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AIU School at Essaouira, Morocco
The Alliance Israélite Universelle established schools in Essaouira in the 1860s. These schools opened and closed throughout the 1860s and 70s, finally reopening permanently in 1888. The Anglo-Jewish Association also established a number of schools in Essaouira. Some of the Jewish residents of Essaouira were concerned by the opening of European schools, since they threatened their previously unquestioned leadership. [1]
Description
Founded in 1764, Essaouria was home to a thriving Jewish community which migrated to the new port city from Agadir and other towns across Morocco [2]. Early in its history, Essaouira reportedly featured 27 synagogues. [3] Initially, Jews and Muslims lived side-by-side in Essouira. The village was unique; since the populations of Jews and Muslims were equal, neither was a minority [4]. The Jews had an important role in business ownership. However, Sultan Mawlāy Sulaymān issued a "dahir" (decree) in 1807 creating the Jewish "mellah" (quarter) in Essaouira and requiring Jews to live there. Through the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries, Essaouira's eminence as a port city began to decrease, and Casablanca became the French's principal port while Agadir became their southern port during the protectorate period. In 1951, the Jewish community in Essaouira still numbered over 5,000 [5]. However, during the Six Day War in 1967, many Essouirian Jews began to leave. The wealthier ones could afford to, but some of the poorer ones had no choice but to stay [6]. Today there are reportedly 50 Jewish families in the city. [7]. But the Jewish-Arab culture of the past still is remembered today [8].
Sources
[1] Daniel Schroeter. "Essaouira (Mogador)." Encyclopedia of Jews in the Islamic World. Executive Editor Norman A. Stillman. Brill Online, 2014. Reference. Wellesley College. 19 June 2014 <http://referenceworks.brillonline.com/entries/encyclopedia-of-jews-in-the-islamic-world/essaouira-mogador-COM_0007430>.
[2] "The Last Jews of Essaouira," The Last Jews of Essaouira, Morocco News Board, N.d., accessed July 11, 2014, http://www.moroccoboard.com/news/559-the-last-jews-of-essaouira.
[3] "The Mellah, Jewish Quarter is Destroyed" review of the Simon Attias Synagogue, accessed August 8, 2014, http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g298349-d2269542-r123228662-Simon_Attias_Synagogue-Essaouira_Marrakech_Tensift_El_Haouz_Region.html
[4] Schroeter, "Essaouira."
[5] "The Last Jews of Essaouira," Morocco News Board.
[6] Schroeter, "Essaouira.
[7] Schroeter, "Essaouira."
[8] "The Last Jews of Essaouira," Morocco News Board.
Photos
Alliance Israélite Universelle. "Jeunes Marocaines dansant à Mogador (futur Essaouira), le 16 juin 1935 pour le 75e anniversaire de l’Alliance." ArchivesdeFrance.Culture.gouv.fr. June 16, 1935. Accessed July 1, 2014, http://www.archivesdefrance.culture.gouv.fr/static/3551.
Cohenelie. "Recreation period at the Auguste Beaumier School, Mogador, 1955." Dafina.net. 1955. Accessed July 1, 2014, http://dafina.net/forums/file.php?55,file=22429,filename=Ecole_Auguste_Beaumier_Mogador1.jpg.
"The old Jewish school in Melllah." Essaouira.nu. N.d. Accessed July 11, 2014, http://www.essaouira.nu/Pics/oldjewishschoolmellah_500.jpg.
"The school of Auguste Beaumier, 1." Essaouira.nu. N.d. Accessed July 11, 2014, http://www.essaouira.nu/Pics/beaumier_1_400.jpg.
"The school of Auguste Beaumier, 2." Essaouira.nu. N.d. Accessed July 11, 2014, http://www.essaouira.nu/Pics/beaumier_2_400.jpg.
"The school of Auguste Beaumier, 3." Essaouira.nu. N.d. Accessed July 11, 2014, http://www.essaouira.nu/Pics/beaumier_3_300.jpg.
"The school of Auguste Beaumier, 4." Essaouira.nu. N.d. Accessed July 11, 2014, http://www.essaouira.nu/Pics/beaumier_4_400.jpg.
