Jewish Museum - Morocco

An exhibition of photographs revealing the almost forgotten Jewish community of southern Morocco, where for nearly 2000 years Jewish life was marked by social and cultural co-existence with Muslim society. The exhibition features evocative photographs from the Atlas Mountains and Sahara oases. Early photographs, taken in the 1940s and 1950s by Elias Harrus, reflect the deep links in Morocco between the Jewish and Muslim communities, their religious life, crafts and traditions. What makes them so precious is that the communities represented have since virtually disappeared. This is therefore a rare snapshot into a vanished world.

In 2008, Pauline Prior revisited the regions photographed by Harrus and found a very different Morocco to the one Harrus had documented 50 years earlier.

Also on display is rare film footage, as well as jewellery and traditional ceremonial costume from Morocco.

Morocco: Photographs by Elias Harrus and Pauline Prior is an exhibition from the Jewish Historical Museum, Amsterdam.

Presented at the Jewish Museum London in partnership with the Moroccan British Society.

Morocco Photographs by Elias Harrus and Pauline Prior11 November 2010–6 March 2011

This page top Elias Harrus: Rabbi Jacob Benhamou (left), a wealthy merchant and businessman who made his fortune in the Trans-Saharan caravan trade, Beni Sbih, 1958. © Beit Hatfutsot, Tel Aviv

This page bottom Elias Harrus: Chaim Ouaknine, the local sheikh el yahud (leader of the Jewish community), with some of his children and grandchildren, Taznakht, 1954. © Beit Hatfutsot, Tel Aviv

Far right Elias Harrus: Jewish cobbler working in front of his house, Oufrane, 1960. © Beit Hatfutsot, Tel Aviv

Far left Elias Harrus: Jewish woman, her baby on her thigh, peeling almonds for sale at the local market, Tiilit, 1950. © Beit Hatfutsot, Tel Aviv

This page top Elias Harrus: men at mellah, the Jewish neighborhood of Assamer, Aït Bou-Oulli, 1952. © Alliance Israélite Universelle, Paris

This page middle Elias Harrus: two Jews and a Muslim travelling to Tagounit, 1958. © Alliance Israélite Universelle, Paris

This page bottom Elias Harrus: Isaac Serraf, a local community leader and supporter of the Alliance school, with Jewish pupils, Akka, 1952. © Alliance Israélite Universelle, Paris

Choose from our programme of events to discover more about Jewish life in Morocco.

All events tickets include admission to the museum and Morocco: Photographs by Elias Harrus and Pauline Prior an hour before the event.

Sephardic London: A Virtual TourWednesday 24 November, 7pmJoin Blue Badge guide Rachel Kolsky on a virtual tour of Sephardic London, from the early arrivals who established Bevis Mark Synagogue inside the City walls to the current vibrant community, living and working across the capital. The tour will be followed by the premiere of a new film by Bea Lewkowicz, Sephardic Voices – a collection of oral testimonies by Sephardic Jews from Iraq, Egypt and Morocco, who have settled in the UK. £10

Song, Colour and Spice: Celebrating Moroccan Sephardi LifeThursday 2 December, 7pmDr Hilary Pomeroy will be exploring the vibrant traditions of Morocco. Looking at customs, music, costume and much more, you will discover the special ways in which Moroccan Jews celebrated births, weddings and death. Dr Pomeroy teaches the culture and history of Sephardi Jews at University College London, specialising in Judeo-Spanish ballads. She will accompany this illustrated talk by recorded music from northern Morocco. £10

Moroccan Night at the Jewish MuseumThursday 24 February, 7.30pm We invite you to celebrate all things Moroccan in an evening of enchanting tales, beautiful objects, inspiring moves and delicious food, all accompanied by traditional music and an unlimited supply of fresh mint tea!

