A major city in Morocco, situated in the extreme northwest corner of the African continent, on the western entrance to the Strait of Gibraltar, where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Mediterranean Sea. It is only 17 kilometres from Spain/European continent. Prior to Moroccan independence in 1956, Tangier was an international zone
Alternate name: Tanger. Current town population: 550,000 with less than 25 Jews.
Postal address: La Cimetière des Juifs, Rue Du Portugal, Tangier, Morocco. On some local maps the cemetery is called La Cimetière des Juifs: Israelites.
Two female and one male Muslim caretakers work there by day and are not resident caretakers of the overgrown site with many chickens running around. They have the key. Graves in the inactive urban cemetery on a hillside seem to date up to 1950. The gate is unmarked but by climbing Les Escaliers Americains on Rue du Portugal at entrance to Medina, you can just about see Hebrew on the graves over the cemetery wall. Otherwise the cemetery is not marked except on all city maps. All locals seem to know it. The gate was ajar. Upon knocking, a gatekeeper did come and answer. The cemetery is surrounded by a continuous masonry wall and a locking gate. The large cemetery probably contains at least 1,000 graves. Tombstones, probably dating from the 16th century, are flat, shaped stones and double tombstones with Sephardic inscriptions. Some have metal fences around graves with inscriptions in English and Hebrew. The present owner of the cemetery property is the municipality. Properties adjacent to the cemetery are mostly shops. Apparently, formally no access is allowed, but after asking if we were Jewish, the gatekeeper allowed brief access. The condition is very poor with grass overgrown and many older graves cracked or toppled. The caretaker is paid by the government. A caretaker's house exists but is not used by the caretaker. Weather erosion is a very serious threat. The vegetation overgrowth in the cemetery is a constant problem, disturbing stones. Water drainage at the cemetery is a constant problem, disturbing tombstones or graves.
Nick Johnston This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.: visited the site on 19 April 2007 and completed the survey. He and his wife spoke with the staff at the American Legation Museum, which is near the cemetery. They were unaware if the cemetery is formally closed to the public or not. Most locals seemed unsure. However, the gatekeepers allowed brief access so public access must be possible if those wanting to visit explain their reason for wanting access. [April 2007]
http://www.shalomlife.com/eng/12861/No_Danger_to_the_Jewish_
[June 2010]