“Kol Yisrael arevim zeh ba-zeh” — all Jews are responsible for one another.
Taking care of each other. That is the message that has stayed with me most deeply since returning from the Milwaukee Jewish Federation’s (MJF) recent mission to Morocco.
When I signed up for this trip, I wasn’t entirely sure why I was going—other than that it was a place I had never been, I was traveling with the MJF, and I wanted to experience this country through the lens of Judaism. I was not disappointed. I came home with a profoundly renewed understanding of why I give to the MJF Annual Campaign — and how, through our collective giving, we truly take care of one another around the world.
Before this trip, my knowledge of Morocco was limited. I had seen the movie, ‘Casablanca,’ a few dozen times, but that was about it. What I found was a country where Muslims, Jews, and Christians live side by side. (Just don’t ask me about women’s rights, that’s another article.)
At the magnificent Hassan II Mosque — the only mosque in Morocco open to non-Muslims — I was overwhelmed by its beauty and spirit. Sitting on the edge of the Atlantic, it is the largest mosque in Africa and the third largest in the world. I felt privileged just to stand within its walls.
We took a walking tour through the Mellah of Casablanca, the city’s old Jewish quarter, and visited the Beth-El Synagogue, which remains active and is considered the “main” synagogue of the city. Its beauty and history reminded me of the deep roots Jewish life once had throughout Morocco.
We met with two judges from the Jewish Court of Casablanca, who spoke about balancing halacha (Jewish law), sharia (Islamic law), and civil law. Their dedication to preserving Jewish life within a Muslim society made me reflect on our own work in Milwaukee to sustain vibrant Jewish identity in a complex world.
One evening, we had dinner with Yossi Ben-David, Israel’s ambassador to Morocco and former mayor of Tiberias (2015–2019). I had met him years earlier on a Partnership2Gether mission, and it was moving to see how MJF’s work creates these enduring circles of connection — linking our small community in Milwaukee to Jews, Israelis, and partners around the world.
In Rabat, we walked along the walls of the royal palace, home of King Mohammed VI, and learned about his grandfather, King Mohammed V, who during World War II refused to let Morocco’s Jews be deported to Nazi death camps. His moral courage saved thousands of lives, a reminder that leadership can preserve humanity even in the darkest times.
Throughout the trip, we visited institutions funded by the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) — organizations sustained by MJF’s annual campaign. At Neve Shalom, a Jewish day school, we met children and sang together. It always amazes me that no matter where I am, Jewish children know the same songs with the same melodies. Our voices blended effortlessly — one people, one tradition, half a world apart.
At a Jewish nursing home supported by the JDC, we saw how our dollars ensure that elderly Jews without family are cared for with dignity and love. Standing there, I thought about my own family’s history in Europe — and how, through MJF, I am helping care for theirs. This is “Kol Yisrael arevim zeh ba-zeh” — our shared responsibility made real.
We also learned about the Berbers, or Amazigh people — the original inhabitants of this land. We visited their village, bringing school supplies and small candies for their children. Just as our JCC food pantry is the Jewish response to hunger, this was our Jewish response to helping others. The mission reminded me that our responsibility doesn’t end with our own people, it extends to anyone in need.
In Marrakesh, one of the most inspiring moments was meeting members of Association Mimouna, a group of young Muslim students dedicated to preserving Morocco’s Jewish heritage and fostering Jewish–Muslim friendship. Their openness and respect reflected the best of what our world could be — and echoed MJF’s belief that connection, education, and empathy build bridges stronger than politics or borders.
Morocco even has a Jewish Museum — the only one in the Arab world. Its existence is deeply meaningful, not only for Moroccan Jews but also for non-Jews, who can see and appreciate our story, faith, and resilience.
We worshiped in a synagogue still active among Morocco’s 1,500 remaining Jews—a small remnant of the 300,000 who lived there before World War II. We learned why so many left for Israel, France, and beyond, yet we also felt the enduring spirit of those who stayed. In a synagogue founded in 1492, the year Jews were expelled from Spain, I found myself in tears. I couldn’t fully explain them, but I knew I was sitting in sacred space, surrounded by centuries of strength and survival.
At a nearby Jewish cemetery, we saw thousands of graves—many in disrepair. One man has devoted his life to restoring the site, and our group joined him, helping to identify and honor Jews long forgotten. It was a small mitzvah, a tangible act of remembrance — and again, a moment when we took care of one another.
Of course, we also enjoyed lighter moments — taking a Moroccan cooking class, riding camels, and shopping in the colorful markets. These joyful experiences added warmth and texture to a journey that was as emotional as it was meaningful.
Throughout the mission, we took care of each other. Our group of travelers, strangers at first, quickly became a community — sharing laughter, insights, and connection. One evening, a couple from Baltimore joined us for Shabbat dinner, invited by one of our participants. That simple act of hospitality captured the essence of our trip: we take care of each other.
This mission connected the dots between Milwaukee and Morocco. Our Jewish community of 25,000 supporting a community of 1,500 — separated by distance but united by faith, history, and shared responsibility.
While I’ve been involved in so many of MJF’s outward-facing programs over the years, seeing how Morocco’s Jewish community and its allies are preserving and re-introducing Jewish identity into the national fabric gave me a deeper appreciation for the work we do here at home. The Nathan and Esther Pelz Holocaust Education Resource Center, Jewish Museum Milwaukee, Jewish Community Relations Council, and J-Hub all help strengthen and safeguard Jewish life in Wisconsin. Their educational outreach and allyship remind me that our stories and partnerships not only preserve our past — they help ensure our future.
“Kol Yisrael arevim zeh la-zeh.”
All Jews are responsible for one another.
That’s why I give to the Milwaukee Jewish Federation’s Annual Campaign—and why I always will.
You can support the 2026 Milwaukee Jewish Federation Annual Campaign at Milwaukeejewish.org/Give
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Morocco has a Jewish Museum — the only one in the Arab world. Its existence is deeply meaningful, not only for Moroccan Jews but also for non-Jews, who can see and appreciate our story, faith, and resilience.
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