Stay late at the museum and listen to traditional stories of love and passion, try out some belly dancing, take part in a craft session and enjoy Moroccan-inspired refreshments. £25 including refreshments In partnership with JCC for London

Los Desterrados – Moroccan DelightsThursday 3 March, 7.30pmLos Desterrados famously play the music of Sephardic Jews. For this exclusive performance at the Jewish Museum, they will focus on the Sephardic song traditions of Morocco, playing instruments such as darbuka, riq and ‘oud. This special programme will take the audience on a musical journey through the traditional themes of love, marriage, family and faith.£18

Co-existence – Then and NowTuesday 15 February, 7.30pmJoin us for a talk hosted by the Moroccan British Society with Dr Ahmed Chahlene of Mohamed V University, Rabat – Agdal, Morocco, a leading academic on Jewish – Muslim relations. The Moroccan British Society provides Moroccan and British people with the opportunity to acquire a better mutual understanding and develop cooperative ties.£10

Events

Tickets020 7284 7384 www.jewishmuseum.org.uk [email protected]

“ Los Desterrados take the music of the Sephardic Jews, with its strong Latin influences, and drag it effortlessly into the 21st century with lashings of Spanish folk and Balkan soul.” London Metro

Young Artists’ Craft Studio: Light up the Night Sunday 12 December, 2–4pmIt’s that time of year again – the days are cold and the nights are long…

This Hanukah join the Jewish Museum for a heart-warming workshop and learn how to make a beautiful lantern, inspired by our exhibition Morocco. You will get to take home your decorated lantern to light up those winter nights.Suitable for children aged 4 and over.Free with museum admission.

Young Artists’ Craft Studio: Mosaic WorkshopTuesday 15 February, 2–4pmCreate a beautiful mosaic based on traditional Moroccan patterns, inspired by our exhibition Morocco. You will learn to design and make a door sign or picture to take home at the end of the workshop.Suitable for children aged 6 and over.£5 per child.

The Drumming CircleSunday 20 February, 2–3pmJoin acclaimed musician Guy Schalom for an hour of drumming, singing and movement. Bring along your favourite adults and learn how to play together simple beats and songs from across the Middle East, North Africa and Andalusia, using a variety of percussions. Use one of the instruments provided or bring your own.Suitable for children aged 5 and over.All children must be accompanied by an adult.Free with museum admission.

PlusJewish Book Week Special: Little BookniksSunday 13 February, 10am–4pmA day dedicated to children’s literature for 4–12 year olds including workshops, author sessions, face painting and more. £15 one adult + one child (including admission to museum plus 1 session)£6 for each additional family member£3 for each additional session per personIn association with The Jewish Museum and JCC for London

Family Fun


Join UsThere has never been a better to time to becomea Friend of the Jewish Museum. Following its exciting transformation, the new museum is an inspirational place for people of all ages, faiths and backgrounds to explore Jewish culture, heritage and identity.

Benefits include:– Free entry to the museum– Invitations to private views– Invitations to special Friends’ events– What’s On brochures and email updates.

To find out more about becoming a Friend visit www.jewishmuseum.org.uk/friends or call on 020 7284 7384.

All event tickets include admission to the museum and Morocco: Photographs by Elias Harrus and Pauline Prior an hour before the event.

Friends’ Events

At Home with Three Remarkable Anglo-Jewish FamiliesExclusively for Friends of the Jewish Museum.Our series of Armchair Tours given by Rachel Kolsky invites you to be ‘At Home’ with three distinguished Anglo-Jewish families whose names and influence are recognised throughout the world. Through these talks you feel as if you have met the families, visited their homes and met their friends.

For the Rothschild’s, Piccadilly became ‘Rothschild Row’ and Aylesbury, ‘Rothschildshire’ as they established opulent homes in London’s West End. A neighbour of theirs for many years, Sir Moses Montefiore, the great financier and philanthropist, lived nearby in Park Lane. He built his country estate in Ramsgate, Kent with a private mausoleum where both Sir Moses and his wife are buried. The Sassoon family, who originated from Baghdad were nicknamed ‘The Rothschilds of the East’. Sir Philip Sassoon’s homes included Trent Park and the theatrically decorated Port Lymphe.

Rothchilds Armchair tour Thursday 13 January, 7.30pmMontefiores Armchair tour Sunday 27 February, 2.30pmSassoons Armchair tour Thursday 17 March, 7.30pm

£10 each or £28 for all 3


Holocaust Memorial EventsPortraits for Posterity14 January – 11 FebruaryAn auditorium display of striking portraits of twenty survivors of the Nazi Holocaust now living in Britain by Matt Writtle. Free

Untold Stories: The Rescue of Jews in AlbaniaTuesday 25 January, 7pmJoin Dr Scarlett Epstein OBE in conversation withBBC reporter and writer Gabriel Partos about thelittle known story of the rescue of Jews in Albaniaduring the Second World War. There will be ascreening of Epstein’s film Back from The Brink and the Albanian Ambassador will be attending.£10 including free admission to the museum.

