Draa 8 nights /9 days, Itinerary." Jewish Travel Agency. N.d. Accessed July 16, 2014, http://www.jewishtravelagency.com/JewishTravel/MoroccoMarrakValleyDadesDraa.htm.