Moroccan Jewish communities mourn Zanon

The Council of Moroccan Jewish Communities and the Casablanca Jewish Community mourned Maurice Zanon, who was “a prominent member, responsible for Moroccan Jewish culture within his community.”

In an official obituary issued by the Moroccan community, Serge Berdugo, Secretary General of the Council of Moroccan Jewish Communities, said that the deceased “was social, effective, loyal, charitable, and humble. Dr. Maurice Zanon will leave within his community and the health administration the memory of a man of duty, a seeker of effective consensus.”

Berdugo continued that Zanon’s “sudden departure” is “a loss for Moroccan Judaism” and a “painful” date for the community.

It is noteworthy that Maurice Zanon, who served as head of the health preservation service in Casablanca, was previously decorated by King Mohammed VI with the Order of the Throne, Knight rank.

The deceased, who was 67 years old, was a native of the city of Fakih Ben Salah. He obtained a doctorate in medicine from Hassan II University in Casablanca, and continued his specialization in Bordeaux, France. During his career, he held medical and cultural positions in the country, including heading a health and health monitoring department, managing a social center in Tit Mellil, and the Moroccan Jewish culture file in the Council of Jewish Communities of the Kingdom.

In response to a question about his return to settle in Morocco after studying his specialization in France, the deceased said in a dialogue in Moroccan dialect with Zahra Rahihil, curator of the Moroccan Jewish Cultural Heritage Museum in Casablanca, that he was the firstborn of his family, and he wanted to be with his mother; and “you must return to your tent (…) My goal was to return to the country, to work and settle in the country.”