Holocaust Memorial Day Ceremony Thursday 27 January, 6.30pmThe Jewish Museum and the London Borough ofCamden invite you to join us for an event to markthe anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitzincluding a testimony from a survivor, a candlelighting ceremony and music.Free advanced booking required

The World was Ours: The Jewish Legacy of Vilna (US, 2006)Thursday 3 February, 7pmThis evocative film tells the story of one of themost important pre-war Jewish communities inEurope, its subsequent confinement to the VilnaGhetto and its complete demise by the end of theSecond World War.£10 including free admission to the galleries.In partnership with the Lithuanian Embassy inLondon as part of the season No simple stories.

More from the Jewish Museum

Walks East End VillageSunday 12 December, 11amExplore some of the lesser known Jewish sights with Blue Badge guide Rachel Kolsky on a walk from Mile End to Stepney Green. £12

Jewish Firsts Sunday 9 January, 11amHighlighting stories of Jewish firsts – a Lord Mayor, a Prime Minister, a Baronet and an MP. Hear their stories brought to life where it happened. £12

East End StorySunday 20 February, 11amDiscover the streets where fact merges with fiction. Your guide, Rachel Kolsky, will include short passages by, amongst others, Zangwill, Wesker and Rachel Lichtenstein.Part of Jewish Book Week£12.50

Women of WorthSunday 13 March 2011, 11amCelebrates the lives of women who made animpact on the Jewish community in London’s East End with Rachel Kolsky.£12.50

Di Sheyne Milnerin: An Evening of Yiddish SongThursday 18 November, 7pmThe premiere of Di Sheyne Milnerin, Schubert’sgreat cycle of unrequited love, retold throughYiddish song. Featuring the creators of theacclaimed A Yiddish Winterreise, bass-baritoneMark Glanville with Alexander Knapp on the piano.£15 including free admission to the museum.

JewltideSaturday, 4 December, 8pmA late night Hanukah party featuring music by Eran Baron Cohen, a ukulele orchestra and Yiddish bingo.£8 in advance/£10 on the door. including free admission to the museum.In partnership with the JCC

All event tickets include admission to themuseum and Morocco: Photographs by Elias Harrus and Pauline Prior.

CaféFor the full Moroccan experience, why not visit the Jewish Museum kosher cafe? Enjoy our special Moroccan menu – treat yourself to a refreshing mint tea and a tasty tagine.

Alongside our special Moroccan menu will be all your usual favourites, including chicken soup, salt beef sandwiches and smoked salmon bagels. Plus teas, coffees, cakes and snacks.

Enjoy

ShopVisit the shop and choose from a wide selection of Moroccan pieces, including jewellery, clothes, decorative ornaments – take a bit of Morocco home with you.

The shop also has a great range of Jewish related books, modern Judaica, gifts, toys and stationery.

You can also shop online www.jewishmuseum.org.uk/shop

Opening hoursMonday – Thursday 10am–5pmFriday 10am–2pmSaturday closed Sunday 10am– 5pmPlease see website for Christmas and New Year opening hours

The Jewish MuseumRaymond Burton House129–131 Albert StreetCamden TownLondon NW1 7NB3 mins walk from Camden Town tube

Map

The Jewish Museum reopened in March 2010, following a £10 million transformation. The new Museum explores and celebrates Jewish life and cultural diversity as part of the wider story of Britain.

In our galleries you will discover a huge variety of hands-on exhibits, objects, films, photography and personal stories that paint a vivid picture of one of Britain’s oldest minorities from 1066 until today.

Admission Adults £7 Concessions £6 Child (5–16) £3 Family ticket £17 for two adults and up to 4 childrenUnder 5s and Friends freeGroup bookings – groups of 10+ people receive a 10% discount.The above prices include a voluntary donation for Gift Aid purposes.Admission is free to the Welcome Gallery, museum shop and cafe.

The Jewish Museum is fully accessible to wheelchair users.

Registered limited company no. 2655110, England & Wales. Registered office as above. Registered Charity no. 1009819 VAT registration no. 5645226 37. Accredited museum no.31

Information

020 7284 [email protected]

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“ My instinct is that an important new national institution is just about to be born” The Times, March 2010

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Jewish Museum - Morocco

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