Reimagining Memory: Public History and the Reconstruction of Moroccan Jewish Heritage Landscapes

This paper examines the evolving role of public history in reshaping the historiography of Moroccan Jewry in Morocco, with particular attention to grassroots heritage initiatives, digital platforms, and the restoration of Jewish sites. Drawing on multidisciplinary methods – including fieldwork, ethnographic interviews, and architectural conservation – the study explores how public history fosters community-driven knowledge production, emotional engagement, and cultural continuity. The Atlas and Sahara Jewish-Muslim Heritage project serves as a central case study, demonstrating the integration of local expertise, diasporic memory, and inclusive narrative reframing. To contextualize these developments, the paper juxtaposes the Jewish experience with parallel processes of Amazigh cultural revival, revealing a broader postcolonial reconfiguration of historical representation in Morocco. The discussion integrates theoretical insights from public-history literature, emphasizing its potential to navigate difficult histories, promote historical justice, and renegotiate collective identity. Ultimately, this study argues that public history in Morocco operates as a cultural and political intervention, not merely preserving marginalized pasts but actively shaping future imaginaries.