Casablanca

Oceanfront in Casablanca

Rick's Cafe

Cityscape in Casablanca

Hassan II mosque

Synagogue in Casablanca

Synagogue in Casablanca

Rooftops in Casablanca

Synagogue in Casablanca

Museum of Moroccan Jewry

How many times have I seen the movie Casablanca? Too many to count. But, I was disappointed to find out that it was not filmed in Casablanca but in a Hollywood studio!! But now there is Rick's Cafe here!!

Casablanca is a port city and commercial hub in western Morocco, fronting the Atlantic Ocean. The city's French colonial legacy is seen in its downtown Mauresque architecture, a blend of Moorish style and European art deco. Standing partly over the water, the enormous Hassan II Mosque, completed in 1993, has a 210m minaret topped with lasers directed toward Mecca.
The Hassan II Mosque the largest mosque in Africa, and the 5th largest in the world. Its minaret is the world's tallest minaret at 210 metres. There still is a Jewish community in Casablanca, although it is shrinking.  Young people move away to Israel, the US, Canada, France.

The Museum of Moroccan Judaism, or El Mellah Museum, is a Jewish museum in Casablanca, Morocco. Established in 1997, it is the only museum devoted to Judaism in the Arab world. The 
museum, whose building originated in 1948 as a Jewish orphanage that housed up to 160 Jewish

youth, was renovated in 2013.

Siena- a must see!!

Piazza del Campo

Piazzo del Campo

City Hall at Piazza del Campo- refuge in the sttorm

City Hall in Siena

Refuge during a hail storm in August!!

Synagogue in Siena

Siena- charming hill town

Siena is a city in Tuscany, Italy. It is the capital of the province of Siena. The historic center of Siena has been declared by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.  It is one of the nation's most visited tourist attractions. Siena is famous for its cuisine, art and its medieval cityscape.

The Jewish community dates back to the 13th century. It is very small now but they maintain a synagogue.

Visiting on a hot August day, we were surprised to be caught in a hail storm with hail stones the size of dimes!! Luckily we took shelter in the arches of the city hall for the 40 minutes it poured and rained hail stones at us.

Myanmar- Full of Surprises!

Right from the start, I was surprised by Yangon which has no motorbikes- only cars and buses. There is also a beautiful synagogue there with only one Jewish family left of a once thriving community. On the from the airport, I saw a ferris wheel.

Yangon combines modern and traditional buildings, the most famous pagodas and temples in the country and I will blog a more about them with more pictures when I get home.

Now I am at a lovely spot at Lake Inle called Pristine Lotus Hotel and Spa which is heaven on earth, so beautiful and calm. The staff is friendly and nice. Minority groups live in the area and specialize in different handicrafts so everyday we go by boat to their villages to see how they make their wares. Yesterday was the 5 day market and we saw people from all around come to buy and sell. Wait until you see the photos! I hope the capture the color, drama and excitement of the day!

Some Synagogues in the Wine Region

Many of the small villages in the Tokaj region had thriving Jew communities living there for centuries. The synagogues were imposing buildings. The rabbis were well-known and respected. Some of the synagogues are now arts and crafts centers, or old age homes, or government offices. None of them have any indications on them that they were once synagogues- no signage. There are a few Jews that still live in the area that come to tell you the history, that take care of the building if it is still a synagogue- only two that we saw. In the whole area, there are only nine Jewish families. Many Jew were killed in the war. The survivors left to go to Israel or other places. Most Jews in Hungary live in Budapest or some in Dubrecen.

In my next post, I will show some pictures of the cemeteries and show you some graves of famous rabbis. Some of the families have made it their life's work to tend to the graves and keep the cemeteries clean and sanctified.

Restored Synagogue at Mad in Tokaj Region

This synagogue was built in 1795 in a unique baroque style. The exterior wall of the synagogue has been redone and the interior is under restoration. Funding and money are partially being given by the World Monument Fund in the frame of a Jewish Heritage Program. There is, however, no plumbing or electricity so the building cannot really be used. There are no Jews who will be using the synagogue. There is no minyan (the 10 men needed for prayer) in the area. Only tourists who come there to visit are interested in seeing the synagogue.