Meet Rabbi Moshe Nahon
Rabbi Moshe Nahon, born in Madrid to Moroccan parents from Tangier, is a devoted preserver of Sephardic liturgy and traditions. Educated in London and New York, he served communities across North America for over two decades, including as Rabbi of Laval’s Sephardic congregation and chaplain in Montreal. A descendant of the 18th-century Rabbi Moshe Mimran, Rabbi Nahon is fluent in four languages and renowned for his deep knowledge of Moroccan nusach, piyutim, and minhagim. He documents and shares this heritage globally through recordings, writings, and his popular forum “Eznoga.”
The Nahon Shul
The Moshe Nahon Synagogue, nestled within Tangier's historic medina, is a beautifully restored symbol of the city’s once-flourishing Jewish presence. Founded in the 19th century by Moïse Nahon, a respected Jewish educator and leader, the synagogue features exquisite Andalusian-Moroccan architecture—ornate stucco walls, carved wooden elements, and vibrant stained-glass windows. Though it fell into neglect during the latter half of the 20th century, it was lovingly restored in 1994 and now functions as both a museum and an active place of worship. Its preservation reflects Morocco’s broader efforts to honor its Jewish heritage, offering a window into the cultural, spiritual, and social life of Tangier’s Jewish community at its peak.
Singing Our Story: The Legacy of Piyutim
Piyutim—sacred liturgical poems—are a cornerstone of Sephardic spiritual and cultural life. Rooted in the traditions of Jews from the Iberian Peninsula and enriched across centuries in North Africa and the Middle East, these poetic hymns blend devotion, history, and artistry. Sung in Ladino, Hebrew, or Arabic-inflected dialects, they mark holidays, lifecycle events, and weekly rituals, creating a profound communal experience through voice and memory.
More than music, piyutim embody the spiritual resilience and rich poetic heritage of Sephardic Jewry. Their melodies, passed down orally and adapted across generations, sustain identity, transmit Torah values, and continue to unite communities in shared emotion and faith.
