“No matter what the circumstances, children of varying levels of privilege were to be educated.” These words echo through the decades as we stand before Synagogue Em Habbanim in Casablanca. This is more than just a place of worship. It’s a testament to the enduring spirit of a community. It’s a beacon of hope during times of adversity.
Synagogue Em Habbanim has a fascinating history. It intertwines with the story of a school and the dedication of a few key individuals. The Em Habanim school emerged from humble beginnings. It started in 1942 as a small canteen. The founders were brothers, Moise and David Bendayan. Their vision was simple yet profound. They wanted to provide education and religious enrichment to children regardless of their background.
By the late 1950s, Synagogue Em Habbanim became a center of Jewish congregation. In the 1960s, the school expanded into a two-story building. It stood proudly across from the synagogue. The school welcomed the entire Jewish community. Despite the increased space, it was always bustling with activity. Young boys filled the air with their voices. They were playing and learning.
The Em Habanim school was part of the Ozar Hatorah system. Its curriculum was Jewish Orthodox. Students received instruction in Hebrew, Arabic, and French. Before the mass emigration of Jews from Morocco after 1956, Em Habanim had 9 instructors and 346 students. The school primarily served disadvantaged youth. It aimed to provide them access to quality education. It also provided them religious enrichment. Students entered at age six. The instruction lasted seven years.
The name “Em Habanim” means “Mother of the boys” in Arabic. In the early 20th century, a group of Moroccan Jewish women started a network of schools and orphanages under the same name in Sefrou’s mellah. The Casablanca school wasn’t directly part of this network. However, it shared the same values. Both focused on educating and caring for young Jewish children.
The Em Habanim school received support from the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee or JDC. This New York-based organization supported Jewish education networks. These networks included the Alliance Israelite Universelle or AIU. Ozar Hatorah is a non-profit organization. Isaac Shalom, a New Yorker of Syrian descent, created it in 1945. Shalom and his partners saw a “Jewish spiritual decline and intellectual impoverishment.” This became a concern for them.
In the 1950s, there were three Ozar Hatorah-affiliated Em Habanim schools in Morocco. They were located in Casablanca, Fez, and Sefrou. Ozar Hatorah means “the wealth of the Torah.” The schools were often Jewish Orthodox. They took pride in religious excellence.
Today, Em Habanim still stands. The school is no longer gender-segregated. This is due to the limited number of Jewish pupils in Morocco. Yet, it remains connected to the remaining Jewish Moroccan community through its synagogue. The descendant of the founders, Mr. David Bendayan, maintains it.
Imagine the echoes of prayers and youthful voices that resonate within these walls. Synagogue Em Habbanim stands as a living monument. It embodies education, community, and faith. It connects the past with the present. It serves as a reminder of the enduring strength of the Jewish community in Casablanca.