Jewish Quarter Of Marrakech: Amidst Earthquake Aftermath Preparations Underway For Rosh Hashanah

MARRAKECH, MOROCCO - SEPTEMBER 15: A person walks through the Jewish cemetery ahead of Erev Rosh Hashana on September 15, 2023 in Marrakech, Morocco. This year following the earthquake that measured 6.8 on the Richter scale and has left more than 3,000 people dead, the Mellah neighborhood (the jewish quarter), which received a heavy amount of damage, has become unlivable for many families. Ahead of the holidays of Rosh Hashana (Jewish New Year, 5784) and Yom Kippur (holiday of atonement) aka ‘The High Holidays’ many from the community, who still reside in the Mellah neighborhood, have found shelter elsewhere including spending the holiday period with relatives. The area is home to two main synagogues, and the Jewish cemetery that was established in 1537. Whilst the epicentre was in a sparsely populated area of the High Atlas Mountains, its effects have been felt 71km away in Marrakesh, a major tourist destination, where many buildings have collapsed and thousands of deaths have been reported. (Photo by Alexi Rosenfeld/Getty Images)